Rate Analysis from DSR — 10 Worked Examples (RCC, Plaster, Brickwork, Steel)
Rate analysis is the engine of every BoQ. CPWD's DSR 2023 publishes ~13,000 priced rates, each built from a four-component buildup: materials + labour + tools/plant + contractor's profit and overhead (CP&OH at 15%). If you can do rate analysis correctly for ten common items, you can defend any BoQ — and catch the inevitable contractor markup.
This article walks through ten of the most-tendered items in Indian civil works, showing the full buildup for each. Numbers are based on DSR 2023 with a few adjustments where market reality has moved (we'll flag those). Use this as a template; substitute your project's lead, lift, and current material rates as needed.
The Universal Formula
Rate = (Materials + Labour + T&P) × 1.15
That 1.15 is CP&OH — Contractor's Profit and Overhead, fixed at 15%. Wastage is added inside the materials line at industry-standard percentages: cement 5%, steel 3%, bricks 8%, sand & aggregate 10%. See our Wastage Factors guide for sources.
Example 1 — 1 m³ of M25 RCC in Slab
The single most-cited rate in any building tender. Mix proportion 1 : 1 : 2 (cement : sand : aggregate) by design (per IS 10262); dry volume factor 1.54.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement (OPC 43, IS 8112) | 340 kg ≈ 6.8 bags + 5% wastage = 7.14 bags | ₹390/bag | 2,785 |
| Coarse sand | 0.42 m³ + 10% = 0.46 m³ | ₹2,200/m³ | 1,012 |
| 20mm aggregate | 0.85 m³ + 10% = 0.94 m³ | ₹1,850/m³ | 1,739 |
| Water | 180 L | included | — |
| Mason (skilled) | 0.60 day | ₹600/day | 360 |
| Mazdoor (helper) | 3.50 days | ₹450/day | 1,575 |
| Mixer + vibrator hire | 0.10 day | ₹3,500/day | 350 |
| Subtotal | 7,821 | ||
| +15% CP&OH | 1,173 | ||
| Final rate per m³ M25 RCC | ₹8,994 |
Add steel separately — IS 1786 Fe500D rebar is paid per quintal under a different DSR sub-head. Typical RCC slab consumes 80–120 kg/m³.
Example 2 — 1 m³ of PCC (M15)
Plinth and footing bedding. Mix 1 : 2 : 4. Simpler and cheaper than RCC.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement | 4.4 bags + 5% = 4.62 bags | ₹390/bag | 1,802 |
| Sand | 0.46 m³ (incl. wastage) | ₹2,200/m³ | 1,012 |
| Aggregate (40mm) | 0.94 m³ (incl. wastage) | ₹1,650/m³ | 1,551 |
| Mason | 0.40 day | ₹600/day | 240 |
| Mazdoor | 2.50 days | ₹450/day | 1,125 |
| Mixer + tamper | 0.08 day | ₹3,000/day | 240 |
| Subtotal | 5,970 | ||
| +15% | 896 | ||
| Final rate per m³ M15 PCC | ₹6,866 |
Example 3 — 1 m² Cement Plaster (12 mm thick, 1:4 mix)
Internal wall plaster, single coat. Per IS 1542.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement | 0.0042 m³ × 1.30 (dry vol) × 1440 kg/m³ ÷ 5 (mix factor) = 4.0 kg + 5% = 4.2 kg | ₹7.8/kg | 32.8 |
| Sand | 0.0168 m³ + 10% = 0.0185 m³ | ₹2,200/m³ | 40.7 |
| Mason | 0.075 day | ₹600/day | 45.0 |
| Mazdoor | 0.25 day | ₹450/day | 112.5 |
| Sundries (curing water, scaffolding) | — | — | 15.0 |
| Subtotal | 246.0 | ||
| +15% | 36.9 | ||
| Final rate per m² plaster | ₹283 |
External plaster (15–20 mm) is ~₹340–410/m². Smooth-finish (1:3) 6 mm is ~₹165/m².
Example 4 — 1 m³ Brickwork in 1:6 Cement Mortar
9-inch wall, super-structure. Brick dimension 230 × 110 × 70 mm; 500 bricks per m³ of finished wall.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks (Class A, IS 1077) | 500 + 8% = 540 nos | ₹9.5/brick | 5,130 |
| Mortar (1:6) — cement | 1.4 bags + 5% = 1.47 bags | ₹390/bag | 574 |
| Mortar — sand | 0.30 m³ (incl. 10% wastage) | ₹2,200/m³ | 660 |
| Mason | 0.55 day | ₹600/day | 330 |
| Mazdoor | 1.20 days | ₹450/day | 540 |
| Subtotal | 7,234 | ||
| +15% | 1,085 | ||
| Final rate per m³ brickwork | ₹8,319 |
For 4.5-inch wall the rate per m² is ~₹980; for fly-ash brick substitute, deduct ₹500–700 per m³ on materials.
Example 5 — 1 quintal (100 kg) Steel Reinforcement
Cutting, bending, placing, tying — for Fe500D TMT bars per IS 1786. Material cost is paid separately at the procurement rate; this rate covers fabrication only.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting + bending (mason) | 0.40 day | ₹600/day | 240 |
| Mazdoor (assistant + lifting) | 0.65 day | ₹450/day | 293 |
| Binding wire | 0.5 kg | ₹85/kg | 43 |
| Spacers, chairs | — | lump | 50 |
| Wastage allowance (3% on steel value) | — | on ₹6,800 | 204 |
| Subtotal (fabrication) | 830 | ||
| +15% | 125 | ||
| Fabrication per quintal | ₹955 | ||
| + Steel material | ₹6,800/qntl | 6,800 | |
| Final all-in rate per quintal | ₹7,755 |
Example 6 — 1 m² Vitrified Tile Flooring (600 × 600 mm)
2 ft × 2 ft tile, laid on 20 mm cement mortar bed (1:4) with 12 mm tile thickness. Per IS 15622.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitrified tiles | 1.05 m² (5% wastage) | ₹65/m² | 68 |
| Bedding mortar — cement | 0.27 bags | ₹390/bag | 105 |
| Bedding mortar — sand | 0.020 m³ | ₹2,200/m³ | 44 |
| White cement (joint filling) | 0.30 kg | ₹40/kg | 12 |
| Mason | 0.20 day | ₹600/day | 120 |
| Mazdoor | 0.30 day | ₹450/day | 135 |
| Subtotal | 484 | ||
| +15% | 73 | ||
| Final rate per m² | ₹557 |
For premium tiles (₹120–200/m²) add the differential directly to materials. For glazed ceramic (₹40/m²), subtract the differential.
Example 7 — 1 m³ Earthwork in Excavation (Hard / Dense Soil)
Manual excavation up to 1.5 m depth, all soils except rock. Rate analysis assumes wheelbarrow disposal up to 30 m. Per IS 1200 Part 1.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazdoor | 1.10 days | ₹450/day | 495 |
| Beldar (gangmate) | 0.20 day | ₹500/day | 100 |
| Tools, sundries | — | 3% of labour | 18 |
| Subtotal | 613 | ||
| +15% | 92 | ||
| Final rate per m³ | ₹705 |
For machine excavation (excavator hire), rate drops to ₹250–350/m³ (20–50% of manual). For rock excavation, rate jumps to ₹1,800–2,400/m³ (chiselling) or ₹2,800+/m³ (controlled blasting).
Example 8 — 1 m² Painting (2 coats Emulsion + 1 coat Primer)
Standard wall finishing on plastered surface.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primer (cement primer) | 0.10 L | ₹220/L | 22 |
| Emulsion paint (2 coats) | 0.18 L | ₹240/L | 43 |
| Putty (skim coat) | 0.4 kg | ₹35/kg | 14 |
| Painter (skilled) | 0.08 day | ₹650/day | 52 |
| Mazdoor (helper, scaffolding) | 0.06 day | ₹450/day | 27 |
| Subtotal | 158 | ||
| +15% | 24 | ||
| Final rate per m² painting | ₹182 |
Example 9 — 1 m² Doors / Windows (Aluminium Sliding, 2-track)
Standard 2-track aluminium sliding window with 5 mm clear glass.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium sections (anodised) | 3.5 kg | ₹360/kg | 1,260 |
| 5 mm clear glass | 0.95 m² | ₹250/m² | 238 |
| Hardware (rollers, locks, runners) | 1 set | — | 650 |
| EPDM gasket + sealant | 1 m | — | 120 |
| Skilled fabricator | 0.30 day | ₹700/day | 210 |
| Helper | 0.30 day | ₹450/day | 135 |
| Subtotal | 2,613 | ||
| +15% | 392 | ||
| Final rate per m² | ₹3,005 |
For 3-track sliding (security upgrade) add ~25%. For powder-coated (vs anodised) substitute aluminium rate to ₹390/kg.
Example 10 — 1 Running Metre RCC Pipe Laying (DN 300, IS 458 NP3)
RCC NP3 spun pipe for storm drains, sewers. Includes excavation 1.2 m deep, bedding, jointing, backfilling.
| Component | Quantity | Rate | Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCC NP3 pipe DN 300 | 1 m | ₹420/m | 420 |
| Excavation 1.2 m × 0.6 m × 1 m = 0.72 m³ | 0.72 m³ | ₹705/m³ (Ex.7) | 508 |
| Bedding sand | 0.06 m³ | ₹2,200/m³ | 132 |
| Mortar collar (joint) | 0.4 bags cement | ₹390/bag | 156 |
| Backfill compaction (mazdoor) | 0.30 day | ₹450/day | 135 |
| Plumber (jointing) | 0.10 day | ₹650/day | 65 |
| Mason | 0.10 day | ₹600/day | 60 |
| Subtotal | 1,476 | ||
| +15% | 221 | ||
| Final rate per m | ₹1,697 |
Adjusting Rate Analysis for Your Project
Material Price Updates
The most common rate analysis adjustment is updating material rates to current market. The DSR 2023 cement rate (₹390) was set at late-2022 market. As of 2026 most regions see ₹400–430. Update Appendix A inputs and recompute.
InfraLens publishes live cement prices, live steel, and 11 other material categories across 50 cities — use those for current Appendix A input.
Lead and Lift
DSR base rates assume ≤ 50 km lead and ≤ 1.5 m lift. Beyond that, add per-km surcharge from CPWD General Specifications. Common error: forgetting that aggregate has a higher per-km lead surcharge than cement (it's heavier and bulkier).
Regional Labour Rates
DSR labour rates use Delhi minimum-wage scale (~₹450 mazdoor / ₹600 mason in 2023). Different in:
- Kerala — mason ₹1,100–1,500/day (~2× DSR)
- Mumbai — mason ₹800–1,000/day
- Bihar / UP rural — mason ₹450–600/day
- NE states — varies widely; track per-state SOR
Wastage Realism
If your site has poor storage (open stockyard, monsoon exposure), bump cement wastage to 7–8%, brick to 10–12%. Conservative wastage saves money on the back end of the project even if it appears expensive in BoQ.
FAQ
Why does my contractor's rate not match the DSR rate?
Three usual reasons: (a) they're using a more recent market rate for materials; (b) they're including indirect site overheads (security, electricity, water connections) that DSR doesn't capture as separate items; (c) they're loading a real margin above the 15% CP&OH for risk on small/short-duration jobs. A 5–12% gap is normal; > 20% means you should ask for the rate buildup.
How do I do rate analysis for an item not in DSR?
Build it from scratch: list all materials with quantities + wastage, list all labour with productivity (Appendix B has CPWD productivity rates), add 1–3% T&P, then 15% CP&OH. Cross-check against any similar item already in DSR for sanity.
What's the difference between rate analysis and rate fixation?
Rate analysis = computing the rate from first principles (the buildup shown above). Rate fixation = the procurement department's decision on the final rate to apply in a specific tender (which may include negotiated discounts or premiums on the analyzed rate).
Do I include GST in rate analysis?
No — DSR rates are GST-exclusive. GST is added separately in the BoQ summary. See our GST on SOR Items guide for tender BoQ format.
Can I share the rate analysis with my contractor?
Yes — that's the whole point. Sharing the buildup keeps the contractor honest and gives them an audit trail. Most professional contractors will appreciate seeing the math; the ones who push back are usually padding.
Related
DSR 2023 Complete Guide · SOR Editions Tracker · SOR for Tender Preparation · Wastage Factors · GST on SOR Items