What published per square foot figures say, and why to be careful
Builder and estimator websites publish per square foot figures, and they do not agree:
| Source (2026) | Basic | Standard / mid | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liza Homes, Bengaluru construction cost breakdown (March 2026) | ₹115–165 / sq ft | ₹165–255 / sq ft | ₹255–440 / sq ft |
| Construction Estimator India, all-India rates | ₹75–110 / sq ft | ₹130–220 / sq ft | ₹320–550+ / sq ft |
The second source says metros such as Bengaluru run 10–20% above smaller cities, and quotes labour of ₹25–60 per point for North India. Neither figure is a Karnataka market rate, and they include different things: some include light fittings and fans, some do not. Treat them as a sanity check only. Prices also move with copper prices, brand and city: a Mysuru or Kalaburagi labour rate will not match Whitefield.
How to estimate from quantities
- 1Make the point list room by room
Lights, fans, 6 A and 16 A sockets, AC, geyser, kitchen, outside, pump.
- 2Group points into circuits
Lighting, sockets, each AC, geyser, kitchen, pump. Each circuit gets its own MCB.
- 3Estimate wire per circuit
DB to farthest point, plus drops to each box, times the number of conductors (phase, neutral, earth).
- 4Convert to coils and conduit lengths
Wire comes in 90 m coils; conduit in fixed lengths with bends and boxes.
- 5Add DB, MCBs, RCCB, isolator, switches, sockets, earthing
- ✓Add labour, testing, ESCOM application and contingency
For the point list, our house construction electrical guide has a room-by-room table. A practical way to estimate wire: walk the route on the plan from the DB to the farthest point of the circuit, add 1–1.5 m for each drop into a switch or socket box, multiply by three for phase, neutral and earth, then add 10% for wastage and terminations. Divide by 90 to get coils, size by size.
| Worked example: one bedroom lighting circuit | Metres |
|---|---|
| Route from DB to the farthest light on the plan | 12 |
| Drops into 6 boxes (switchboard, lights, fan) at about 1.25 m each | 7.5 |
| Run length | 19.5 |
| Times 3 conductors (phase, neutral, earth) | 58.5 |
| Plus 10% for wastage and terminations | about 64 m of 1.5 sq mm, or 0.7 of a coil |
Repeat for each circuit and add up by size. Then multiply the coils by the price your shop quotes for the brand you chose. Shared conduit runs reduce the conduit count but not the wire. The figures in this example are for the method only; your house will differ.
Costs people forget in a wiring budget: wall chasing and patching by the mason, the meter and service cable (new ESCOM connections in many areas now come with a smart meter, whose price was challenged in the Karnataka High Court, so ask your ESCOM for the current cost), the ESCOM's own connection charges and deposit, light fittings and fans if not in the quote, the inverter wiring, and the gate light, pump and CCTV runs outside.
Reading a quotation line by line
Ask every contractor to quote in the same format. Then you can compare the rates instead of the totals.
| Item | Unit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Wire 1.5 sq mm (lights, fans) | Coils of 90 m | Brand, FR or FRLS, ISI mark, copper |
| Wire 2.5 sq mm (6/16 A sockets) | Coils | Same brand as above; earth wire included? |
| Wire 4 sq mm / 6 sq mm (AC, geyser, mains) | Coils or metres | Sized for run length and load |
| PVC conduit, bends, boxes | Lengths and numbers | Medium or heavy gauge, ISI marked |
| Distribution board | Each | Number of ways, with spare ways |
| MCBs, isolator, RCCB or RCBO | Each | Ratings, curve, brand, ISI mark |
| Modular switches, sockets, plates | Each | Brand and range named, not "standard" |
| Earthing | Per pit | Type of electrode, number of pits, test included |
| Labour | Per point or lump sum | What counts as a point; is chasing included? |
| Testing, test report, ESCOM work | Lump sum | Signed by a licensed contractor |
Multiply your own quantities by each contractor's rates. A quote that is low only because it has fewer coils or no RCCB is not a cheaper rate; it is a smaller job.
What drives the cost
- Number of points. The biggest single factor. Every extra socket brings wire, a box, a plate and labour.
- Concealed vs surface wiring. Concealed needs slab conduits and wall chasing, and must be planned before plastering.
- Single-phase vs three-phase. Three-phase means a larger DB, more MCBs and a Class 2 licensed contractor.
- Wire type and brand. FRLS and HFFR wires cost more than plain FR; branded wires vary widely.
- Switch range. Modular switch ranges differ several-fold in price for the same function.
- Protection. RCBOs on each circuit cost more than one RCCB for a group of circuits.
- Earthing and lightning protection. Pits, electrodes and testing; see our lightning protection guide.
- Future-proofing. Spare conduits for rooftop solar and EV charging cost little now and a lot later.
Paying in stages: what to inspect before each payment
Link every payment to a stage you can check. Here is what to look at before you release each one.
| Stage | Check before you pay |
|---|---|
| Slab conduiting | Rigid conduits of the agreed size, ends sealed, fan and light boxes fixed; photos of every slab taken before casting |
| Wall chasing and concealed conduits | Routes match the point plan; no chases cut across beams or columns; boxes level and at the agreed heights |
| Wiring pulled | Wire brand and sizes match the quotation; standard colours for phase, neutral and earth; an earth wire in every socket circuit; empty coil labels kept |
| DB, switches and sockets | Brands as quoted; MCB ratings match the wire sizes; RCCB fitted; every MCB labelled |
| Testing and handover | Insulation resistance and earth values written into a signed test report; RCCB trip-tested; documents for the ESCOM handed over |
A common arrangement is a small advance for materials, payments at each stage, and a final amount held back until the test report is signed and the meter is connected. Whatever you agree, write it into the quotation. Keep the empty coil labels and the material bills: they are your proof of the brand and quantity used. Our earthing and testing checklist shows what the final tests should cover, and the permanent connection guide lists what the ESCOM needs from your contractor.
ISI marks and BIS standards to check
- Wires: PVC insulated cables up to 1,100 V are covered by IS 694 and have been under compulsory BIS certification since 2003. The ISI mark and a CM/L licence number should be printed on the wire at intervals. You can check the licence number in the BIS Care app.
- MCBs: the old IS 8828 was superseded in 2008 by IS/IEC 60898-1. Many boxes still print both; the current one is what matters.
- RCCBs: IS 12640 (Part 1), aligned with IEC 61008-1.
- Check the coil length and conductor size on the label. A "90 m" coil that measures short is a common complaint.
Copper or aluminium?
For wiring inside a house, use copper. Aluminium needs a larger size for the same current, is softer and creeps at screw terminals, and its joints oxidise and loosen over time, which is how many old-house fires start. Switch and MCB terminals are designed around copper. Aluminium has its place in larger service cables and overhead lines, where lugs and joints are made with the right fittings. If your house has old aluminium wiring, plan to replace it rather than extend it.
Rewiring an old house costs more per point than new construction, because walls have to be chased and patched, old conduits are often blocked or too small, and the house may be occupied during the work. Signs that rewiring is due rather than repairs: rubber or cloth-insulated wire, aluminium circuits, no earth wire to sockets, a fuse-board instead of MCBs, frequent burnt sockets, or an RCCB that cannot be made to hold because the insulation is weak everywhere. Ask the contractor to do an insulation resistance test first; it tells you whether you are buying a repair or a rewire.
The legal minimum is also clear on protection: Regulation 44 of the CEA 2023 regulations requires a residual current device of not more than 30 mA in domestic installations. Budget for it; it is not an optional extra. See MCB, RCCB and RCBO explained.
Before you accept a quotation
Check the contractor's licence first; see electrical contractor licence in Karnataka.
Rules, fees and amounts change from time to time. This article explains how things work in practice in Karnataka. Before you act, confirm the current rule with the jurisdictional office of the Department of Electrical Inspectorate, your ESCOM subdivision (BESCOM, MESCOM, CESC Mysuru, HESCOM or GESCOM), the Seva Sindhu portal or the helpline 1912.
Questions
What is the house wiring cost per square foot in Karnataka in 2026?
Published 2026 figures range widely, for example ₹165–255 per sq ft for a standard package in Bengaluru according to one builder, and ₹130–220 per sq ft for mid-range work in an all-India estimate. Costs vary by city, brand and number of points, so estimate from your own point list.
How many wire coils are needed for a house?
Work it out circuit by circuit: route length from the DB, plus drops into each box, times three conductors, plus about 10% wastage, divided by 90 m per coil.
Which ISI standard applies to house wires?
PVC insulated wires up to 1,100 V are covered by IS 694 and need compulsory BIS certification. Check the ISI mark and CM/L number on the wire.
Is IS 8828 still the standard for MCBs?
IS 8828 was superseded in 2008 by IS/IEC 60898-1, which is the current standard for household MCBs.
Should I use copper or aluminium wire at home?
Copper. Aluminium needs bigger sizes, loosens at terminals and its joints oxidise, which raises fire risk in house wiring.
Is labour charged per point or per square foot?
Both are used. Ask what counts as a point and whether wall chasing, conduiting and testing are included, then compare like with like.
Sources
Rules and figures in this article were checked against these sources on 30 Sep 2026. Schemes and tariffs change, so confirm with the official office before you act.
- House construction cost breakdown per sq ft Bengaluru 2026 (Liza Homes)
- Electrical work cost per square foot in India, 2026 (Construction Estimator India)
- BIS certification for PVC insulated cables IS 694 (Agile Regulatory)
- IS 694 standard: what wire buyers must know in 2026 (Elmeck Cables)
- IS 8828:1996 superseded by IS/IEC 60898-1 (Intertek Inform)
- IS 12640 (Part 1) RCCB product manual (BIS)
- CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023 - Gazette
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