Area & Cost Calculators

A common rule of thumb for finishing work (flooring, wall tiling, painting) is a 30:70 to 40:60 labor-to-material ratio, meaning materials account for the larger share. For structural work like concrete or brickwork, labor can climb to 40–50 % of the total because of formwork, scaffolding, and curing time. These ratios vary by region and market conditions, so get at least two local contractor quotes to calibrate your estimate.

Rates depend heavily on the material. As a rough guide: basic ceramic tiles run $1–3/sq ft installed, porcelain tiles $3–6/sq ft, engineered wood $4–8/sq ft, and natural stone $6–15/sq ft. These include both material and labor in most markets. The calculator on this page lets you enter your own rate so the estimate matches your local pricing — always use a quote from your actual supplier rather than generic numbers for final budgeting.

Multiply square feet by 0.0929 to get square meters, or multiply square meters by 10.764 to get square feet. For quick mental math: 100 sq ft ≈ 9.3 m², and 10 m² ≈ 107.6 sq ft. Most construction drawings in South Asia use square feet while international specs use square meters — double-check which unit your rate is quoted in before plugging it into a calculator.

Yes. Adding a waste factor of 5–10 % on top of net material quantities accounts for cutting losses, breakage during transport, and minor measurement tolerances. Apply the factor to the material cost only, not the labor cost — your workers are paid for actual hours, not for wasted material. For budgeting, it is better to present the client with a line item for contingency (5–10 % of total) rather than inflating every unit rate, as this is more transparent.