---
title: "Rate analysis: 12 mm plaster 1:3 ceiling"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:rate-plaster-12mm-1-3-ceiling"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/rate-plaster-12mm-1-3-ceiling
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Rate analysis: 12 mm plaster 1:3 ceiling

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 4: Analysis of Rates

- Asked in: 2073 Shrawan, 4 marks
- Video: [Rate Analysis of Plaster Work | Analysis of Rate for Plaster Work @CivilConstruction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qR8FVY8Sw) — CivilConstruction
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/rate-plaster-12mm-1-3-ceiling
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-4

## Question

Prepare an analysis of rate for 12 mm thick cement plaster (1:3) in ceiling per 10 m².

## Short answer

For 10 m² of 12 mm ceiling plaster (1:3), dry mortar 0.1524 m³ requires 1.097 bags cement and 0.1143 m³ sand. Direct cost NPR 5,027.05; with 15% overhead and 10% profit, total rate = NPR 6,283.82 per 10 m² (628.38/m²).

## Answer

Rates and labour norms below are illustrative (DUDBC-style norms; use the current District Rate and norms of the project area for a real estimate): cement NPR 1,000/bag, sand NPR 3,500/m³, 20 mm aggregate NPR 4,500/m³, skilled labour NPR 1,500/day, unskilled labour NPR 1,100/day, water lump sum, contractor's overhead 15% and profit 10% on direct cost (VAT excluded).

#### Quantities per 10 m²

- Wet mortar $= 10 \times 0.012 = 0.120$ m³; dry $= 1.27 \times 0.120 = 0.1524$ m³
- Cement $= 1/4 \times 0.1524 = 0.0381$ m³ $= 1.097$ bags; sand $= 3/4 \times 0.1524 = 0.1143$ m³
- Labour for ceiling (overhead work, about 25% more than wall plaster): mason 1.2 days, labourer 1.3 days; plus staging.

#### Analysis

| Item | Qty | Unit | Rate (NPR) | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---:|---|---:|---:|
| Cement | 1.097 | bag | 1,000.00 | 1,097.00 |
| Sand | 0.1143 | m³ | 3,500.00 | 400.05 |
| Skilled labour (mason) | 1.20 | day | 1,500.00 | 1,800.00 |
| Unskilled labour | 1.30 | day | 1,100.00 | 1,430.00 |
| Staging, water and curing (lump) | 1 | LS | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| **Direct cost** | | | | **5,027.05** |
| Contractor's overhead @ 15% | | | | 754.06 |
| Contractor's profit @ 10% | | | | 502.71 |
| **Total (rate per 10 m²)** | | | | **6,283.82** |

**Rate = NPR 6,283.82 per 10 m²** (NPR 628.38 per m²).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Why is labour for ceiling higher?
   A. Higher mortar
   B. Thicker
   C. Overhead work, about 25% more than wall
   D. Lift
   Answer: C. Output falls. (Key point: Ceiling labour)

2. What is added?
   A. Nothing
   B. Staging cost
   C. Extra cement
   D. VAT
   Answer: B. Plus 300 LS. (Key point: Staging)

3. Cement per 10 m^2?
   A. 1/4 x 0.1524 = 0.0381 m^3 = 1.097 bags
   B. 1/3 x 0.12
   C. 1/4 x 0.12
   D. 3/4 x 0.1524
   Answer: A. Dry 1.27 x 0.12. (Key point: Cement)

4. Per m^2?
   A. NPR 6,283.82
   B. NPR 502.71
   C. NPR 62.84
   D. NPR 628.38
   Answer: D. Divide by 10. (Key point: Rate)

## Close variants set in other exams

- [Rate analysis: 12.5 mm plaster 1:5, per m²](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Arate-plaster-12-5-1-5) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [Rate analysis: 20 mm plaster 1:4 per 100 m²](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Arate-plaster-20mm-1-4) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 4, asked 3×

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