Shed and Warehouse Construction Cost per Sq Ft in India (2026)

Shed construction cost in India is reported at ₹450–₹800 per sq ft for the steel frame and sheeting alone: ₹450–₹750 for a PEB shed and ₹500–₹800 for a conventional hot-rolled steel shed, before GST (Jadro Steel, 13 October 2026). Foundations, floor and services come on top.

A PEB warehouse with foundations and a basic floor is reported at ₹900–₹1,500 per sq ft: ₹900–₹1,200 for a basic turnkey warehouse and ₹1,100–₹1,500 for a standard logistics warehouse (Uno Structures, 14 September 2026). A traditional RCC warehouse is reported at ₹1,800–₹3,200 per sq ft, excluding land (Kishore Industries, published 5 September 2025, now headed as a 2026 guide). Each band prices a different scope; they are not competing quotes for one building.

Compare quotes only against the same drawings and inclusion list. The worked 60 m × 30 m example below shows how quantities turn into a budget. For your own building, get a warehouse or industrial shed BOQ from drawings.

Cost per sq ft by shed and warehouse structure type#

Reported rates run from ₹450 per sq ft for a PEB frame with sheeting to ₹3,200 for an RCC warehouse; each band covers a different package, so match the scope before you compare.

Sources and dates: the first two rows are from Jadro Steel's factory-shed guide, dated 13 October 2026. It assumes a shed of about 10,000 sq ft or more, a 20–30 m clear span and 6–8 m eaves, with prices before GST. The next two rows are from Uno Structures, 14 September 2026. The RCC row is from Kishore Industries, 5 September 2025, whose page heading now says 2026. All are supplier guides, checked 21 October 2026, not verified contract prices.

PEB shell prices vary between suppliers too. EPACK's guide dated 7 October 2026 reports roughly ₹500–₹650 per sq ft for steel frame, roofing and wall cladding, usually excluding foundation and flooring. Do not average it with a turnkey rate.

An RCC frame warehouse may still have steel roof trusses and metal sheets. Write down the actual roof system; “RCC warehouse” alone does not tell you whether a quotation includes an RCC roof slab.

The inclusion list to attach to every enquiry#

FM2 is a surface-regularity classification; VDF means vacuum-dewatered flooring, a construction process. Specifying VDF does not by itself establish FM2 compliance. Record the required TR34 edition, survey method and acceptance criteria. See Face Consultants' TR34 fourth-edition classification guidance.

Why two sheds of the same area cost differently#

Span, eave height, loads and ground conditions change quantities even when the floor area is identical.

• Clear span: a column-free production hall needs a different frame from a multi-bay store with internal columns. Compare the same operational layout.
• Eave height: more height adds wall area and changes frame and bracing demands. Clear height under a haunch or crane is not the same as eave height.
• Crane loads: give the engineer wheel loads, duty class, surge forces and future crane requirements. Crane girders, brackets, columns and foundations need coordinated design.
• Wind location: wind load is designed to IS 875 (Part 3):2015 from the site's basic wind speed, terrain, building height and wall openings. A seismic zone does not tell you the wind load.
• Floor loading: rack legs and forklift wheel loads need attention alongside the distributed load. Thickness, reinforcement, sub-base, joints and tolerances come from the floor design.
• Soil and levels: bearing capacity, settlement, uplift, water table and the fill needed to reach finished floor level can move the civil cost sharply.

When any of these change, ask for revised quantities; a flat percentage surcharge does not capture them. EPACK's guide also lists span, load requirements, envelope specification and location among its main price drivers.

Worked example: a 60 m × 30 m PEB warehouse#

This example comes to a partial budget of ₹1,33,46,211.23, about ₹689 per sq ft of plan area, for the steel frame, roof and wall sheets, floor concrete, floor rebar material and an assumed footing allowance. It is not a turnkey price or a structural design. The rates are points chosen inside the cited bands, not quotes for this building, and doors, gutters, floor finishing, services and site works are still to be priced.

The assumed building is a single-storey rectangle, 60 m long and 30 m wide, with 8 m eaves, a symmetrical 1:10 roof slope, no overhang, no mezzanine and no crane. Assume full-height metal wall cladding, two 5 m × 5 m shutter openings and two 1 m × 2 m personnel-door openings. No masonry dado, other openings or rooflights are assumed.

Plan area = 60 × 30 = 1,800 m². Using 1 sq ft = 0.09290304 m², that is 19,375.04 sq ft, rounded to two decimals. Floor area is the denominator for the eventual per-sq-ft figure; it is not the roof-and-wall sheeting area.

1. Structural steel quantity#

AAA Infra Corp's steel-quantity guide, published 24 August and updated 27 August 2026, reports 35–45 kg/m² for a standard warehouse. Its structural tonnage excludes roof/wall sheets, gutters, fasteners and foundation reinforcement.

This example takes 40 kg/m² of plan area, the midpoint of that range:

• Total structural steel = 1,800 × 40 = 72,000 kg = 72 t.
• Illustrative primary-member allocation = 1,800 × 30 = 54,000 kg.
• Illustrative secondary-member allocation = 1,800 × 10 = 18,000 kg.

The split is an estimating assumption, not a vendor design. Replace both weights with the manufacturer's checked schedule before ordering. Do not apply the steel intensity to the sheeting area or price PEB fabricated steel using a TMT bar rate.

2. Roof and wall sheeting#

The half-span is 15 m. At 1:10 slope, ridge rise above the eaves = 15 ÷ 10 = 1.5 m.

The walls are the full perimeter at eave height, plus the two gable-end triangles up to the ridge, less the two shutters (2 × 25 m²) and two doors (2 × 2 m²): 1,440 + 45 − 50 − 4 = 1,431 m². These are net geometric areas. The roof quantity is rounded to two decimals before pricing below. Purchasing needs the supplier's effective cover width, sheet lengths, laps and cutting layout; do not add an unexplained waste percentage to measured work. The assumed two eave gutters total 2 × 60 = 120 m, but downpipe number and size need a drainage design. Gutters, ridge flashings and opening trims are outside the sheeting amount below.

3. Floor slab and reinforcement#

Assumption: a 150 mm concrete floor, for the arithmetic only:

• Concrete = 1,800 × 0.150 = 270 m³.
• Assumption: 18,000 m of 12 mm bar in total. This round figure equals one layer of 12 mm bars at 200 mm spacing both ways (10 m of bar per m²) before laps; it is not a floor design.
• Using the nominal estimating formula d²/162 kg/m, steel = 18,000 × 12² ÷ 162 = 16,000 kg = 16 t.

Laps, chairs, dowels, edge details and cutting waste are not included. The floor engineer must set the grade, thickness, reinforcement system and joints for the subgrade, racks and traffic. The BBS guide explains how to replace an allowance with scheduled bar marks and lengths.

4. Rates used, with their scope and dates#

Every rate below has a source. Where the source gives a range, the example picks a point inside it: 40 kg/m² and ₹20/kg erection are the midpoints, while ₹80/kg and ₹70/kg sit in the upper half of their bands. None is a quote for this building.

• Fabricated primary steel: ₹80/kg, selected within AAA Infra Corp's reported ₹65–₹85/kg. Secondary steel: ₹70/kg, within its reported ₹55–₹75/kg. The guide includes material, fabrication, surface preparation and primer; transport, final coatings, bolts and erection need separate scope checks.
• Erection: ₹20/kg, selected within the same guide's reported ₹15–₹25/kg. Confirm crane/equipment scope separately. Source: AAA Infra Corp, published 1 July, updated 8 July 2026. We use its individual rows, not its ambiguously scoped “complete package” row.
• Roof and wall sheeting: ₹738.65/m². This is a government schedule rate, not a market quote: CPWD DSR item 12.50 as listed in ESIC's 2025–26 repair and maintenance estimate for its Sanathnagar, Hyderabad campus, PDF page 14. It covers supply and fixing of precoated galvanised iron profile sheets, 0.50 mm total coated thickness, with self-drilling screws, excluding purlins, rafters and trusses. That estimate adds an 11% cost index on top of DSR rates; this example uses the base rate. Galvalume or insulated panels cost differently, so get a current local quote for your specification.
• M30 RMC: ₹5,900/m³ before GST, Building Needs' listed Chennai rate dated 21 October 2026, recorded on our RMC price page, checked 21 October 2026. Pumping and delivery may be extra. Original supplier listing.
• 12 mm TMT: ₹52.50/kg, converted from Ayron Mart's reported Chennai rate of ₹52,500/t before GST, dated 19 October 2026, recorded on our steel rate page, checked 20 October 2026. Grade and brand are not specified; this is a material-budget reference pending an approved-grade quote. Cutting, bending, fixing and delivery are outside that rate. Original market report.

RMC already contains cement, sand and aggregate. Adding a separate cement-bag cost would double-count them. These references come from different dates, locations and supply scopes; a contractor must replace them with consistent project rates before issuing a total offer.

5. Quantity × rate abstract#

The sheeting amounts are rounded to paise. The partial total is ₹133.46 lakh, or approximately ₹688.84 per sq ft of plan area. Neither figure is a finished-warehouse rate.

The ₹15 lakh footing allowance is an assumed figure for this example, not a reported rate or a measured foundation cost. It provisionally stands for excavation, PCC, RCC footings/pedestals, their reinforcement and formwork, anchor-bolt installation, backfilling and foundation labour. It excludes piles and ground improvement. The geotechnical report, frame reactions, uplift and approved footing drawings must replace this allowance; no footing size or count has been inferred from floor area.

Still to price: plinth beams and filling, sub-base and membrane, floor pumping/placing, reinforcement fixing, joints and dowels, VDF or other finish, FM2 testing, gutters/downpipes, flashings, doors and shutters, structural fasteners, final paint, any excluded freight/lifting, electrical, fire protection, site drainage, roads, offices, professional fees and approvals. Land, racking and machinery are also outside this abstract. Carry each as a separate pending item rather than treating it as zero.

What changes the example most?#

A change in design quantity can matter more than negotiating a small rate reduction.

At the same assumed 30:10 primary-to-secondary weight split, the selected fabricated-plus-erection rate is (30 × 80 + 10 × 70) ÷ 40 + 20 = ₹97.50/kg. Moving the provisional intensity from 40 to 45 kg/m² adds 1,800 × 5 = 9,000 kg, costing 9,000 × ₹97.50 = ₹8,77,500, before any foundation changes. The actual member split can also change.

Increasing the illustrative floor thickness from 150 to 200 mm adds 1,800 × 0.050 = 90 m³. At the selected RMC rate, extra concrete supply alone is 90 × ₹5,900 = ₹5,31,000. This is arithmetic, not a recommendation to alter either design.

PEB versus conventional shed: which is cheaper?#

PEB is usually a little cheaper on reported rates: Jadro Steel gives ₹450–₹750 per sq ft for PEB frame and sheeting against ₹500–₹800 for conventional hot-rolled steel, and says PEB gives the best cost per sq ft for most factories above 10,000 sq ft. Conventional steel can still compete for a small, irregular shed or an extension that must match an existing frame.

For PEB, factory fabrication and site foundations can run in parallel after drawings are coordinated. For conventional trusses, local availability, fabrication capacity, welding/bolting details and transport distances may outweigh the benefit of tapered members. Price both designs against the same loads, clear space, coatings and envelope. No fixed saving percentage holds for every shed.

RCC deserves a separate comparison where multiple floors, heavy permanent partitions or the building's operation favour it. A house RCC rate is not a warehouse rate: spans, floor loading, height and roof system differ.

Lead time: ask for separate dates for design approval, anchor-bolt release, factory fabrication, dispatch, erection, floor completion and service commissioning. A quoted erection duration is not the time to an operational warehouse. Late changes to crane loads or openings can invalidate an early PEB schedule.

Design responsibility: name who owns the steel frame and connections, foundations, floor and their interfaces. The PEB supplier should issue approved reactions and anchor details to the civil designer. A conventional fabricator still needs an engineered design. A BOQ measures and prices the agreed design; it does not replace structural responsibility.

What a shed BOQ should contain#

A useful shed BOQ separates measured work from supplier packages and provisional sums, with the unit and drawing reference beside each item.

The BIS CED 44 standards programme identifies these measurement parts. Record the applicable edition and contractual deductions; this table is a trade map, not a substitute for those rules.

Also list gutters, downpipes, flashings and joints in metres with dimensions; shutters/doors in m² or numbers with sizes; anchor sets and dock equipment in numbers; and MEP equipment, cables and pipes in the relevant units. Agree how items already included in a PEB package are credited so they are not counted twice.

Use the BOQ meaning and format guide and downloadable construction BOQ Excel format. For reinforcement, use the steel grade and certification checks, BBS guide and unit weight of steel calculator. TMT reinforcement checks are separate from the PEB plate/section specifications and fabrication inspection.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the warehouse construction cost per sq ft in India in 2026?#

₹900–₹1,500 per sq ft is the reported band for a basic-to-standard turnkey PEB warehouse, and ₹1,800–₹3,200 for a traditional RCC warehouse, both excluding land. The steel frame and sheeting alone are reported at ₹450–₹800. Get a measured civil BOQ and a clearly scoped PEB offer before fixing the budget.

Is factory shed cost per sq ft the same as warehouse cost?#

No. Crane provision, higher eaves, insulated panels or a mezzanine move a shed into Jadro Steel's reported heavy industrial band of ₹2,000–₹2,800 per sq ft and above, against ₹1,300–₹2,000 for its standard turnkey shed. A factory may need crane girders, machine foundations, extraction, process services or vibration control. A warehouse may instead require demanding rack loads, docks and floor tolerances. Price the actual use, not just the building label.

Does a PEB shed cost include the floor and foundations?#

Usually not. EPACK's reported ₹500–₹650 per sq ft covers the steel frame, roofing and wall cladding and usually excludes foundation and flooring. Check the quotation, and ask explicitly about plinth filling, the floor build-up, joints, doors, gutters, fire protection and site drains.

Can I order steel using 40 kg/m²?#

No. 40 kg/m² is the midpoint of AAA Infra Corp's reported 35–45 kg/m² for a standard warehouse, used here for a budget only. Procurement needs the manufacturer's design, member schedule, connection details and approved scope. Keep foundation and floor reinforcement separate from structural PEB steel.

Can I use a house RCC calculator for a warehouse?#

It can help explain concrete, steel and formwork cost components, but it cannot size or price a warehouse frame reliably. Our RCC construction cost calculator uses house-frame assumptions. Warehouse quantities must come from the industrial building's drawings.

What should I send for a warehouse BOQ?#

Send the site and floor plans, sections/elevations, soil report, foundation drawings, PEB general arrangement and reactions or vendor schedule, floor specification, opening schedule and available drainage/MEP drawings. Missing design information should remain a stated provisional item.

Start with a warehouse and industrial shed BOQ from your drawings, or read how our BOQ-from-drawing service works. The desk can separate the civil quantities, vendor steel package and pending items so you can compare contractors on the same scope.