Wall putty costs about ₹8–13 per sq ft with material and labour for two coats, going by reported 2026 rates. Labour alone is ₹5–8 per sq ft. These are HouseYog's ranges, updated 7 March 2026, not quotes. They are per sq ft of puttied wall or ceiling, not floor area.
The putty itself is the smaller part. Birla White lists a 40 kg bag of WallCare Putty at ₹1,150–1,175. At its published two-coat coverage, that is ₹1.34–1.82 per sq ft on a smooth plastered wall, so labour is most of the bill. Use the wall putty calculator for the kg, bags and material cost of your own walls.
Wall putty cost per sq ft: material vs labour#
A with-material rate covers the putty and its application; a labour-only rate leaves the putty with you. Primer, paint and wall repairs are separate items in both.
| Scope | Reported rate per sq ft | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Material + labour, two coats | ₹8–13 | HouseYog, 7 Mar 2026 |
| Labour only, including sanding | ₹5–8 | HouseYog, 7 Mar 2026 |
| Labour only, basic work | ₹8–15 | Birla White, 25 Sep 2026 |
| Labour only, premium finishing | ₹15–25 | Birla White, 25 Sep 2026 |
| Material only, cement-based putty | ₹3–5 | HouseYog, 7 Mar 2026 |
| Material only, acrylic or ready-mix putty | ₹4–6 | HouseYog, 7 Mar 2026 |
| Touch-up on a repaint, minor repairs only | ₹3–5 | HouseYog, 7 Mar 2026 |
Sources: HouseYog, wall putty cost, updated 7 March 2026 and Birla White's wall putty guide, 25 September 2026. Both were checked on 31 October 2026.
HouseYog also reports material + labour by city tier:
| City tier in the source | Reported material + labour per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Tier 1: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune | ₹10–15 |
| Tier 2: Patna, Ranchi, Jaipur, Lucknow | ₹9–13 |
| Tier 3: small cities and towns | ₹8–11 |
REPORTED rates are typical figures from one published source each. The two labour bands do not agree, so ask what the applicator includes: wetting the wall, sanding between coats, masking, ladders or scaffolding, and cleanup.
Wall putty price per kg and per bag in 2026#
White cement wall putty is reported at ₹22–27 a kg across seven large cities (InfraLens midpoints, 24 October 2026). Manufacturer list prices for 20 and 40 kg bags work out to ₹28.75–57.50 a kg, depending on the product and bag size.
| City | Reported midpoint per kg | Reported range per kg |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹25 | ₹19–30 |
| Mumbai | ₹27 | ₹21–32 |
| Bengaluru | ₹26 | ₹20–31 |
| Pune | ₹25 | ₹19–30 |
| Chennai | ₹23 | ₹18–28 |
| Hyderabad | ₹22 | ₹17–27 |
| Kolkata | ₹22 | ₹17–27 |
Source: InfraLens city price pages, dealer-to-retail ranges, updated 24 October 2026 (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata). The same pages list Birla Wall Putty ₹1 a kg above generic white cement putty in each of these cities, and JK Wall Putty level with it or ₹1 above. In Delhi, JK Wall Putty is ₹25 (₹19–31) and Birla Wall Putty ₹26 (₹20–31) a kg.
| Product and source | Pack | Listed price | Per kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birla White WallCare Putty, Birla White product page | 40 kg | ₹1,150–1,175 | ₹28.75–29.38 |
| Birla White WallCare Putty, Birla White product page | 20 kg | ₹625–700 | ₹31.25–35.00 |
| Asian Paints TruCare Wall Putty, MRP incl. taxes | 40 kg | ₹1,336 | ₹33.40 |
| Asian Paints TruCare Wall Putty, MRP incl. taxes | 20 kg | ₹800 | ₹40.00 |
| Asian Paints SmartCare Waterproofing Putty, MRP incl. taxes | 40 kg | ₹2,150 | ₹53.75 |
| Asian Paints SmartCare Waterproofing Putty, MRP incl. taxes | 20 kg | ₹1,150 | ₹57.50 |
| REPORTED: cement-based putty, HouseYog, 7 Mar 2026 | 20 kg | ₹650–900 | ₹32.50–45.00 |
Sources: Birla White WallCare Putty page (price in its FAQ), Asian Paints TruCare Wall Putty and Asian Paints SmartCare Waterproofing Putty. The manufacturer pages carry no date; we checked them on 31 October 2026. InfraLens's dealer prices sit below these list prices.
The 40 kg bag costs less per kg. Birla's WallCare is ₹28.75–29.38 a kg in the 40 kg bag and ₹31.25–35.00 in the 20 kg bag. Per kg: bag price ÷ bag weight.
Material cost per sq ft from coverage#
Material cost per sq ft = price per kg ÷ coverage in sq ft per kg. Published coverage is for two coats together, so use it once.
Our wall putty calculator uses these two data sheets:
| Data sheet | Two-coat coverage | Putty per 100 sq ft | Surface in the sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birla White WallCare | 1.5–2 m²/kg (16.15–21.53 sq ft/kg) | 4.65–6.19 kg | Smooth normal mortar wall |
| Asian Paints SmartCare Waterproof Wall Putty | 1–1.5 m²/kg (10.76–16.15 sq ft/kg) | 6.19–9.29 kg | Rough masonry, up to 1.5 mm total in two coats |
Sources: Birla White WallCare brochure and Asian Paints SmartCare information sheet VN17/11/2024, checked 21 October 2026. One m² is 10.7639 sq ft.
Put the prices above through them:
| Price per kg | Coverage used | Material per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| ₹25, InfraLens Delhi midpoint | Birla, 1.5–2 m²/kg | ₹1.16–1.55 |
| ₹19–30, InfraLens Delhi range | Birla, 1.5–2 m²/kg | ₹0.88–1.86 |
| ₹28.75–29.38, Birla WallCare 40 kg list price | Birla, 1.5–2 m²/kg | ₹1.34–1.82 |
| ₹53.75, SmartCare 40 kg MRP | SmartCare, 1–1.5 m²/kg | ₹3.33–4.99 |
The InfraLens price is for generic white cement putty. Pairing it with Birla's coverage is what the calculator does when you enter a rate and keep its default coverage. Check the sheet of the putty you actually buy.
On a smooth plastered wall, putty material comes to under ₹2 per sq ft at these prices. HouseYog's reported ₹3–5 is higher. A rough wall, a third coat or wastage raises the kg: at SmartCare's rough-masonry coverage and MRP, the material is ₹3.33–4.99 per sq ft.
For one room, take the calculator's default: 4 × 3 m, 3 m high, 2 m² of doors and windows. That is 2 × (4 + 3) × 3 − 2 = 40 m² of wall. At 1.5–2 m²/kg it needs 20–26.67 kg, so one 40 kg bag.
CPWD DSR 2023 and state SOR rates for wall putty#
CPWD DSR 2023 item 13.80, white cement putty of 1 mm average thickness, is ₹156.05 per sq m (₹14.50 per sq ft), including GST. The Maharashtra SSR 2022-23 rate for two coats of wall care putty is ₹90 per sq m (₹8.36 per sq ft), without GST.
| Schedule and item | Description | Per sq m | Per sq ft | GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPWD DSR 2023, 13.80 | White cement based putty, average thickness 1 mm, over the plastered wall surface | ₹156.05 | ₹14.50 | Included, with 1% cess |
| CPWD DSR 2023, 13.26 | Plaster of Paris putty, 2 mm thick, over plastered surface | ₹262.70 | ₹24.41 | Included, with 1% cess |
| Maharashtra PWD SSR 2022-23, 32.34 | Two coats of wall care putty on plastered surface, ceilings and walls | ₹90 | ₹8.36 | Excluded |
Rate per sq ft = rate per sq m ÷ 10.7639. Schedule rates are references for checking a quote, not a market price. Use the schedule your contract names.
How DSR 13.80 is built: labour vs material#
In CPWD's own analysis of DSR 13.80, labour is 67% of the base cost and putty is 24%. The CPWD Delhi Analysis of Rates 2023 prices 10 sq m:
| Input | Quantity per 10 sq m | Rate (₹) | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White cement based putty | 14.58 kg | 18.00 per kg | 262.44 |
| Carriage | LS | 8.85 | |
| Mason (for plaster of Paris work), 1st class | 0.45 day | 897 | 403.65 |
| Beldar | 0.45 day | 736 | 331.20 |
| Scaffolding and sundries | LS | 90.80 | |
| Total | 1,096.94 | ||
| Water charges, 1% | 10.97 | ||
| GST (multiplying factor 0.2127) | 235.65 | ||
| Contractor's profit and overheads, 15% | 201.53 | ||
| Cess, 1% | 15.45 | ||
| Cost of 10 sq m | 1,560.54 | ||
| Per sq m / per sq ft | 156.05 / 14.50 |
The mason and beldar lines come to ₹734.85, 67% of the ₹1,096.94 base. Putty is ₹262.44 (24%), carriage ₹8.85 (1%) and scaffolding ₹90.80 (8%). Before water charges, GST and overheads, labour is ₹734.85 per 10 sq m (₹6.83 per sq ft). Putty and carriage are ₹271.29 per 10 sq m (₹2.52 per sq ft).
The analysis takes 14.29 kg for 1 mm over 10 sq m and adds 2% wastage, giving 14.58 kg: 1.458 kg per sq m. That is 2.19–2.92 times the 0.50–0.67 kg per sq m of Birla's two-coat coverage. A "1 mm average" item and "two coats" are different specifications. Agree the thickness before you compare a quote with DSR.
The analysis prices putty at ₹18 a kg, a 2023 input. InfraLens reports ₹25 a kg in Delhi in October 2026.
What a putty rate includes and leaves out#
Agree five things beside the rate: the base, coats and thickness, sanding, primer and paint, and access. The same ₹ per sq ft can describe different work.
| Scope point | What to write in the quote |
|---|---|
| Base | Plastered, POP or concrete. Price hacking, crack filling and damp repair as their own items |
| Coats and thickness | Number of coats. If a schedule item is the reference, its thickness too: DSR 13.80 is 1 mm average |
| Sanding | Between coats and before primer. HouseYog's ₹5–8 labour band includes it |
| Primer and paint | Separate lines, or one painting package. Never both |
| Access | Ladders or scaffolding. DSR 13.80 includes scaffolding and sundries |
| Walls and ceilings | Separate quantities, measured on the surface you will finish |
A painting package may already include putty. The reported basic interior painting band of ₹12–20 per sq ft covers putty, primer and emulsion; see painting rate per sq ft. Putty also needs a sound plastered base. Price plaster repairs with plaster rate per sq ft.
Worked example: putty for a 2BHK's walls#
Two coats of putty on the walls of the 2BHK in our painting guide come to ₹10,110.80–16,022.28: ₹2,300–3,525 of putty and ₹7,810.80–12,497.28 of labour. It is arithmetic from the inputs cited above, not a quote.
The flat is the compact 2BHK in our painting rate guide. It has 145.13 m² of painted walls net of openings, because its kitchen and bathroom walls are tiled, and 67.25 m² of ceilings.
- Area. 145.13 m² × 10.7639 = 1,562.16 sq ft.
- Putty. The calculator's method, Birla's two-coat coverage, no extra allowance. At 2 m²/kg: 145.13 ÷ 2 = 72.6 kg, so 2 bags of 40 kg. At 1.5 m²/kg: 145.13 ÷ 1.5 = 96.8 kg, so 3 bags.
- Putty cost. At Birla's listed ₹1,150–1,175 a bag: 2 bags are ₹2,300–2,350, and 3 bags ₹3,450–3,525.
- Labour. At HouseYog's reported ₹5–8 per sq ft: 1,562.16 × ₹5 = ₹7,810.80, and 1,562.16 × ₹8 = ₹12,497.28.
| Line | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Putty, whole 40 kg bags | 2 × ₹1,150 = ₹2,300.00 | 3 × ₹1,175 = ₹3,525.00 |
| Labour, two coats with sanding | 1,562.16 × ₹5 = ₹7,810.80 | 1,562.16 × ₹8 = ₹12,497.28 |
| Total for the walls | ₹10,110.80 | ₹16,022.28 |
| Per sq ft of wall | ₹6.47 | ₹10.26 |
Labour is 77–78% of this total. At Birla White's higher ₹8–15 labour band, labour alone would be ₹12,497.28–23,432.40.
The same 145.13 m² on other bases:
| Basis | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Reported material + labour, ₹8–13 per sq ft (HouseYog) | 1,562.16 × ₹8 to 1,562.16 × ₹13 | ₹12,497.28–20,308.08 |
| Maharashtra SSR 2022-23, 32.34, no GST | 145.13 × ₹90 | ₹13,061.70 |
| CPWD DSR 2023, 13.80, 1 mm average, incl. GST | 145.13 × ₹156.05 | ₹22,647.54 |
Adding the ceilings. Walls and ceilings together are 212.38 m², or 2,286.04 sq ft. They need 106.2–141.6 kg, so 3–4 bags of 40 kg: ₹3,450–4,700 of putty. Labour at ₹5–8 per sq ft is ₹11,430.20–18,288.32.
For primer and paint over this putty, use the paint calculator.
Common mistakes in wall putty estimates#
- Multiplying two-coat coverage by two. 1.5 m²/kg for two coats means area ÷ 1.5, once.
- Using floor area. Putty is measured on the walls and ceilings you finish. The 2BHK above has 67.25 m² of floor but 145.13 m² of puttied walls.
- Paying for putty twice. A "putty + primer + emulsion" painting rate already includes putty. Do not add a separate putty line on top of it.
- Comparing DSR with a market quote as it stands. DSR 13.80 includes GST, 1% cess and 15% overheads, and specifies a 1 mm average coat. A two-coat quote before GST is a different item.
- Putty on tiled walls. Tiled kitchen and bathroom walls need none. Measure only the faces you will paint.
- Smooth-wall coverage on rough masonry. SmartCare's rough-masonry figure of 1–1.5 m²/kg can need twice the kg of Birla's 2 m²/kg.
- Rounding each wall. Add up the kg for the whole job, then round up once, in one bag size.
How to check a contractor's putty quote#
Get the scope and the area in writing, then split the rate into putty and labour.
- Scope: base, coats, thickness, sanding, primer included or not, ladders or scaffolding.
- Area: walls and ceilings in sq ft, net of openings, room by room.
- Split: putty per sq ft = price per kg ÷ coverage in sq ft per kg. What remains is labour and margin. Compare it with the reported ₹5–8 (HouseYog) and ₹8–15 (Birla White) labour bands.
Example. A painter quotes ₹12 per sq ft with material for the 2BHK's 1,562.16 sq ft of walls: ₹18,745.92. At ₹1.34–1.82 per sq ft for Birla WallCare, labour and margin are ₹10.18–10.66 per sq ft. That is above HouseYog's ₹5–8 and inside Birla White's ₹8–15. Ask what the quote includes before you negotiate.
Rates help only when the area is right. Send your drawings to get the finishes measured in a BOQ from your drawings: walls and ceilings room by room, net of openings, with putty, primer and paint as separate items. A house up to about 1,500 sq ft starts from ₹2,500, and your first project is 50% off, minimum ₹2,500.
FAQs#
What is the wall putty cost per sq ft in 2026?#
Reported rates are ₹8–13 per sq ft with material and labour for two coats, and ₹10–15 in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune (HouseYog, March 2026). The putty alone is ₹1.34–1.82 per sq ft on a smooth wall, at Birla White's listed 40 kg price and published coverage.
What is the wall putty labour rate per sq ft?#
HouseYog reports ₹5–8 per sq ft, including sanding. Birla White's September 2026 guide gives ₹8–15 for basic work and ₹15–25 for premium finishing. Both are reported ranges, not quotes.
What is the price of a 40 kg bag of wall putty?#
Birla White lists WallCare Putty at ₹1,150–1,175 for 40 kg. Asian Paints' MRP, including taxes, is ₹1,336 for TruCare Wall Putty and ₹2,150 for SmartCare Waterproofing Putty. Reported dealer-to-retail prices for white cement putty are ₹22–27 a kg in seven large cities (InfraLens, October 2026).
How much putty is needed for 1,000 sq ft of wall?#
46.45–61.94 kg for two coats at Birla White's 1.5–2 m²/kg, which is two bags of 40 kg. On rough masonry at 1–1.5 m²/kg, it is 61.94–92.90 kg, two or three bags. 1,000 sq ft here is wall area, not floor area.
What is the CPWD rate for wall putty?#
CPWD DSR 2023 item 13.80, white cement putty of 1 mm average thickness, is ₹156.05 per sq m (₹14.50 per sq ft), including GST and cess. Plaster of Paris putty 2 mm thick, item 13.26, is ₹262.70 per sq m.
Is putty included in the painting rate?#
Often, yes. The reported basic interior painting band of ₹12–20 per sq ft includes putty, primer and emulsion. A repaint without putty is reported at ₹8–16. Read the quote before you add a separate putty line.
How many coats of wall putty are needed?#
Two coats are standard for most homes, according to HouseYog, and high-end finishes may need a third. The published coverage figures above are for two coats together.
Sources#
- HouseYog, cost of wall putty in India (updated 7 Mar 2026): https://www.houseyog.com/blog/wall-putty-cost-india/
- Birla White, wall putty work: process, drying time, cost and tips (25 Sep 2026): https://www.birlawhite.com/en/media/blogs/wall-putty-work-step-by-step-process-drying-time-cost-and-expert-tips
- InfraLens city material prices, updated 24 Oct 2026: https://infralens.in/prices/delhi (also /mumbai, /bangalore, /pune, /chennai, /hyderabad, /kolkata)
- Birla White WallCare Putty product page, price FAQ (undated; checked 31 Oct 2026): https://www.birlawhite.com/en/products/wall-putty/wallcare-putty
- Birla White WallCare Putty brochure, two-coat coverage (undated; checked 21 Oct 2026): https://cms.birlawhite.com/uploads/birlawhite_wallcare_putty_english_brochure_752829cde1.pdf
- Asian Paints TruCare Wall Putty, MRP (undated; checked 31 Oct 2026): https://www.asianpaints.com/products/paints-and-textures/exterior-walls/plain-finishes/trucare-wall-putty.html
- Asian Paints SmartCare Waterproofing Putty, MRP (undated; checked 31 Oct 2026): https://www.asianpaints.com/waterproofing-products/smartcare-waterproofing-putty.html
- Asian Paints SmartCare Waterproof Wall Putty information sheet VN17/11/2024, coverage (checked 21 Oct 2026): https://www.asianpaints.com/content/dam/asian_paints/products/product-information-sheets/smartcare-waterproofingputty-6715-pis.pdf
- CPWD DSR and DAR 2023, items 13.26 and 13.80 (DAR printed page 1010, dated 14 Sep 2023; verify against CPWD correction slips): https://arched.ai/resources/dar/finishing/13-80 and https://arched.ai/resources/dar/finishing
- Maharashtra PWD State Schedule of Rates 2022-23, Plastering and Pointing, item 32.34: https://arched.ai/resources/sor/maharashtra-pwd-ssr-2022-23/plastering-and-pointing and https://pwd.maharashtra.gov.in/en/publication-type/state-schedule-of-rates/
- 2BHK wall and ceiling areas, and the reported painting bands (HouseYog, 26 Mar 2026): our painting rate guide
References and Further Reading
Primary and supporting sources cited in this article.
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