Everybody has a dream. The dreams may differ individually, but they will also act as a motivator for various people to carry on with their day-to-day work. One of those wonderful dreams motivating their life full of hardship is to have a dream house, especially in the context of a country like Nepal. Hence, here in this article, we will talk about how to make your dreams come true or ‘how to build a house in Nepal’.
But building a house doesn’t mean that you have to build it yourself. But find out what the early steps are that should be considered by ‘future’ house owners before they start building their dream house.
Summary
If you’re tired of reading all the content in this blog, here’s a summarized version of How to build a house in Nepal.
| Phase | Steps | Details |
| Planning and Preparing | Land Acquisition and Zoning Regulations | Design gardens and outdoor spaces, use native plants and create functional features like drainage systems and terraces. |
| Proper Designing and Planning | Work with a registered engineer to create a design that complies with the Nepal Building Codes and aligns with your vision. | |
| Preparing Permits and Documents | Gather required documents like Lal Purja (land ownership), tax receipts, building permits, and labor approvals, then submit them to the municipality. | |
| Budgeting and Finance Planning | Plan for land purchase, design costs, material expenses, labor, and contingencies to ensure smooth construction progress. | |
| Construction Materials Selection | Plan for land purchase, design costs, material expenses, labor, and contingencies to ensure smooth construction progress. | |
| Building the House | Foundation Construction | Perform soil testing, clear and level the site, e |
| Framing and Structural Work | Assemble beams and columns to give the house its shape and structural support, using materials like steel, concrete, or wood. | |
| Roofing and Exterior | Install roofs suited to the region (flat, sloped, gable), ensure proper insulation, and focus on aesthetics and durability. | |
| Plumbing and Electrical Works | Install water supply, drainage systems, and electrical wiring with proper fixtures, including safety measures like grounding and alternative power sources. | |
| Finishing Up | Interior Finishing | Complete plastering, painting, flooring, and cabinetry. Install doors, windows, and other fixtures. |
| Utilities Installation | Set up essential systems like plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC, water filtration, and internet cabling for a comfortable living space. | |
| Landscaping | Design gardens and outdoor spaces, use native plants, and create functional features like drainage systems and terraces. | |
| Quality Control and Inspections | Conduct regular inspections to ensure structural integrity, test utilities, and assess finishes for compliance with the plans. | |
| Timeline and Project Management | Maintain a detailed schedule, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and adapt to challenges like weather or supply issues. |
Scroll down to know all the steps in detail.
Things to consider before building a house in Nepal
There are a couple of things you have to be ready for before building a house.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle will also greatly affect you and your soon-to-be house. Make sure you choose a proper location like if you want this house for generation for your childrens as well, find a right community to grow them up. But if you’re an open lifestyle person, you have to choose a community and location fine with that taste of yours. Keep in mind that your lifestyle will affect your finances as well.
Finance
Having a set of money, whether it may be a loan, assets or liquid money, you have to keep it in check before even considering buying a house, especially in cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu
Location
Location is as important as finance, as people prefer different types of situations or environments they’d like to live in. Personally, I would prefer a standalone place with not much noise or disturbance but still in a harmonious community. But if you prefer chaos, you should consider the locations accordingly.
Moreover, the combination of both of these (location and finance) can determine the house you can build, how much it will cost to build a house, and the community you will be living in; they will be more important than you realise.
Steps to build a house in Nepal
Personally, I would prefer to divide these steps into three parts. First is planning and preparing, second is building the house; and the last one is Finishing up. Categorizing these steps will help everyone exactly where we are and how much time and cost might it take before completion.
Planning and Preparing
Land Acquisition and Zoning Regulations
One of the most important parts of the Planning and Preparing phase is Land Acquisition and Zoning Regulations. You see, before building any house, you must have a land where you want to build it and if ‘you’ want to build it then you’ll have to own it.
You either have to own it beforehand but if not then of course you have to buy it.
Here’s what you have to do:
Identify the suitable land that you like, make sure to keep in check all the variables like schools, markets, neighborhood and other.
Check for land’s owner from Malpot Karyalaya (Land Revenue) and don’t forget to check if there are any disputes or not regarding the land.
See the finance and purchase the land. Complete the payment that is required for everything and register your name as the owner of the land from Napi Karyalaya (Land Registration Office).
After owning the land, the crucial first step to building a house in Nepal comes to the conclusion.
Onto the next step which is Zoning Regulation. These regulations tell you what kind of building is feasible and suitable for your recently purchased land. Moreover, the Zoning regulations also ensure that your house is safe and within the laws so that there will be no problem in the future whatsoever.
Proper Designing and planning
Before even moving onto designing your house, engage with a registered engineer which will translate your ideas and visions into a practical design that complies with local level codes and other necessary regulations.
And visit the site with the same engineer where your engineer will assess the suitability for the constructions. You might also have a rough idea on how much it might take to finish building your house.
Finally, it comes to designing the layout of the house and planning for its development.
Make sure to properly collaborate with your engineer to create the design and also keep in check that it follows the Nepal Building Codes. It will come in handy for later stages.
Preparing all permits and necessary documents
Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail”. This applies for building your house as well. Hence, it is absolutely necessary to prepare and plan for your house before beginning its construction as well.
FIrst, what you have to do is prepare essential documents that might be essential for your future domicile. It might consist of your Lal Purja (Land Ownership Proof Certificate), Tax receipts, citizenships, permits for building your house
Here are the permits and other documents that are absolutely necessary for building your house:
Lal Purja (Land Ownership Certificate)
Permit for building construction
Demarcation and Plot Division Approval
Labor Permit
Keep in mind that these are some absolutely necessary documents but not all that you’ll be requiring. Other documents can vary as per your locations, and your needs.
After preparing all the documents, submit it in your concerned municipality and wait for further notice
Budgeting and Finance Planning for building house
Maybe the most crucial aspect for the Preparing and Planning phase for house building. Budget and Finance planning will ultimately define your house. A flexible budget and finance planning will help you smoothly progress your construction. And a strong budget allocation will help you save some finance for future endeavors.
This process can be put anywhere in your planning phase for building your house. From Land Acquisition to Finishing up your house construction, budget and finance will always be an important element.
But how should you do a Budget and Finance Planning then?
SInce land prices will always be rising, it is very important to buy land well suited for your house first.
Then comes your house designing expenditures that will include Engineer’s fees, surveys, plottings and expenses for all the necessary documents and processings.
Now you have to plan for the most volatile aspect, which is Construction Material which will include cements, rods, bricks, paints, pipes and many other materials.
You should also consider the budget for contractors and labor. Make sure to come to an agreement beforehand so that there will be no issue during or after the house is completed.
Essentially, everything and every aspect during your construction will speak about money, therefore it is very essential to widen the vision and properly plan for your budget and finance.
Construction Materials for building house
Construction materials are the building elements for your house. They require careful selection that are not only durable but also well suited to your house’s design. There are many materials that you have to take into consideration but let’s look at some of the most crucial ones.
Bricks
One of the most crucial materials for building your house is Bricks. They are widely used material and form the primary component of walls. There are two types of Bricks that you have to take a note for: Local Clay Bricks and CSEB (Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks). CSEB is considered more cheaper and reliable among the options.
Cement and Concrete
Cement is the core of any house in Nepal. Perfectly aggregated with water, gravels and sand, they’ll give you a well made house that could last more than a century. They are deemed necessary for building strong foundations, pillars, and roofs. Fortunately, there are multiple cement factories in Nepal, giving you the cheaper and variety of options for your constructions.
Steels (Rebar)
They are the skeleton of your house as they provide basic structure for it. Steels or Rebars are important for improving your house’s tensile strength. Particularly for countries like Nepal, where massive earthquakes are no new guests, Steels helps you to protect your house from such disasters.
These are 3 of the most important materials that you have to consider when building your house. But please consult with your engineers before purchasing them to ensure that you get the best ones for your house.
Here are some Construction Materials *general* prices that I was able to fetch from the Internet. Please take these prices with a grain of salt as they are always fluctuating and changing on the basis of demand and supply of the items.
| Construction Materials | Type/Company → Price |
| Cement | OPC Cement: Rs. 850 to Rs.950 per 50 KG bag PPC Cement: Rs.800 to Rs.900 per 50 KG Premium Cement: Rs. 1000 to 1200 per 50 KG bag. |
| Bricks | Red Bricks: Rs 18/pcs CSEB Bricks: Rs 50/pcs Hollow Bricks: Rs. 57/pcs |
| Steels | 10 mm, 12 mm, and 16 mm TMT Bars: Rs.85/per kilogram Tor Steel Bars: Rs.90/per kilogram Flat Bars: Rs.100/per kilogram |
Hiring Contractors and Labor
Contractors serve as project managers responsible for coordinating materials, labor, timelines, and overall progress. They are responsible for overseeing the construction process and ensure that work aligns with designs and other safety standards.
Laborers are those who make your house. They consist of skilled workers like masons, carpenters and electricians and other unskilled helpers.
To hire a contractor:
Use your circle or links to find out the best and experienced contractor
Check out their past works
Go through some reputable companies to find more options for contractors
Contractors often hire all the labor forces for the constructions but it is crucial to know their daily wages to efficiently manage your timeline and budget.
Building the House
Building a Foundation for the house
The foundation is the most critical part of the house as it is essential to support the entire structure, stability and durability of the house. In Nepal, given the geography and seismic conditions (related to earthquake), creating a strong and well-planned foundation is absolutely necessary.
But before building your house or its foundations there are some essential steps you have to follow:
Soil Testing: It helps to determine the bearing or withholding capacity of your land area.
Clearing and Leveling: It consists of clearing all the stone or other debris and leveling your land.
Plan Alignment: Plan Alignment will help mark the boundaries for your house’s foundation using stakes and strings.
After finishing up your prerequisites for your, it’s time to choose your foundation for your house.
Check out this blog from Fox foundation to learn more about various types of Foundation suitable for your house.
After the choosing and finalizing your foundation, here’s what you have to do:
Excavation
It means digging the trenches or pits to the depth specified in the design.
Foundation and Base reinforcement
A concrete layer or blinding layer is poured at the bottom of the digged trench to provide a smooth and stable surface for foundation. Then, steel rebars are placed in the grid to strengthen the surface.
Pouring concrete
Here, the mixing of the concrete with aggregates will be done. Then it will be poured and spread along the foundations. Then, the concrete will be left for 7-28 days for curing the concrete which helps achieve maximum durability.
Installing Footings
Footing distributes the weight of everything that is built over. Make sure that the footings are strong enough to resist settlement or sinking especially in areas with unstable landscapes.
Waterproofing the Foundation
To prevent issues like water seepage and moisture damage, it’ll be very important to waterproof your foundation. Applying a layer of plastic sheet and building the drainage system might do the job for you.
Backfilling and Compaction
Once the foundation is set, use the excavated soil to backfill around the trenches. Making sure the soil is compact will ensure stability and prevent future settlement.
Proper foundation and afterworks will make your house earthquake resistant and any other devastation that might happen.
Framing and structural work
Framing of the house means giving your house a definitive shape required to support walls, roofs, and floors. It involves assembling and joining parts like beams, and columns using materials like steel, wood or concrete.
House requires two crucial process:
Structural designing to bring out detailed blueprint for the house.
Using the foundation, you’ll have to mark the layout for framing of your house either with chalk or markers for walls, beams and columns.
Roofing and Exterior
Its defines durability and appearance of the house. Roofing protects the house from elements like rains, storms and such and the exterior ensures insulation, aesthetics, and long-term stability.
There are various types of Roofs that you have to take note on:
Flat Roofs are proficient for urban areas or multi-story buildings.
Sloped Roofs are more common in rural areas or areas with heavy rainfall or snowfall.
Gable or Pitched Roofs are mostly seen in traditional houses mainly across hilly regions that provide natural ventilation.
Plumbing and Electrical Works
Plumbing refers to installation of water supply, drainage system and sewage systems for your house.
Water Supply System
Identify the water source like Melamchi, municipal water supply, rainwater harvesting, or a well. Then, pipe fittings are done to supply the water through the house.There must also be a water storage system like a water tank (especially underground for high reserves).
Drainage and Sewage System:
PVC pipes are more common for establishing a drainage system and they require a proper ventilation system to avoid buildup of gases. And for Sewage systems, they are typically connected to municipal drainage systems. But if you are in a rural area, proper installation of septic tanks is necessary, including inlet and outlet pipes.
Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures
Installation of Water Taps, showers, faucets, toilets and sinks are added to various rooms of your house like Bathroom and Kitchen.
Electrical Works are crucial for overall access of electricity throughout your house.
Make sure to consult with a expert and highly technical electrician to:
Install a proper Wiring System that’ll include an Electrical panel for electricity distribution. Proper wires like Copper will be necessary for excellent conductivity and high melting point.
Lighting and Power Fixtures
What good is a house without proper lighting. When building your house, it is very necessary to properly install all the lights and switches. Also, don’t forget to install power outlets to power various electrical equipments
After the installation, make sure to do Earthing or Grounding of your wires to prevent your house from shocks. Using and installing alternative power sources like Solar Panel and Backup Generators will ensure that no power outages happen especially for lights, heaters. Fans and others
Finishing it up
Interior Finishing
Interior finishing transforms a house into a comfortable and livable space. After everything is done, your interior finishing for the house is done. It includes essential steps like:
Plastering your walls
Painting your overall house
Installing all the floorings, cabinetry and fixtures such as doors, windows, and trims.
Utilities Installation
Requires properly installing essential systems adhering to safety standards. Utilities include plumbing materials like pipes, taps, showers, and faucets and electrical works like wires, lights, switch boards, and other outlets.
Additionally, modern utilities like water filtration systems, internet cablings, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditionings/fans) can help significantly enhance the home’s comfort
Landscaping
Landscaping is an essential aspect of homebuilding that enhances the overall functionality and environmental sustainability of your property. It is a process of installing or adding environmental elements like plants to enhance the overall house and its surroundings.
Make sure that you plan it early and cooperate with your house designer to landscape perfectly.
Quality Control and Inspections
Quality control is a very process that ensures your soon-to-be house is durable and safe from various situations. It includes frequent inspections before, during and after the construction is done. This can also manage your time and money in the long run.
Quality inspections help maintain structural integrity, testing plumbing, electrical system verification, proper construction materials and assessing finishes for flaws.
For quality inspections, Regular visits by engineers or project managers are essential for maintaining quality standards.
Addressing all the details of the house from start to finish before moving in prevents future headaches and ensures your home is ready for occupancy.
Timeline and Project Management
Maintaining a timeline and managing the project which is your house is very important and can be helpful for the long run.
In the context of Nepal, building a house in Nepal requires a meticulous timeline planning and project management due to challenges like unpredictable weather and material availability.
Effective communication among stakeholders—contractors, architects, suppliers, and workers—is equally crucial. Staying flexible and proactive in addressing unforeseen situations like monsoon rains or supply chain disruptions is key to completing your home-building journey efficiently and within your allocated budget.
Final Words
Building a house, especially in the context of Nepal generally takes more than half to one year based on your demands and locations. It generally will cost you a lifetime worth of fortune and time. Therefore, it is very important to move step by step and manage everything efficiently.
This article aims to let readers know everything there is to know about building a house in Nepal. But of course, you have to find and research before even attempting to start to plan for your house.
You can use our website to find the expert solutions and top-notch suppliers for everything you’ll be needing to build your dream house in Nepal.
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