Updated · 12 May 2026
Building & Construction Costs in Lagos
20 building materials with current Lagos prices, full cost calculators for 6 house types from mini flats to 5-bedroom duplexes, and labor rates for 10 construction trades.
20 materials tracked6 project types10 labor rolesDangote: ₦9,500–₦10,500/bag📈 Cement +171% since 2022
🧱 How much will it cost to build?
Pick a house type, finish level and location — see the cost breakdown by stage.
2-Bedroom Bungalow · Standard finish · Mainland
₦25.0M–₦35.0M
Mid-grade tiles, Dulux paint, stone-coated roofing options · 4-6 months build time
250
Cement (50kg bags)
2.5 tons
Iron rods
2,000
9-inch blocks
120 sqm
Roofing
Cost breakdown by stage
Foundation & Substructure
20% of total
₦3.6M–₦7.0M
Block Work & Superstructure
25% of total
₦4.5M–₦8.8M
Roofing
12% of total
₦2.2M–₦4.2M
Plastering & First Fix
10% of total
₦1.8M–₦3.5M
Finishing (tiles, paint, doors, windows)
25% of total
₦4.5M–₦8.8M
Electrical & Plumbing
8% of total
₦1.4M–₦2.8M
Lagos Building Materials Price Tracker
20 materials grouped by category — current Lagos retail prices, change %, and where to buy
Cement · 3
Dangote Cement (50kg)Dangote
per per bag
₦9,500–10,500
+8.0%
📍 Alaba International Market · Trade Fair Complex +2
BUA Cement (50kg)BUA
per per bag
₦8,500–9,800
+6.0%
📍 Alaba Market · Trade Fair +1
Lafarge/Elephant Cement (50kg)Lafarge
per per bag
₦8,800–10,000
+7.0%
📍 Alaba Market · Trade Fair +1
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dangote Cement (50kg)Dangote Nigeria's most popular cement brand. Produces 3X and Falcon brands. 83% gross margin — the most expensive brand but widely trusted. OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) type. 💡 Buy in dry season (Nov-Mar) when demand is lower. Verify bag weight — some dealers short-change by 1-2kg per bag. Store off the ground on pallets to prevent moisture damage. 📦 Bulk (600+ bags): N8,800-N9,500 | per bag | ₦9,500–10,500 | +8.0% | 📍 Alaba International Market 📍 Trade Fair Complex 📍 Ogba-Ikeja +1 more |
BUA Cement (50kg)BUA Second-largest brand. Aggressive pricing strategy to compete with Dangote. Available in OPC and PPC (Portland Pozzolana) types. PPC is better for coastal/humid areas like Lagos Island. 💡 PPC (Portland Pozzolana) cement is N200-N500 cheaper and actually better for Lagos humidity — it resists salt water and reduces thermal cracking. 📦 Bulk: N7,800-N8,500 | per bag | ₦8,500–9,800 | +6.0% | 📍 Alaba Market 📍 Trade Fair 📍 Ikorodu |
Lafarge/Elephant Cement (50kg)Lafarge Third brand — Elephant Cement is the Lafarge brand name in Nigeria. 101% PAT growth in 2025 shows strong operational turnaround. Widely available across Lagos. 💡 All three major brands (Dangote, BUA, Lafarge) meet NIS standards. Price differences are mostly branding — use whichever is cheapest at your local depot. 📦 Bulk: N8,000-N9,000 | per bag | ₦8,800–10,000 | +7.0% | 📍 Alaba Market 📍 Trade Fair 📍 Cement depots across Lagos |
Steel · 4
Iron Rod 12mm (per length)
per per piece
₦1,200–1,500
+10.0%
📍 Owode Onirin Market · Dosunmu Market, Lagos Island +1
Iron Rod 16mm (per length)
per per piece
₦1,800–2,200
+10.0%
📍 Owode Onirin Market · Dosunmu Market
Iron Rod 10mm (per length)
per per piece
₦800–1,100
+8.0%
📍 Owode Onirin Market · Dosunmu Market
Binding Wire (per roll/kg)
per per bundle
₦5,300–6,800
+5.0%
📍 Owode Onirin
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron Rod 12mm (per length) 12mm is the most commonly used size for residential construction — columns, beams, lintels. TMT (Thermo-Mechanically Treated) steel is strongest. 💡 Check for the SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) stamp. Avoid tokunbo (used) rods — they have invisible stress fractures that compromise structural integrity. 📦 1 ton (76 pcs): N165,000-N175,000 | per piece | ₦1,200–1,500 | +10.0% | 📍 Owode Onirin Market 📍 Dosunmu Market, Lagos Island 📍 Alaba |
Iron Rod 16mm (per length) 16mm is used for heavier structural elements — main columns, ground beams, suspended slabs. Required for multi-story buildings. 📦 1 ton (55 pcs): N175,000-N185,000 | per piece | ₦1,800–2,200 | +10.0% | 📍 Owode Onirin Market 📍 Dosunmu Market |
Iron Rod 10mm (per length) 10mm for lighter structural elements — ring beams, minor lintels, BRC mesh alternative. 📦 1 ton (85 pcs): N165,000-N170,000 | per piece | ₦800–1,100 | +8.0% | 📍 Owode Onirin Market 📍 Dosunmu Market |
Binding Wire (per roll/kg) Used to tie iron rods together at joints. Flexible binding wire is standard. Buy per bundle or 10kg roll. 📦 10kg roll: N43,500-N48,000 | per bundle | ₦5,300–6,800 | +5.0% | 📍 Owode Onirin |
Blocks · 2
9-inch Block (per piece)
per per piece
₦180–250
+12.0%
📍 Block industries across Lagos · Order from moulders directly
6-inch Block (per piece)
per per piece
₦120–180
+10.0%
📍 Block industries across Lagos
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9-inch Block (per piece) The standard block for external walls. A 3-bedroom bungalow needs approximately 2,500-3,500 blocks. Quality varies massively — test by dropping from waist height (should NOT break). 💡 Moulding your own blocks is 15-20% cheaper but requires space and time. One bag of cement makes 35-50 nine-inch blocks depending on the mixture ratio. Better to buy machine-vibrated blocks than hand-moulded — stronger and more uniform. 📦 Per 1000: N160,000-N220,000 | per piece | ₦180–250 | +12.0% | 📍 Block industries across Lagos 📍 Order from moulders directly |
6-inch Block (per piece) Used for internal walls/partitions. Cheaper and lighter than 9-inch but NOT load-bearing — never use for external walls. 📦 Per 1000: N110,000-N160,000 | per piece | ₦120–180 | +10.0% | 📍 Block industries across Lagos |
Sand & Aggregate · 2
Sharp Sand (per trip/tipper)
per per trip
₦85,000–150,000
+15.0%
📍 Direct from Ogun dredging sites · Lagos building material markets
Granite 3/4 inch (per trip)
per per trip (20 tons)
₦450,000–600,000
+10.0%
📍 Abeokuta quarries (cheapest) · Lagos building markets
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sharp Sand (per trip/tipper) Sharp sand (coarse) for concrete mixing and block moulding. A "trip" is one tipper truck load (~5 tons). Lagos sharp sand comes from Ogun State sand mines. 💡 Always request washed sharp sand — unwashed sand contains salt/clay that weakens concrete. A 3-bedroom bungalow needs approximately 3-5 trips. | per trip | ₦85,000–150,000 | +15.0% | 📍 Direct from Ogun dredging sites 📍 Lagos building material markets |
Granite 3/4 inch (per trip) The standard granite size for concrete casting — foundations, columns, slabs. One trip (20 tons) costs N450K-N600K in Lagos. Prices vary by distance from quarry. 💡 Buy from Ogun State quarries directly for 20-30% savings. Transport cost is the main variable. | per trip (20 tons) | ₦450,000–600,000 | +10.0% | 📍 Abeokuta quarries (cheapest) 📍 Lagos building markets |
Roofing · 2
Aluminium Roofing Sheet (0.55mm)
per per sqm
₦3,500–5,000
+8.0%
📍 Alaba Market · Trade Fair +1
Stone-Coated Roofing (per sqm)
per per sqm
₦5,000–10,500
+5.0%
📍 Alaba Market · Specialised roofing dealers
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aluminium Roofing Sheet (0.55mm) The most common roofing material in Lagos. Long-span aluminium sheets in 0.45mm-0.55mm gauge. 0.55mm recommended — 0.45mm dents easily in Lagos rain. 💡 0.55mm gauge costs N500-N1000 more per sqm than 0.45mm but lasts 5-10 years longer. Worth the premium. | per sqm | ₦3,500–5,000 | +8.0% | 📍 Alaba Market 📍 Trade Fair 📍 Ikeja building market |
Stone-Coated Roofing (per sqm) Premium roofing — aesthetically superior, quieter in rain, longer lifespan (30+ years). Milano, Bond, Classic profiles available. Popular on Lekki and Ikoyi houses. 💡 Stone-coated adds N2-5M to total roofing cost vs aluminium. The Shingle profile is cheapest; Milano is most popular. | per sqm | ₦5,000–10,500 | +5.0% | 📍 Alaba Market 📍 Specialised roofing dealers |
Wood · 1
Roofing Wood/Timber (per piece)
per per piece (2x4 inch, 12ft)
₦1,200–2,000
+15.0%
📍 Oko-Baba Timber Market, Ebute-Metta · Mushin Timber Market
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Roofing Wood/Timber (per piece) Wood for roof trusses/rafters. 2x3, 2x4, 2x6 available. Hardwood (mahogany) is more expensive but resists termites better than softwood. 💡 Treat ALL roofing wood with anti-termite solution (Solignum or equivalent). Untreated wood in Lagos climate is eaten within 2-3 years. | per piece (2x4 inch, 12ft) | ₦1,200–2,000 | +15.0% | 📍 Oko-Baba Timber Market, Ebute-Metta 📍 Mushin Timber Market |
Tiles · 2
Floor Tiles 60x60cm (per sqm)
per per sqm
₦3,000–8,000
+5.0%
📍 Alaba Market · NOVARE/ShopRite area Lekki
POP Ceiling (per sqm installed)
per per sqm (installed)
₦3,000–6,000
+10.0%
📍 POP contractors — get 3 quotes
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Floor Tiles 60x60cm (per sqm) Standard floor tile size. Ceramic costs N3K-N5K/sqm; porcelain N5K-N8K/sqm. Imported (Spanish, Italian) starts at N12K/sqm. 💡 Buy 10-15% extra to account for cutting waste and future replacement tiles. Same batch tiles may have slight color variation between production runs. | per sqm | ₦3,000–8,000 | +5.0% | 📍 Alaba Market 📍 NOVARE/ShopRite area Lekki |
POP Ceiling (per sqm installed) Plaster of Paris ceiling — the standard ceiling finish in Lagos. Price includes material + labor. Plain POP is cheapest; cornices and decorative moulding add N500-N2000/sqm. 💡 POP cracks if the building settles. Wait 2-3 months after completing the structure before installing POP ceiling. | per sqm (installed) | ₦3,000–6,000 | +10.0% | 📍 POP contractors — get 3 quotes |
Paint · 1
Paint - Emulsion (per 20L bucket)
per per 20L bucket
₦15,000–35,000
+8.0%
📍 Paint shops across Lagos · Alaba Market
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paint - Emulsion (per 20L bucket) Interior wall paint. Budget (N15K-N20K): Jas, Elnino. Mid-range (N20K-N30K): Dulux, Sandtex. Premium (N30K+): Berger, Crown. A 3-bedroom needs 8-12 buckets. 💡 Dulux Weathershield for exterior walls — resists Lagos rain and humidity better than regular emulsion. Two coats minimum for good coverage. | per 20L bucket | ₦15,000–35,000 | +8.0% | 📍 Paint shops across Lagos 📍 Alaba Market |
Plumbing · 2
PVC Pipe 4-inch (per length)
per per 6m length
₦3,500–6,000
+10.0%
📍 Alaba Market · Plumbing material shops
Water Tank 1000L
per per unit
₦25,000–45,000
+5.0%
📍 Building material markets · Geepee dealers
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PVC Pipe 4-inch (per length) Waste/drainage pipe. 4-inch for main sewer line. First-quality PVC (pressure-rated) is more expensive but essential for underground pipes. | per 6m length | ₦3,500–6,000 | +10.0% | 📍 Alaba Market 📍 Plumbing material shops |
Water Tank 1000L Overhead storage tank. Geepee and similar brands are most common. 2000L recommended for a 3-bedroom. Consider 5000L if your area has irregular water supply. | per unit | ₦25,000–45,000 | +5.0% | 📍 Building material markets 📍 Geepee dealers |
Electrical · 1
Electrical Cable 1.5mm (per coil)
per per 100m coil
₦18,000–28,000
+8.0%
📍 Alaba International Market · Electrical material shops Ojuelegba
| Material | Unit | Price | Δ% | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical Cable 1.5mm (per coil) For lighting circuits. Use 2.5mm for socket outlets and 4mm for heavy appliances (AC, water heater). Cutix and Coleman are trusted Nigerian brands. 💡 Never use sub-standard cables — they cause house fires. Look for SON certification mark. Cutix and Coleman are the safest Nigerian brands. | per 100m coil | ₦18,000–28,000 | +8.0% | 📍 Alaba International Market 📍 Electrical material shops Ojuelegba |
Lagos Construction Labor Rates
Daily and monthly rates for construction artisans in Lagos
| Role | Daily rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Bricklayer/Mason Lays blocks, renders walls. The most critical artisan — bad bricklaying means uneven walls and structural issues. Experienced bricklayers charge premium. | ₦5,000–₦10,000 | ₦120,000–₦250,000 |
Carpenter Roofing framework, formwork for concrete casting, doors/window frames. A good roofing carpenter prevents leaks for decades. | ₦5,000–₦8,000 | ₦100,000–₦200,000 |
Plumber Water supply and drainage installation. First fix (before plastering) and second fix (after tiling). Poor plumbing causes the most expensive post-construction repairs. | ₦4,000–₦8,000 | ₦80,000–₦180,000 |
Electrician Wiring, conduit installation, panel board, earthing. MUST be certified — unlicensed electricians cause house fires. First fix and second fix stages. | ₦4,000–₦8,000 | ₦80,000–₦180,000 |
Tiler Floor and wall tile installation. Specialist tilers (marble, porcelain) charge N10K-N18K/day vs N5K-N8K for standard ceramic. | ₦5,000–₦12,000 | ₦100,000–₦250,000 |
Painter Interior and exterior painting. Screeding, filling, undercoat, and finishing. A 3-bedroom needs 2-3 weeks of painting work. | ₦4,000–₦7,000 | ₦80,000–₦150,000 |
POP Installer Plaster of Paris ceiling specialist. Paid per sqm (N3K-N6K/sqm installed) rather than daily rate. Cornices and decorative work cost extra. | ₦5,000–₦10,000 | — |
Welder/Iron Bender Bends and ties iron rods for reinforcement. Also fabricates gates, burglar-proof bars, and railings. | ₦4,000–₦8,000 | ₦80,000–₦160,000 |
Laborer (General) Carries materials, mixes mortar, assists artisans. A site needs 3-6 laborers depending on project size. | ₦3,000–₦5,000 | ₦60,000–₦100,000 |
Site Engineer/Foreman Supervises construction, reads drawings, manages artisans. A qualified site engineer prevents costly structural mistakes. 5-7% of project budget. | ₦15,000–₦30,000 | ₦350,000–₦600,000 |
Build vs buy: which makes sense in Lagos?
In Ajah / Ibeju-Lekki, building a 3-bed bungalow at ₦35M plus land at ~₦15M (₦50M total) beats buying ready-built (₦45M-₦65M). In Lekki Phase 1, building costs ₦50M-₦80M while buying costs ₦60M-₦90M — but the 12-18 months you spend building means paying ₦5M-₦12M in rent elsewhere. Once you factor that in, buying becomes competitive.
For investment property, a block of 4 two-bed flats at ₦120M-₦180M generates ₦4M-₦12M/year in rent — payback in 8-15 years depending on neighborhood. Combine with Dangote Cement stock (up 48% YTD) and you're hedged: the rising cement prices that make construction expensive also drive the stock you can hold.
Browse materials by category
Or browse by project type
🏠 2-Bedroom Bungalow →🏠 3-Bedroom Bungalow →🏠 4-Bedroom Duplex →🏠 5-Bedroom Duplex →🏠 Mini Flat (Room & Parlor) →🏠 Block of 4 Flats (2-bed each) →
Popular guides
Cement went from ₦3,500 to ₦10,000 in 3 years — how to build without going broke
In 2022, a bag of Dangote cement cost ₦3,500. Today it costs ₦9,500-₦10,500 — a 171% increase in three years. Iron rods followed the same trajectory: 12mm rods went from ₦500 per length to ₦1,200-₦1,500. The combined effect means building a standard 3-bedroom bungalow in Lagos now costs ₦35-₦50 million — up from ₦12-₦18 million just four years ago. The Lagos construction cost per square meter has risen to ₦65,000-₦85,000, making it the most expensive city to build in Nigeria.
The single biggest cost-saving decision is cement type, not cement brand. PPC (Portland Pozzolana Cement) is ₦200-₦500 cheaper per bag than OPC and is actually better suited to Lagos's humid, coastal environment — it resists salt water, generates less heat during curing, and reduces thermal cracking in slabs. Yet most Lagos builders still use OPC because “that's what everyone uses.” On a 3-bedroom bungalow requiring 350 bags, switching to PPC saves ₦70,000-₦175,000 on cement alone, AND gives you a more durable structure.
The “build vs buy” question depends entirely on location. In Ajah, building a 3-bedroom bungalow costs ₦35M (excluding land at ~₦15M = ₦50M total) while buying a ready-built 3-bedroom costs ₦45M-₦65M. Building is cheaper — if you have the time, patience, and project management skills. In Lekki Phase 1, the math flips: building costs ₦50M-₦80M while buying costs ₦60M-₦90M, but the 12-18 month construction period means you're paying rent elsewhere while building (₦5M-₦12M/year in Lekki). Factor in that rent, and buying becomes competitive. Lagos.cool's rent data helps you calculate the true cost of each option.
Building & Construction — FAQ
Dangote Cement (50kg) costs ₦9,500–₦10,500 retail. BUA is ₦8,500–₦9,800; Lafarge ₦8,800–₦10,000. Bulk orders (600+ bags) are 5-10% cheaper. PPC cement is ₦200-₦500 cheaper than OPC and actually better for Lagos's humid coastal environment.
Disclaimer. Building material prices vary by depot, quantity and date — always confirm current prices with at least three dealers before purchasing. Construction cost ranges assume Lagos labor rates and standard finishes; final costs depend on design complexity, ground conditions, and contractor margins. Cross-references to other Lagos.cool sections (rent, stocks, forex) are for context only and should not be used as investment advice.