Building your own home remains a cherished aspiration for many Nigerians, but understanding the real costs is crucial to turning that dream into reality. In 2025, inflation, rising material prices, and location-based cost variations have significantly impacted construction budgets. This guide provides a clear, detailed breakdown of what it takes—financially—to build a 3‑bedroom bungalow in Nigeria today.
Total Construction Costs by Region
The overall construction cost for a standard 3‑bedroom bungalow varies depending on location:
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Lagos: ₦25 million to ₦35 million
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Abuja: ₦22 million to ₦30 million
These ranges reflect higher costs in major urban centers due to expensive materials and labor.
Per Square Meter Construction Costs
When measured by floor space, the cost estimates are:
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Low to mid‑range: ₦30,000 to ₦50,000 per m²
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Luxury finishes: ₦65,000 to ₦120,000 per m²
For a typical 120–150 m² bungalow, that results in a wide total cost range depending on quality and finishes.
Detailed Cost Breakdown
From Nigerian Queries (2025):
Estimated construction stage costs include:
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Land: ₦350,000 to ₦15 million (rural to developed areas)
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Architect & Planning: ₦800,000 to ₦2 million
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Foundation: ₦1 million to ₦1.5 million
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Structural Walls: ₦700,000 to ₦1.2 million
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Roofing: ₦700,000 to ₦1 million
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Finishing: ₦1.3 million to ₦2.5 million
From Nigerian Price (2021 benchmark):
Cost components include:
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Substructure: ₦2.5 million – ₦5 million
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Walls, frames, roofing: accumulate to a total of ₦10.5 million – ₦20 million for full build
From Stocker (2025):
Additional stage-specific costs include:
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Blockwork: ₦2 million to ₦4 million
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Roofing: ₦1.7 million to ₦3 million
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Finishes: Plastering (₦500k–₦1m), Flooring (₦800k–₦1.7m), Painting (₦300k–₦700k)
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Utilities: Electrical (₦550k–₦1.1m), Plumbing (₦510k–₦850k)
Material Prices & Market Context
According to a 2025 construction webinar, rising inflation has driven material costs sharply upward:
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Cement: ₦10,000 – ₦10,500 per 50kg bag
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Steel rods (12 mm): ₦1.05 – ₦1.15 million per ton
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Sand & granite (per tipper): ₦50,000+ and ₦60,000+ respectively
Key Takeaways
| Category | Estimated Range (₦) |
|---|---|
| Urban Build (Lagos/Abuja) | ₦22M – ₦35M |
| Rural/Lower-cost Areas | ₦7M – ₦10M |
| Finishing & Utilities Extra | Several million added |
Insight from Reddit:
“Depending on location anywhere between 15m to 60m.” — reflecting real build costs in Lagos
Final Thoughts
A realistic budget for building a 3-bedroom bungalow in Nigeria in 2025 depends heavily on location, material quality, and unforeseen costs. For rural or low-cost areas, budgets could start as low as ₦7M–₦10M, while building in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja can escalate to ₦25M–₦35M or higher. To refine your budget, consider enlisting a quantity surveyor and building with planned contingencies in mind.
