The three models
What each contract actually means
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1 · Turnkey (fixed-price, all-inclusive)
One builder takes the bare plot to a finished, certified home for one agreed price — design, building-plan approval, materials, RCC structure, finishes, handover. You sign a written scope and pay against milestones. Lowest owner risk, highest cost certainty. This is how Vidastu builds.
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2 · Labour-rate (labour contract)
You pay the contractor a per-sq-ft rate for labour only; you buy every bag of cement, ton of steel and box of tile. Lower headline number, but you carry material procurement, wastage, theft, quality control and price-fluctuation risk — and you must be available to decide and supply.
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3 · Item-rate (measurement / “PWD-style”)
Every component has an agreed unit rate (per sq ft of plaster, per cubic metre of concrete, per running foot) and you pay for the actual measured quantity executed. Transparent line-by-line, but the final total is not fixed and it needs disciplined joint measurement to stay dispute-free.
Side by side
How the three compare — at a glance
| What matters | Turnkey (fixed-price) | Labour-rate | Item-rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who buys materials | Builder | You | Usually builder, billed at rates |
| Who manages the site | Builder (one team) | You + the labour contractor | Builder, with your verification |
| Is the total price fixed? | Yes — one agreed price | Labour is fixed; materials are not | No — moves with quantities |
| Owner’s risk & effort | Lowest | Highest (procurement + wastage) | Medium-high (measurement) |
| Headline cost vs net cost | Higher headline, certain net | Lowest headline, uncertain net | Middle, audit-heavy |
| Best for | First-time & NRI owners; anyone wanting certainty | Hands-on owners who can procure + supervise daily | Owners who want line-item transparency and can measure |
Illustrative model comparison for evaluating any builder — not a statement of any firm’s specific rates. Vidastu prices each home as one binding, itemised fixed quote after a free site walk.
The honest cost question
“Isn’t labour-rate the cheapest?” — not once you count everything
A labour-rate quote wins the headline because it leaves materials out — and materials are the larger half of a build. The moment you add them back, you also inherit wastage (over-ordering, breakage, pilferage), price swings on cement and steel across a 10–16 month build, the time cost of procuring and checking every delivery, and the rework risk when labour and materials aren’t coordinated by one accountable party. After all that, a fixed-price turnkey contract frequently lands at a similar or lower all-in cost — with the difference that the turnkey number was certain from day one.
What actually drives a build’s cost (floors, finish level, site conditions, approvals) is broken down in the 2026 cost guide →, and the contractor-vetting checklist is in how to hire a contractor →. Comparing firms too? See the best construction company in Greater Noida & Yamuna Expressway →
How Vidastu builds
Fixed-price turnkey — one team, one price, one contract
Vidastu builds on the turnkey model precisely because it removes the risk the other two push onto the owner. You get one binding, itemised fixed quote after a free site walk (GST stated, no lump sums, no surprise extras), milestone-linked payments released against completed stages, in-house GNIDA/YEIDA building-plan approval, and weekly photo proof from your own site. Pick a finish level — Essential / Premium / Luxe — and the rest is one accountable team.
Vidastu Build packages