--- title: "How to plan a construction budget in Morocco" description: "Budget for a 100 m² home in Morocco with a worked example in dirhams. See which costs to list separately and how to compare contractor quotes." canonical: "https://www.batiplusmaroc.com/en/blog/how-to-plan-a-construction-budget/" last-updated: "2026-11-09" --- # How to plan a construction budget in Morocco To budget for a house in Morocco, start by pricing the building work from the plans. Then add land, professional fees, permits, utility connections and a contingency. Track these separately so you can compare quotes for the same scope of work. This guide uses a house with 100 m² of built area in Casablanca. You can apply the same calculation in another city using quotes based on your plot and plans. ## 1. Set up your project budget Give each cost its own line and record the amount in Moroccan dirhams, where the estimate came from and when it is due. Mark which prices you have in writing and which still need a quote. - Land and acquisition costs - Studies, design and administrative costs - Building work and finishes - Utility connections and outdoor work - Contingency ## 2. Price the land and site access If you are buying a plot, ask the professional handling the sale for an itemized breakdown of acquisition costs. Check site access and the distance to utility networks. A plot you already own can still require excavation or work to connect utilities. [Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance — Registration duties (French)]() ## 3. Worked example for 100 m² in Casablanca Specify the area to price and the scope of work. In this example, two floors of 50 m² give a total built area of 100 m². Ask the contractor to confirm in writing how spaces such as garages or terraces are measured and what the price per square meter includes. In its guide updated on 19 October 2026, Estima.ma models a 150 m² home in Casablanca with standard finishes at MAD 4,800 per square meter. Using that assumption to show the calculation, 100 m² × MAD 4,800 gives MAD 480,000 for the building work. This applies a model estimate to a different floor area. Price your own build from its plans and contractor quotes, since some costs change independently of the floor area. [Estima.ma — Guide to house construction costs in Morocco (French)]() ## 4. Add studies, permits and utility connections Calculate the cost of building work and the full project budget separately. Allow for design and site supervision, any studies your plot needs, permits and connections for water, electricity and sewerage. Ask which fees each quote already includes to avoid counting them twice. Morocco’s public Rokhas portal brings permit applications together online. Check the steps and fees that apply to your project with your municipality or the professional handling the application. [Moroccan government portal — National one-stop service for local permits (French)]() ## 5. Itemize finishes and outdoor work A quote may cover the structure, utility installations and some finishes while leaving other items for you to pay separately. Check floor and wall coverings, bathroom fixtures, kitchen fittings, joinery and equipment. For outdoor work, ask whether items such as the fence, gate or driveway are included. For each item, record whether the price includes materials, installation or both, and note the proposed grade of materials. ## 6. Allow for contingencies and payment dates Set a reserve based on what you know about the plot, the plans and provisional costs. List risks you still need to price, such as foundation changes after a study or quantities that have yet to be confirmed. Ask how extra work will be priced and approved in writing. Use the payment dates proposed in the quote to make a cash flow schedule, so you know when each amount will be needed. ## 7. Compare two quotes for the same scope In this hypothetical example, quote A is MAD 470,000 including tax, with plumbing excluded. A separate quote puts that plumbing at MAD 45,000 including tax, bringing the comparable total to MAD 515,000. Quote B is MAD 500,000 including tax and covers the same plumbing. With all other work equal, quote B costs MAD 15,000 less. - Give each contractor the same plans, quantities and specifications. - Check unit prices, material supply, installation and material grades. - Compare totals on the same tax basis and ask for the tax breakdown. - Identify exclusions, optional work and provisional amounts. - Check time frames, how long the quote is valid and when payments are due. ## Before you choose a contractor Write a short brief with the municipality, built area, available plans and work to include. Ask for detailed quotes based on that brief, then update your budget with the confirmed amounts and any costs you will pay separately.