Concrete cutting for
home renovation
in Palakkad, Kerala.

Most home renovations in Palakkad — whether you are upgrading an older house, adding a floor, remodelling a kitchen, or modernising electrical and plumbing systems — involve some form of concrete cutting. Kerala homes are built with concrete and RCC walls, slabs, and foundations. This guide covers every typical concrete cutting job in a residential renovation, what each involves, and what it costs in 2026.

AC installation — core cutting

Every room getting a split AC unit needs a 75mm–100mm hole through the external wall for the refrigerant pipes and drain. Diamond core cutting is the correct method — it creates a clean, round hole that the pipe sleeve fits precisely, with no wall damage. Most homes fit 2–6 AC units, making core cutting one of the most common renovation jobs.

New door & window openings — wall sawing

Changing the layout of a home often means creating new door openings between rooms, enlarging windows for light and ventilation, or creating archways. Diamond wall sawing is the only professional method for rectangular openings in concrete walls. For load-bearing walls, a structural engineer must design the lintel before cutting.

Plumbing renovation — slab cutting & core drilling

Replumbing an older Kerala home often requires cutting trenches in floor slabs for new drainage pipes, and core drilling through walls and slabs for water supply and drain riser pipes. This is very common when upgrading old-style bathroom and kitchen plumbing to modern layouts.

• Drainage trench in floor slab: ₹150–₹300 per meter
• Core drilling through slab for riser pipe: ₹350–₹600 per hole
• Core drilling through wall for water pipe: ₹200–₹450 per hole

Adding a floor — staircase slab cutting

Adding a first or second floor to an existing house requires cutting a staircase opening in the existing roof slab (which becomes the new floor slab). This must be done with structural engineering design for the trimmer beams around the opening. A standard staircase opening cut costs ₹8,000–₹15,000 depending on slab thickness and rebar density.

Demolition of old structures — partial or full

Many renovation projects in Palakkad involve demolishing an old portion of the house — an old kitchen extension, a dilapidated outbuilding, a compound wall, or the entire old structure before rebuilding. Controlled demolition with proper equipment ensures adjacent structures and utility connections are not affected.

Can you schedule all cutting in one visit?

Yes — and this is the most efficient approach. When we visit for a site survey, we assess all the cutting work required for your renovation and schedule it all in a single mobilisation. This saves you the cost of multiple site visits and lets all the concrete cutting be done before other trades (tiles, plumbing, electrical) begin their work.

Typically for a full home renovation in Palakkad, all core cutting, wall openings, and slab trenches can be completed in 1–3 days depending on the extent of work.

Tips for planning your renovation cutting

• Book concrete cutting before other trades

  Core cutting and wall sawing should happen before tile work, plastering, and electrical wiring. All concrete debris and slurry must be cleared before finishing trades begin.

• Get a structural check for all load-bearing wall openings

  Never cut a wall opening without confirming load-bearing status. If in doubt, ask a civil engineer — the fee is small compared to the cost of a structural repair.

• Plan AC hole locations carefully

  AC holes are difficult to relocate once cut. Confirm the indoor unit position and pipe routing before core drilling.

• Get a single written quote for all cutting work

  Bundling all cutting work in one visit is more cost-effective than separate visits. Ask for a single itemised quote covering all planned cutting.