Kathmandu, July 12 -- What does it cost to build a house in Kathmandu? Builders say the budget for constructing a two-and-a-half-storey house has increased by double digits over the past year, largely due to the impact of the US-Iran war, which triggered a rise in commodity prices after energy and transportation costs soared.

In Kathmandu, constructing a two-and-a-half-storey home on an 800-square-foot plot now costs around Rs10.7 million, according to Ganesh KC, founder of Native Builders, a company that provides home construction services.

"It was Rs9 million a year ago."

The estimate includes standard finishing with tiles, doors, windows and paint.

Overall, the cost of constructing a house has increased by 14 percent, according to ...