TL;DR SINAPI is the official table maintained by Caixa that has unit cost compositions for construction services. To make an estimate: identify the services, find the composition, multiply by the quantity, add up materials and labor, apply BDI. This guide shows each step with a real example.

What SINAPI is

National System of Construction Cost and Index Research (Sistema Nacional de Pesquisa de Custos e Índices da Construção Civil). Maintained by Caixa Econômica Federal and IBGE. Updated monthly, broken down by state. For public works it is a mandatory reference; for private projects, it is a solid reference to defend your estimate.

You access SINAPI for free on the Caixa website, with compositions by code (e.g. 87905 = "Sealing masonry, hollow ceramic block"). Each composition brings the consumption of materials, labor hours, and total cost per unit (m², m³, kg, etc.).

Step by step of the estimate

  1. List of services. Map out everything that will be executed: masonry, subfloor, finishing, painting, etc.
  2. Quantities. Calculate the quantity of each service (m² of wall, m³ of concrete, kg of steel).
  3. SINAPI codes. Find the matching composition for each service.
  4. Unit cost. Take the month's price from the table for the right state.
  5. Total direct cost. Quantity × unit cost, added up.
  6. BDI. Apply the BDI on top of the direct cost to reach the selling price.

Unit cost composition

Each SINAPI item breaks down into:

  • Materials (cement, sand, blocks, etc.) with consumption per unit.
  • Labor (mason, helper, etc.) with hours per unit.
  • Equipment (concrete mixer, vibrator) when applicable.

You can customize the composition if your reality is different (e.g. using more expensive cement). But record the change; in public works, this needs to be justified.

BDI: what it is and how to calculate

Indirect Costs and Profit (Benefícios e Despesas Indiretas). It is the percentage you apply on top of the direct cost to include:

  • Central administration
  • Financial expenses
  • Insurance and guarantees
  • Taxes on revenue
  • Profit

Typical BDI: 22 to 32% in private works, with TCU Ruling 2622/2013 providing reference ranges (from 19.80% to 30.53% for building construction).

Practical example

Single-story house of 120 m², São Paulo, November 2026. Simplified list:

ServiceQty.UnitTotal
Masonry, 14 cm block280 m²R$ 92R$ 25,760
Subfloor120 m²R$ 48R$ 5,760
Internal plaster560 m²R$ 38R$ 21,280
PVA painting560 m²R$ 22R$ 12,320
Direct cost (partial)R$ 65,120
BDI 26%R$ 16,931
Selling priceR$ 82,051

In a complete project, there are 60 to 120 items, which is why having a tool that automates this matters.

Construction estimating in Limify

SINAPI integrated, customizable BDI

Limify imports the updated SINAPI, calculates compositions automatically and applies your configured BDI. An estimate that used to take 3 days is done in 4 hours.

Try it free

Limits of SINAPI

  • It does not cover premium finishes (imported marble, special layouts).
  • Lag of 30 to 60 days in the update.
  • Regional costs may differ from the state SINAPI.
  • Outsourced labor costs differ from the direct composition.

Use SINAPI as a base, but validate with a local supplier for critical items.