# Office Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia

> Kota Bharu office cost planning using the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index of 44.5, plus a GeoNames-based local comparable-search shortlist.

- Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/office-construction-cost-kota-bharu-my/
- Last updated: 2026-09-15
- Data source: National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames MY dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736376). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| National construction PLI | 44.5 (World Bank ICP 2021; World = 100) |
| Screening ratio to world | 0.445 (dimensionless PLI ÷ 100; not a city location factor) |
| Locality reference | 6.1236, 102.2433 (GeoNames ID 1736376) |
| Snapshot population | 568,900 (12 of 50 listed Malaysia places) |
| Nearest listed peer | Pasir Mas · 14 km (great-circle distance between GeoNames reference points) |
| Estimate currency | MYR (obtain a current local rate and named base date) |

## Direct answer

For early office construction cost planning in Kota Bharu, the World Bank ICP reports a 2021 Malaysia construction price-level index of 44.5, with the world equal to 100. This is a national comparison—not a Kota Bharu MYR/m² rate or tender estimate—so replace it with current local evidence before budgeting or procurement. The observation covers construction across Malaysia in 2021; it does not measure a Kota Bharu market basket or current office tenders. GeoNames 1736376 records the locality at 6.1236, 102.2433, with snapshot population 568,900. That ranks Kota Bharu 12 of 50 listed places, while Pasir Mas is the nearest listed peer at about 14 km. Use these facts only to plan the comparable search. Obtain current local rates on a consistent area basis, then reconcile scope, taxes, fees, contingency and escalation. Retain the source, base date and reviewer when local evidence replaces the screening ratio.

*Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-15.*

## What does the 44.5 construction index mean?

The World Bank ICP 2021 construction PLI for **Malaysia is 44.5**, compared with a world benchmark of 100. It is a national spatial price comparison assembled for the 2021 reference year. It does not say that office work in Kota Bharu costs 0.445 times a current world rate.

## Which Kota Bharu inputs are known?

The reproducible locality point is **6.1236, 102.2433** (GeoNames 1736376). Its snapshot population is **568,900**, ranked 12 of 50 listed places; GeoNames classifies it as a first-order administrative seat in administrative area 03. These facts shape the local comparable search, not the price.

## What must a project estimate add?

For a Kota Bharu office project, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport. Use a consistent gross-floor-area basis and record the following before reliance.

| Estimate field | Screening record | Project requirement |
| --- | --- | --- |
| National context | ICP 2021 PLI 44.5 | Retain only as dated cross-country context |
| Local MYR/m² rate | Not supplied | Current comparable with named source and base date |
| Area and scope | Gross floor area; scope unresolved | Measurement standard, specification and procurement route |
| Additions | Not supplied | Taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation |
| Review | Automated source and arithmetic QA | Qualified local cost review |

## Kota Bharu comparable-location search screen

This shortlist is computed from the checked GeoNames snapshot. Distance and population help prioritize where to request comparables; neither is used as a cost multiplier.

| Listed place | Great-circle km from Kota Bharu | Snapshot population | Admin area |
| --- | ---: | ---: | --- |
| Pasir Mas | 14 | 230,424 | 03 |
| Kuala Terengganu | 133 | 426,500 | 13 |
| Sungai Petani | 201 | 544,851 | 02 |
| Alor Setar | 208 | 417,800 | 02 |
| Bukit Mertajam | 214 | 212,329 | 09 |
| Iskandar Puteri | 548 | 575,977 | 01 |
| Malacca | 437 | 579,000 | 04 |
| Pelentong | 541 | 583,640 | 01 |

## Price-level normalization worksheet

For a validated reference rate **R** from a country with construction PLI **P**, the transparent screening calculation is **R × (44.5 ÷ P)**. At P = 100 the dimensionless ratio is 0.445; no world cost rate is asserted. Keep the reference rate's currency, base date, area basis and scope attached.

| Input | Recorded value | Release condition |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Target national PLI | 44.5 (World = 100, 2021) | Screening context only |
| Reference construction PLI P | User-supplied from the same ICP classification/year | Must match reference rate country |
| Validated reference rate R | User-supplied | Named source, currency, date, area and scope |
| Local Kota Bharu adjustment | Not asserted | Replace with current local comparable evidence |
| Result status | Screening normalization | Not a budget, quote or tender estimate |

## Where can you explore related guidance?

- [Explore all construction costs guidance](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs.md)
- [House Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/house-construction-cost-kota-bharu-my.md)
- [School Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/school-construction-cost-kota-bharu-my.md)
- [Retail Construction Cost Planning: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/retail-construction-cost-kota-bharu-my.md)
- [Office Construction Cost Planning: Pasir Mas, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/office-construction-cost-pasir-mas-my.md)
- [All construction costs guidance for Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/construction-costs/malaysia.md)
- [Climate Design Data: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/climate-data/climate-design-data-kota-bharu-my.md)
- [Daylight & Orientation: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/daylight-orientation-kota-bharu-my.md)
- [Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/solar-altitude-azimuth-kota-bharu-my.md)
- [Solar Shading Design: Kota Bharu, Malaysia](https://harth.build/resources/solar-data/solar-shading-design-kota-bharu-my.md)

## Sources and method

National screening observation from the [World Bank ICP 2021 API](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json) and [ICP data documentation](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data); locality and population from the [GeoNames MY dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip) (CC BY 4.0 snapshot 2026-08-26, GeoNames ID 1736376). The PLI is not a city cost/m² rate, current escalation series or tender estimate.

### Source links

- [api.worldbank.org](https://api.worldbank.org/v2/sources/90/country/MYS/classification/PX.WL/series/1501200/time/YR2021/data?format=json)

- [worldbank.org](https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/icp/data)

- [download.geonames.org](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/MY.zip)

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the 44.5 index give a office cost per m² for Kota Bharu?

No. 44.5 is the World Bank ICP 2021 national construction price-level index for Malaysia, with the world equal to 100. It is a cross-country screening statistic, not a Kota Bharu MYR/m² rate, escalation index, quote or tender estimate.

### How should a Kota Bharu office estimate replace this screening benchmark?

Collect current Kota Bharu comparables on a consistent gross-floor-area basis, reconcile workplace fit-out grade, services density, floorplate efficiency and vertical transport, and state base date, currency, taxes, fees, site work, contingency and escalation. A qualified local cost professional should review the resulting project estimate.

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