Trademark Class 37: Building Construction & Repair Guide 2026

Key Takeaways

• Trademark Class 37 covers execution-based services — construction, repair, installation, restoration, and maintenance — under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
• Filing fees: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, DPIIT startups, and Udyam-registered MSMEs; ₹9,000 per class for companies, LLPs, and partnership firms (online filing via Form TM-A).
• Validity: 10 years from the date of application; renewable indefinitely in 10-year blocks via Form TM-R.
• What Class 37 does NOT cover: building materials (Class 19/6), architectural design (Class 42), real estate sales (Class 36), or manufacturing of construction products (Class 40).
• Multi-class strategy is the norm for construction brands — most file under Class 37 + Class 19 + Class 42 simultaneously for complete protection.
• Tender-readiness: A registered Class 37 trademark is increasingly checked by PSUs and government bodies during EPC contract pre-qualification and bidding.

What is Trademark Class 37?

Trademark Class 37 in India covers all execution-based services related to construction, repair, installation, restoration, and maintenance. It protects businesses that physically build, install, repair, or maintain structures, machinery, vehicles, and equipment.

Class 37 is especially important in India because infrastructure, real estate, and home-service businesses continue to expand.

This class falls under the NICE Classification system, managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It categorizes goods and services into 45 distinct classes for easier and more organized trademark registration. By assigning execution-based services to Class 37, the NICE system clearly separates them from design, consultancy, and product-focused activities.

Why Class 37 Trademark Registration Matters for Construction Businesses

A registered Class 37 trademark is more than a brand-protection formality for construction and infrastructure businesses — it directly affects contract eligibility, vendor onboarding, and dispute outcomes:

• Tender and contract eligibility — Several PSUs, state PWDs, and government infrastructure agencies treat trademark registration as a credibility marker during EPC tender pre-qualification.
• Franchise and licensing rights — Home-service brands like Urban Company and Housejoy can license their identity to partner contractors only because they hold registered Class 37 trademarks.
• Protection against passing off — Local contractors copying established brand names (a widespread issue in tier-2 and tier-3 markets) can be legally restrained only if your Class 37 mark is registered.
• Exclusivity across project sites — A registered mark gives you nationwide rights, preventing regional contractors from using a similar identity on signage, site hoardings, or vendor uniforms.
• Negotiating leverage in disputes — Subcontractor disputes over IP, especially where logos appear on shared deliverables, are easier to resolve with a registered Class 37 mark on record.
• Brand asset valuation — Registered trademarks count as intangible assets on the balance sheet, supporting valuations during fundraising, ESOP issuance, or M&A discussions.

Trademark Class for Building Construction in India

The trademark class for building construction in India is Class 37. It covers all residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction work — including civil construction, EPC contracting, roads and highways, bridges, dams, pipelines, transmission lines, and shipbuilding.

Construction businesses that also manufacture or sell materials (cement, steel, tiles, prefab components) should file additional applications under:

• Class 19 — non-metallic construction materials (cement, bricks, tiles, sand, concrete)
• Class 6 — metal construction materials (steel pipes, rods, beams)
• Class 42 — architectural and structural design services (if you also offer in-house design)

This multi-class strategy is standard for large construction groups — for example, Larsen & Toubro and Shapoorji Pallonji hold registrations across Class 37, Class 19, Class 6, and Class 42 simultaneously to protect their service brand, materials, and design consultancy arms.

Who Can File for Trademark Class 37?

Any business that provides services related to construction, repair, or maintenance can file for trademark registration under Class 37. These include:

• Building and civil construction companies are involved in residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
• Specialized construction contractors such as painters, plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, roofers, and other on-site service providers.
• Renovation and interior fit-out firms handling office interiors, restaurant fit-outs, commercial refurbishments, and home renovation projects.
• Equipment installation service providers are installing elevators, escalators, solar panels, fire alarms, CCTV systems, HVAC systems, kitchen equipment, and industrial machinery.
• Repair and maintenance service brands, including vehicle service stations, appliance repair companies, machinery repair providers, and facility maintenance businesses.
• Cleaning and sanitation service companies offering building cleaning, deep-cleaning, pest control, sanitation, and window-cleaning services.
• Home-service platforms like Urban Company, NoBroker, and Housejoy provide repair, installation, and maintenance services through partner networks.
• Shipbuilding, mining, and drilling firms are involved in shipbuilding, quarrying, oil and gas drilling, underwater construction, and repair services.
• Vehicle maintenance and detailing brands offering car washing, lubrication, polishing, anti-rust treatment, tyre services, and roadside breakdown assistance.

Class 37 Trademark and Government Tender Eligibility

For construction, EPC, and infrastructure businesses, a registered Class 37 trademark increasingly matters during government tender bidding and PSU vendor onboarding:

• PWD and CPWD bids in several states list trademark registration among credibility indicators during pre-qualification.
• Indian Railways, NHAI, and PSU EPC contracts routinely require bidders to disclose IP holdings as part of technical bid evaluation.
• GeM (Government e-Marketplace) registration for construction services categories runs more smoothly when applicants have proof of trademark registration linked to their brand name.
• Subcontractor disputes over branding rights during joint ventures are easier to resolve when the lead contractor has a registered Class 37 mark.

Construction businesses preparing for high-value tenders should secure Class 37 registration at least 6–9 months ahead of major bidding cycles, factoring in the standard 12–18 month registration timeline.

Services Covered Under Trademark Class 37 (NCL 13-2026)

Class 37 covers a broad spectrum of execution-based services. Here’s the complete category-wise breakdown:

Category	Services Covered
Building Construction Services	Construction of homes, commercial buildings, factories, warehouses, roads, bridges, dams, harbours, pipelines, transmission lines, shops, and exhibition stalls. Also includes construction supervision and construction consultancy.
Specialised On-Site Trades	Painting, plumbing, masonry, bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, roofing, scaffolding, sanding, riveting, wallpapering, varnishing, asphalting, and damp-proofing services.
Installation Services	Installation of HVAC systems, air conditioners, heating equipment, elevators, lifts, doors, windows, electrical appliances, irrigation systems, furnaces, fire alarms, burglar alarms, kitchen equipment, telephone systems, and computer hardware.
Repair Services	Repair of vehicles, aircraft, machinery, computers, safes, watches, clocks, locks, power lines, musical instruments, shoes, umbrellas, clothing, and photographic equipment. Also covers restoration of artworks and rebuilding damaged engines or machines.
Maintenance Services	Building maintenance, machinery servicing, swimming pool maintenance, office equipment maintenance, furniture maintenance, vehicle servicing, pipeline maintenance, and preventive maintenance for residential and commercial properties.
Vehicle Services	Car washing, vehicle polishing, lubrication, anti-rust treatment, tyre balancing, tyre retreading, tyre vulcanisation, battery charging, vehicle servicing, and roadside breakdown assistance.
Cleaning and Sanitation Services	Building cleaning, street cleaning, chimney sweeping, boiler cleaning, window cleaning, dry cleaning, laundering, ironing, leather care, fur care, and rental of cleaning machines.
Pest Control and Disinfection	Disinfecting, rat extermination, pest control, and vermin extermination services for non-agricultural purposes.
Mining, Drilling, and Extraction Services	Quarrying, mining extraction, well drilling, deep oil and gas drilling, underwater repair, and underwater construction services.
Equipment Rental Services	Rental of cranes, bulldozers, excavators, drainage pumps, road sweepers, laundry machines, and other construction equipment.
Shipbuilding and Maritime Services	Shipbuilding, harbour construction, pier construction, breakwater building, and underwater marine construction services.
Miscellaneous Services	Knife sharpening, toner cartridge refilling, electrical interference suppression, artificial snow-making, and clothing repair services.

Services Not Included in Trademark Class 37

Some services, despite being related to construction or similar sectors, fall under different trademark classes due to their specific nature. These include: 

• Architectural design, structural engineering, and urban planning fall under Class 42 because they involve design, planning, and technical consultancy services rather than physical construction work.
• Real estate sales, leasing, property management, and property valuation belong to Class 36 since they are financial and real estate services.
• Building materials such as cement, bricks, tiles, sand, and concrete products fall under Class 19 because they are physical non-metal construction goods.
• Metal construction materials like steel pipes, rods, beams, and metal frameworks fall under Class 6, which covers metal goods and materials.
• Manufacturing construction products or prefabricated materials belongs to Class 40 because it covers material treatment and industrial manufacturing services.
• Storage and warehousing of construction materials, vehicles, or goods fall under Class 39, which covers transport and logistics services.
• Dyeing or treatment of fabrics and clothing belongs to Class 40 because it involves material processing rather than repair services.
• Interior decoration consultancy and space design services fall under Class 42 since they involve creative and design consultancy.
• Furniture, cabinets, fixtures, and finished furnishing products belong to Class 20, which protects furniture goods rather than installation services.

If your business offers both construction services and product sales, you should file a multi-class trademark application for complete protection. For example, IKEA files trademarks under Class 37 for assembly and installation services and Class 20 for furniture products.

How to Register Your Trademark in Class 37?

Follow these steps to smoothly register your trademark in Class 37:

1. Conduct a Trademark Search: Check whether your trademark is unique before filing. Search for identical, similar, and phonetically similar marks related to construction, repair, installation, and maintenance services. This helps avoid objections under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
2. Prepare and File the Application: File your trademark application with accurate Class 37 service details, including applicant details, logo or wordmark, proof of use, if applicable, and description of services.
3. Pay the Government Fees: Submit the application through the IP India Trademark E-Filing Portal. The government fee is ₹4,500 for individuals, startups, and MSMEs and ₹9,000 for companies and other entities.
4. Respond to Examination Objections: The Trademark Registry examines your application for legal compliance and similarity with existing marks under Sections 9 and 11 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. If the examiner raises an objection, file your reply within 30 days of receiving the Examination Report under Rule 33 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Missing this deadline can cause your application to be marked abandoned — there is no automatic extension.
5. Complete Journal Publication: Once accepted, the Registry publishes your trademark in the Trademark Journal. Third parties can oppose the application within four months.
6. Receive Trademark Registration: If no opposition is filed, the Registry registers your trademark. You can then use the ® symbol and gain exclusive rights over your Class 37 services for 10 years, with unlimited renewals.

Class 37 Trademark Registration Fees in India

Government fees are charged per class under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Construction businesses that file multi-class applications (Class 37 + Class 19 + Class 42, for example) pay the per-class fee for each class included.

Applicant Type	Online Filing (Form TM-A)	Physical Filing
Individual / Sole Proprietor	₹4,500 per class	₹5,000 per class
Startup (DPIIT-recognised)	₹4,500 per class	₹5,000 per class
Small Enterprise (Udyam-registered MSME)	₹4,500 per class	₹5,000 per class
Company / LLP / Partnership Firm	₹9,000 per class	₹10,000 per class

Total Fee Estimator — Multi-Class Filing for Construction Brands

Filing Strategy	Individual / Startup / MSME	Company / LLP / Partnership
Class 37 only	₹4,500	₹9,000
Class 37 + Class 19 (services + materials)	₹9,000	₹18,000
Class 37 + Class 42 (services + design)	₹9,000	₹18,000
Class 37 + Class 19 + Class 42 (full coverage)	₹13,500	₹27,000
Class 37 + Class 6 + Class 19 + Class 42 (large construction group)	₹18,000	₹36,000

Professional fees charged by trademark attorneys are separate, typically ₹3,000–₹15,000 per class.

Trademark Classes Similar to Trademark Class 37

Construction and infrastructure brands often need multi-class protection. Here are the classes most frequently filed alongside Class 37:

Class	What It Covers	Why It Matters for a Class 37 Brand
Class 6	Metal building materials, including steel, pipes, and hardware	File here if you also manufacture or sell metal construction goods.
Class 19	Non-metallic building materials, like cement, bricks, tiles, sand	File here if you sell construction materials alongside services.
Class 20	Furniture and fixtures	File here if you supply furniture as part of fit-out work.
Class 35	Retail, distribution, advertising, e-commerce	File here if you operate an online store or franchise network.
Class 36	Real estate, property management, and financial services	File here if your firm handles real estate sales or property management.
Class 40	Manufacturing and material treatment	File here if you also manufacture building products.
Class 42	Architecture, engineering, design, and scientific services	File here if you offer design or consulting services alongside construction.

Get your Class 37 trademark filed the right way with RegisterKaro. Our trademark experts work with construction firms, contractors, repair brands, and home-services platforms across India. We handle the entire process, from trademark search and Class 37 service mapping to multi-class filings, objection replies, and final registration certificates. Book a free consultation and protect your brand before someone else builds on it!

---