Grey Structure Cost Calculator (2025) | 5 Marla, 10 Marla, 1 Kanal and 2 Kanal House
Planning to build your home in Lahore or Islamabad? Understanding the grey structure cost is the crucial first step! The grey structure, or dhancha, forms the skeleton of your house. This guide breaks down what's included, the factors influencing the lagat (cost) in Pakistan (specifically Lahore, as of April 2025), how costs are estimated (fee square foot kharcha), and the major expenses involved, helping you budget accurately for this essential phase.
GREY STRUCTURE COST CALCULATOR
Minimal, fast, and accurate estimates with A-Grade baselines.
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Cost Breakdown
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Construction cost varies with location by-laws, soil profile, architectural/structural design, procurement, and supervision. This is an estimate for planning purposes.
What’s Included in Grey Structure
A concise, standards-based checklist used on Avenir Developments projects in Lahore & Islamabad. These inclusions align with architectural/structural drawings and typical housing-authority practices for dependable, approval-ready builds.
Site Preparation & Excavation
- Plot leveling & layout marking as per architectural and structural drawings.
- Water boring (if required by site conditions).
- Excavation for foundations to structural standards.
- PCC base, compaction & leveling for a stable foundation bed.
Pest Control & Initial Protection
- Comprehensive termite proofing for underground works (warranty-backed).
- Seepage control on base slab with approved waterproofing compounds.
- Ground floor termite treatment prior to PCC filling.
Foundation & Structural Work
- DPC up to ~3 ft below road level; backfilling & compaction (depth limits apply).
- First-class brick masonry up to lintel level.
- Steel-reinforced RCC slabs & beams as per structural drawings.
- Door bases (16-gauge metal) with anti-corrosive treatment; lintels & sun-shade projections.
External & Internal Grey Finishes
- Front elevation shaped per approved architectural / 3D drawings.
- Cement plaster on exterior & interior walls (ceilings usually excluded; opt for false ceilings).
- Staircase construction up to plaster level.
Plumbing, Sanitation & Utilities
- Underground sewerage piping (C.I) for baths, kitchens & waste outlets.
- PPRC internal sanitary piping for hot/cold water & gas.
- Underground electrical conduits as per approved layouts.
Floor, Roof & Boundary Works
- RCC floor slabs with water leveling as per design.
- Roof insulation/protection (plastic sheet, coal-tar & tiles) for heat & weather.
- Window safety grills (finishing excluded) and boundary wall with gate columns.
- External PCC flooring including ramp & walkway.
Defining the 'Dhancha':
What's Included?
Why Focus on Grey Cost Separately?
Key Materials in
Grey Structure (Bunyadi Maal)
The strength and cost of your grey structure heavily depend on core materials. The primary ones you’ll be budgeting for are Cement, Steel (Sarya), Bricks (Eentain), Sand (Rait), and Crush/Gravel (Bajri). The quality (mayar) and market rates (rate) of these items significantly impact the overall kharcha.
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Key Factors Influencing Your Grey Structure Cost
Plot Size, Design & Covered Area
The size of your plot (measured in Marla or Kanal) and the total covered area (in square feet) are primary cost drivers – bigger homes need more materials and labour. Complex architectural designs, non-standard ceiling heights (above 10ft), or adding more floors also increase the grey structure lagat due to increased material needs and structural requirements
Material Quality & Market Rates (Maal ka Mayar aur Rate)
The quality you choose matters. Using A-grade bricks (awwal eent), high-strength steel (sarya), premium cement brands, and specific types of sand/crush (like Margalla crush vs local bajri) impacts the cost. Fluctuating market rates for these core materials in Lahore also play a significant role in the final kharcha.
Location, Soil & Labour (Jagah, Mitti aur Mazdoori)
Construction costs vary by location; rates in Lahore might differ from other cities. Crucially, the soil condition (mitti ki haalat) of your plot impacts foundation design – weak soil may require expensive raft or pile foundations. Hiring skilled, experienced labour (mazdoor and thekedar) might cost slightly more but ensures quality and prevents costly errors.
Estimating Grey Structure Cost Per Square Foot (Fee Square Foot Kharcha)
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Current Rate in Lahore (November 2025)
As of November 2025 in Lahore, the estimated grey structure cost per square foot typically ranges from PKR 2,800 to PKR 3,400+. This is an estimate for standard A-category residential construction. Remember, this rate covers both materials and labour for the grey structure components mentioned earlier.
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What Drives Per Square Foot Variations?
Why the range? It depends on the factors we’ve discussed: specific material choices (e.g., type of sarya, brand of cement), structural complexity (beam sizes, slab thickness), foundation type dictated by soil tests, and whether you aim for standard (A-category) or premium (A+) grey structure specifications, which often involve higher-grade materials and stricter quality control.
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Beyond Square Foot: Importance of BOQ
While the fee square foot rate provides a quick estimate, it’s not precise. For accurate budgeting, a detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is essential. A professional consultant or company like Avenir Developments can prepare a BOQ based on your specific architectural drawings (naqsha), listing exact material quantities and associated costs.
grey structure works mistakes
Breakdown of Major Grey Structure Costs & Stages
Foundation & Earthwork (Bunyad aur Khudai)
This initial stage involves excavation (khudai) – approx. PKR 25-35/cubic foot, building the foundation with concrete and steel (sarya), constructing the Damp Proof Course (DPC), and basic waterproofing measures for the foundation (essential in many Lahore areas, costing PKR 25k-45k+). Foundation costs alone can be PKR 350-550+/sq ft depending on design.
Brickwork & Concrete (Eenton ka Kaam aur Concrete)
This covers the cost of bricks (eentain – approx. PKR 18-20/brick for A-grade, needing 45k-50k for 5 Marla), sand (rait), cement (PKR 1150-1300/bag, needing 500-600 bags for 5 Marla), crush (bajri), and the labour (mazdoori) for bricklaying and concrete work (columns, beams, lintels). This forms the bulk of the wall structure.
Roof Slab & Basic Utilities (Chhat aur Bunyadi Services)
Pouring the concrete roof slab (chhat) involves costs for shuttering, concrete mix (cement, sand, crush), substantial steel reinforcement (sarya), and labour. This phase also includes embedding basic UPVC/PPR pipes for plumbing (water supply, drainage – PKR 35k-55k+) and electrical conduits (PKR 45k-65k+) within the slab and walls before plastering.
why choose
why choose avenir developments
As an experienced architect and home builder, we’ve seen first hand the consequences of prioritizing low design fees over quality and expertise. While it may seem like a cost-saving measure upfront, opting for the cheapest architectural design services can often lead to significant expenses and headaches down the road.
At Avenir Developments, we believe that investing in quality architectural design is an investment in the long-term value and success of your project. Our fees reflect our commitment to providing comprehensive, well-coordinated design solutions that prioritize functionality, sustainability, and client satisfaction. We understand that design fees represent a small fraction of the overall project cost, and we believe that compromising on design quality to save money upfront is a short-sighted approach that can lead to significant financial and emotional costs in the future.
To get an accurate estimate of your architecture and design fee, we encourage you to contact us for a personalized consultation. We’ll discuss your project requirements, understand your vision, and provide a detailed proposal outlining our services and associated costs.
Saving You Cost and Time
Looking to build your dream house in Lahore or Islamabad? Our considered and innovative design-led approach to contemporary architecture delivers project with house construction cost within your budget.
The Anatomy of Construction Costs (2025)
Why it costs what it costs — and where your money goes
The Rising Cost of Building (2020–2025)
Costs aren’t static. Inflation, imports, and market volatility pushed Pakistan’s baseline construction cost up significantly over the last five years.
Estimated A-grade “all-in” cost per square foot.
What’s Driving the Costs?
Four key factors shape your final budget—from global markets to personal finish choices.
Exchange rate impacts imported items: tiles, fixtures, elevators, equipment.
Steel scrap & energy costs set the baseline for grey-structure materials.
Imported vs local tiles, modular vs local kitchens can swing budgets >200%.
Proximity to quarries—e.g., sand/crush pricier in Islamabad vs Lahore.
Where Your Money Goes: A+ (Premium) vs B+ (Budget)
Quality choice shifts the cost center. In premium builds, finishes dominate; in budget builds, structure does.
B+ Grade (Budget) Build
Grey structure is the dominant cost (54%).
A+ Grade (Premium) Build
Finishing becomes the dominant cost (56%).
grey structure cost
FAQs
Currently, in Lahore, expect a range of approximately PKR 2,800 to PKR 3,300+ per square foot for standard to prime quality residential grey structure construction, including materials and labour.
Based on the per sq ft rate and typical covered area (around 1800-2000 sq ft for double story), a 5 Marla grey structure in Lahore might range roughly from PKR 4.7 Million to PKR 6.6 Million+ (47 Lacs to 66 Lacs+) in April 2025, depending heavily on quality and design specifics.
Scaling up, a 10 Marla house (approx. 3200-3500 sq ft covered area) could see grey structure costs ranging from roughly PKR 8.3 Million to PKR 11.5 Million+ (83 Lacs to 1.15 Crore+) in Lahore during April 2025, subject to specifications.
Yes, typically the initial rough coat of cement plaster (kacha plaster) on walls (internal and external) and ceilings is included in the standard grey structure scope and cost. Finishing plaster (neeru / final coat) is part of the finishing stage.
- Poor soil conditions (loose, water-logged) require stronger, deeper, or more complex foundation designs (like raft or pile foundations) instead of standard isolated footings. This uses significantly more concrete and steel (sarya), drastically increasing the foundation portion of the grey structure cost. A soil test report is highly recommended before finalising foundation design and budget.
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LET US HELP YOU WITH GREY STRUCTURE COST
Confused about grey structure construction costs in Pakistan? Avenir Developments delivers Lahore and Islamabad’s most reliable, budget-friendly projects. With transparent pricing, expert craftsmanship, and on-time delivery, we eliminate hidden fees and delays. Building in Lahore or Islamabad? Skip the guesswork – claim your FREE quote today and start your project right, with Punjab’s trusted construction partner!
