Short answer: House construction cost in Lahore and Karachi is usually quoted per square foot of covered area, not per marla of plot. The same 5 Marla plot can produce very different bills depending on how much area you cover, how many stories you build, the finishing scope and the quality of materials. Use a range for planning, then replace it with a dated contractor quotation.

Start with covered area, not plot size

A 5 Marla plot is about 1,125 square feet and a 10 Marla plot about 2,250 square feet. The covered area is the part you actually build on each floor after setbacks, stairs, open space and local bylaws. If you build two floors, the total covered area is the sum of both floors, not the plot size twice.

The building material calculator asks for covered area per floor and multiplies it by the number of stories. That is the correct starting point for both material quantities and cost.

Lahore grey structure and finishing ranges

For planning in Q4 2026, a standard grey structure in Lahore commonly falls in a broad range of about PKR 2,800 to 3,950 per covered square foot. Complete finishing can range from about PKR 4,500 to 7,500 per square foot, with premium specifications going higher.

Economy work can be below the standard range, while imported fittings, heavy stone, custom joinery and complex architecture can exceed it. The range is not a quotation. It excludes land, approvals, utility connections, basement, boundary wall, landscaping, furniture and appliances.

Karachi grey structure and finishing ranges

Karachi planning ranges are broadly similar but not identical: about PKR 2,750 to 3,850 per square foot for grey structure and about PKR 4,600 to 7,800 for complete finishing in standard quality. Transport, labour availability, site access and material handling can move the final number.

Coastal exposure also matters. External paint, waterproofing, steel protection and plumbing specifications may need more attention than in a dry inland city. A cheap quote that ignores those details is not a like-for-like comparison.

5 Marla and 10 Marla examples

Suppose a 5 Marla plot has 900 square feet of covered area per floor and you build two stories, for 1,800 square feet total. At PKR 3,300 per square foot for grey structure, the planning cost is about PKR 5.94 million before the storey and site adjustments. At PKR 5,800 per square foot for complete finishing, it is about PKR 10.44 million.

A 10 Marla house with 1,800 square feet per floor and two stories has 3,600 square feet total. The same rates produce roughly PKR 11.88 million for grey structure and PKR 20.88 million for complete finishing. These examples are arithmetic, not quotes; your design and specification decide the real number.

Where the material budget goes

Bricks or blocks, cement, steel, sand and crush are the visible material lines, but they are not the whole budget. Labour, shuttering, scaffolding, waterproofing, electrical conduits, plumbing, doors, windows, tiles, paint and fixtures all take a share. The material calculator guide explains the per-square-foot ratios behind the quantities.

Steel and cement are price-sensitive. A small change in steel rate across a large frame can be significant. Ask for the steel grade, cement brand and bag weight in writing. Do not compare a quote that uses a lighter gauge or a different block size with one that does not.

How to compare contractor quotations

  1. Use the same covered-area schedule and floor count for every quote.
  2. Ask for a scope list: what is included and what is excluded.
  3. Confirm masonry type, wall thickness, block size and plaster thickness.
  4. Confirm steel grade, concrete mix and slab thickness.
  5. Check whether finishing includes tiles, paint, doors, windows, electrical fittings and sanitary fixtures.
  6. Ask who pays for wastage, transport, water, electricity and site security.
  7. Get a payment schedule tied to completed stages, not just a total.

Other Punjab cities

Lahore is not the whole province. Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Rawalpindi and smaller cities can have lower or higher delivered material rates depending on the source and transport distance. The calculator includes a separate “Punjab — other city” option so you can plan without pretending every district has a Lahore rate.

Verify before signing

Rates move. Ask for a dated quotation, visit an ongoing site if possible, and check the contractor's recent work. Keep a contingency of 5 to 10 percent for changes, delays and site waste. The lowest quote is not automatically the best value if it excludes work you will have to pay for later.

Frequently asked questions

What is the construction cost per square foot in Lahore in 2026?

A broad planning range is about PKR 2,800 to 3,950 per covered square foot for grey structure and PKR 4,500 to 7,500 for complete finishing. Premium specifications can go higher. Get a dated local quotation.

What is the construction cost per square foot in Karachi?

Plan around PKR 2,750 to 3,850 for grey structure and PKR 4,600 to 7,800 for complete finishing in standard quality, with coastal specification and site access affecting the final number.

How much does a 5 Marla house cost in Lahore?

It depends on covered area and stories. A two-storey 5 Marla house with 1,800 sq ft total covered area can plan around PKR 5.9 million for grey structure or PKR 10.4 million for complete finishing at the midpoint rates. This is not a quote.

Is a 10 Marla house double the cost of a 5 Marla house?

Not automatically. Cost follows covered area, stories, design and specification. A 10 Marla plot with the same covered area as a 5 Marla house can cost similarly; a larger built area costs more.

Does the cost include land and approvals?

No. The ranges cover construction materials and labour for the stated scope. Land, government approvals, utility connections, boundary walls, landscaping and furniture are separate.

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Published 2026-10-30 by Wafa Smart Tech, Lahore. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm current rules with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.