Construction
Construction Hub
Material reference prices, vetted contractors, and build cost estimates
Find a Builder
Match verified contractors by city, budget, and plot size. Contact via WhatsApp or submit a quote request.
Residential build cost estimator
Model plot price plus construction by finish tier (economy / standard / premium). Get total cost, finished-house FMV, and 5-year appreciation.
- • Economy — ₨3,500/sqft
- • Standard — ₨5,500/sqft
- • Premium — ₨8,500/sqft
Construction 101 for first-time builders
A practical overview for Pakistan owner-builders — from drawings to keys. Not legal advice; always confirm society and LDA/CDA rules for your plot.
Education
The four main phases
- 1
Design & drawings
Hire an architect for floor plans, elevations, and structural coordination. Finalize marla coverage, setbacks, and services (electric, plumbing) before any site work. Society may require stamped drawings before NOC.
- 2
NOC & approvals
Submit to housing society (DHA, Bahria, LDA scheme, etc.) for building plan approval and NOC to start construction. Fees, inspections, and timeline depend on society — often 1–3 months; some phases are faster on possession plots.
- 3
Grey structure
Foundation, columns, slabs, brickwork, roof, and basic openings — no finishes. Clear BOQ (bill of quantities) with cement, steel, and labour rates. Stage payments tied to slab casts and lintel levels, not vague monthly lumps.
- 4
Finishing
Plaster, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, paint, electrical fixtures, and external works. Highest variation in cost — specify brands, tile sizes, and fixture tiers in writing. MEP testing before closing walls.
Typical timelines (5–10 marla house)
Actual duration varies by city, society approvals, weather, and contractor capacity. Add buffer for Ramadan and monsoon.
| Phase | Typical |
|---|---|
| Design & revisions | 2–6 weeks |
| Society NOC / plan approval | 4–12 weeks |
| Grey structure | 3–6 months |
| Finishing | 4–8 months |
| Total (design → handover) | 12–24 months |
Design & revisions: Longer if family sign-off or structural redesign
Society NOC / plan approval: DHA/Bahria can be faster on standard designs
Grey structure: ~5 marla: often 3–4 mo; 10 marla: 5–6 mo
Finishing: Premium finishes and imported fittings add time
Total (design → handover): Plan 15–18 months as a realistic midpoint
Red flags when hiring a contractor
Walk away or get a second opinion if you see several of these — especially before signing or paying a large advance.
- •No written contract, BOQ, or payment schedule — only verbal promises
- •Demands 70–100% payment upfront before mobilization on site
- •Refuses society NOC or asks you to build “without files” to save time
- •Cannot show recent completed projects, references, or registered firm details
- •Quote far below market with no breakdown — often low-grade materials or mid-project extras
- •No site engineer or daily supervision; owner told to “trust the mistri”
- •Pressure to skip soil test, termite treatment, or curing time for slabs
- •Cash-only with no receipts; unwilling to align with bank construction finance
- •Subcontractors complain of non-payment — sign of cash-flow risk
- •Changes scope or price after grey structure without written change orders
DealVision provides general education only. Hire a qualified architect/engineer for structural design and obtain official NOCs from your society and development authority.
Material price reference
Manually updated PKR bands — verify with your supplier before procurement
| Material | Price (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Cement (OPC) | Rs 1,280 |
| Steel (grade 60) | Rs 285,000 |
| Bricks (A-grade) | Rs 18,500 |
| Sand (Ravi / Chenab) | Rs 85 |
Cement (OPC): 50kg bag — reference May 2026
Steel (grade 60): Mill quotation average
Bricks (A-grade): First-class burnt bricks
Sand (Ravi / Chenab): Delivered clean sand
Contractor directory
Grey structure, finish, and full-build specialists by city
Al-Haram Builders
Lahore
LDA-BLD-2019-4421
DHA / Bahria grey structure + turnkey
Manually updated PKR bands — verify with your supplier before procurement