Construction costs in Lahore
Indicative per-square-foot rates for grey structure and turnkey construction, and the scope behind each figure.
In our estimator, grey structure in Lahore is priced at PKR 2,800 per square foot and standard turnkey construction from PKR 5,000 per square foot. These are baselines for typical specifications, not quotations: the written BOQ fixes the measured quantity, specification and rate for every line before work starts.
Current rates by package
| Package | Rate (PKR / sq ft) | What the rate covers |
|---|---|---|
| Grey structure | 2,800 | Foundations, RCC frame, masonry, roof slab and service rough-ins. No finishes. |
| Turnkey — standard | 5,000 | Local-brand tiles, standard joinery, paint, basic sanitary ware and electrical fittings. |
| Turnkey — premium | 7,000 | Imported or premium local finishes, custom joinery, upgraded fixtures and lighting. |
| Turnkey — luxury | 9,000 | Stone and imported finishes, bespoke joinery, high-specification fixtures and coordinated lighting. |
| Basement add-on | 1,200 | Per square foot of basement area, covering excavation support, waterproofing and tanking. |
| Rooftop add-on | 800 | Per square foot, covering screed, insulation and parapet works over the covered area. |
Adjustments applied to the base rates
- Commercial buildings: +15% on the base rate
- Renovation and remodelling: -35% on the base rate
- Projects in Islamabad: +5% on the base rate
What these rates do not include
- Land, transfer costs, approval and utility connection fees
- Structural design, architectural drawings and consultant fees
- Boundary walls, landscaping, swimming pools and external development
- Furniture, appliances and loose fittings
- Abnormal ground conditions, rock excavation or dewatering
A per-square-foot rate is a budgeting tool. It assumes a typical specification and typical site conditions, and it cannot price what has not been measured. The BOQ replaces it with quantities, rates and a written specification, which is the document a construction contract should be built on.
Cost questions
What is the construction rate per square foot in Lahore?
The baseline grey-structure rate in our estimator is PKR 2,800 per square foot, and standard turnkey construction starts at PKR 5,000 per square foot. Both figures are before site-specific factors such as basement depth, soil conditions and specification upgrades, and the final figure is fixed line by line in a written BOQ.
Why is a turnkey rate higher than a grey structure rate?
Grey structure covers only the structural shell and service rough-ins. Turnkey adds flooring, joinery, kitchens, bathrooms, paint and fixtures, so the difference between the two rates is roughly the cost of the entire finishing package.
Does the per-square-foot rate include the basement?
No. A basement is priced separately at roughly PKR 1,200 per square foot of basement area, because it requires excavation support, tanking and waterproofing that a surface floor does not.
How accurate is a per-square-foot estimate?
It is accurate enough to budget and compare builders, and not accurate enough to sign. A per-square-foot figure assumes a typical specification; the BOQ replaces it with measured quantities, named rates and a stated specification, which is the document a contract should be based on.
When were these rates last reviewed?
The dates shown on this page record when the estimator matrix was last saved. Construction material prices in Pakistan move, so treat any figure older than a quarter as indicative and ask for a current quotation.