Real construction rates for 16 August 2026, by plot size and quality. Every figure is per square foot of covered area — never plot area.
The mistake that costs people lakhs. A 1 kanal plot is 4,500 sq ft of land, but a double-storey house on it is around 6,000 sq ft of covered area. If someone quotes you a per-square-foot rate against the plot size, the real bill will land roughly 40% higher than you were told. Always ask which area the rate is against.
Where these numbers come from. Eight Lahore builders and Zameen's own calculator, compiled 16 August 2026. Note that Zameen's calculator returns roughly 4,500–4,700 per sq ft turnkey while Lahore builders quote 6,500–8,500 for the same house. Both are honest — Zameen prices materials and site labour at basic specification, builders add margin, design, supervision, wastage and DHA-grade finishing. We publish the builder figure because that is what you will actually be asked to pay.
What the material rates are doing
Material
Rate
Movement
Cement — 50 kg bag
PKR 1,400 – 1,610
up 8–10% since early 2026
Steel / saria
PKR 255 – 265 per kg
up 12–15%; jumped in July, now flat
Bricks — A-grade (awwal)
PKR 17,000 – 22,000 per 1,000
steady
Sand — Chenab (concrete)
PKR 55 – 75 per cft
varies by pit and haulage
Crush / bajri
PKR 75 – 100 per cft
varies by source
Skilled labour (mason)
PKR 2,500 – 3,500 per day
Punjab notified 2,000 in July
Cement is up 8–10% and steel 12–15% since early 2026. Steel jumped 10,000–15,000 per ton in July and has since flattened. These move around 10% a quarter — we refresh this page quarterly, same as the file rates.
Grey structure — what you get and what you don't
Included in grey
Excavation and foundation
Masonry and RCC — slabs, beams, columns
Staircase to plaster level
Internal and external plaster
Underground sewerage
PPRC water piping
Electrical conduiting
Roof waterproofing
Window grills
Boundary wall with gate columns
Not included — this is what finishing buys
Flooring and tiles
Paint and wall finishes
Ceilings and false ceilings
Doors and windows
Sanitary and electrical fixtures
Lighting
Kitchen and wardrobe cabinetry
Exterior cladding and elevation finish
Landscaping
Basements cost about a third more per square foot — PKR 4,000–4,600 against 2,900–3,300 above ground. That premium applies to the basement's own area. On a difficult water table, dewatering and retaining walls can push it further — get the soil test done before anyone quotes you.
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