How to Estimate Grey Structure Cost in Pakistan

Grey structure refers to the skeleton of a building — everything from foundation to roof slab, excluding finishing work. In 2026, grey structure costs in Pakistan range from PKR 2,800–4,500 per square foot depending on location, material quality, and number of stories. Major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad tend to be 15–25% higher than smaller cities.

Cement: PKR 1,350–1,550 per bag (varies by brand — Lucky, DG Khan, Bestway, Maple Leaf). Steel: PKR 260,000–290,000 per ton (Amreli, Ittefaq, Mughal). Bricks: PKR 14,000–18,000 per 1000 pieces (first class). Sand (Ravi/Chenab): PKR 80,000–110,000 per trolley. Crush/Aggregate: PKR 5,500–7,500 per 100 cft. Materials typically account for 55–65% of grey structure cost.

Mason (Mistri): PKR 1,500–2,500 per day. Helper (Mazdoor): PKR 1,000–1,500 per day. Shuttering carpenter: PKR 1,800–2,800 per day. Steel fixer (Sariya wala): PKR 1,500–2,200 per day. Electrician (rough-in): PKR 1,500–2,500 per day. Plumber (rough-in): PKR 1,500–2,500 per day. Labor costs have increased 20–30% over the past two years due to inflation.

Water supply for construction: PKR 50,000–150,000 for the entire project. Temporary electricity connection: PKR 30,000–50,000. Soil testing: PKR 15,000–30,000. Building plan approval fees: PKR 50,000–200,000. Contractor overhead/profit: 10–15% of total cost. Waste disposal and site cleaning: PKR 30,000–60,000. Always keep a 10–15% contingency buffer above your estimated budget.

Economy construction: PKR 2,800–3,200/sq ft. Standard construction: PKR 3,200–3,800/sq ft. Premium construction: PKR 3,800–4,500/sq ft. These rates include foundation, structure, basic electrical conduits, and plumbing rough-in. Finishing costs (flooring, paint, fixtures) add another PKR 1,500–4,000/sq ft depending on quality chosen.