BOQ for House Construction in Lahore: Sample Format & Guide
Updated October 2026. This guide explains what a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) contains for a house in Lahore, how to read one, and how to use it to compare contractors.
Planning a home in Bahria Town? See how house construction in Bahria Town Lahore works, from the BTAP NOC to completion.
What is inside a house BOQ
A house BOQ is grouped by trade. The names differ between contractors, but these are the sections you should expect to see, and what to check in each.
| Section | What it covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation and earthwork | Digging, filling, compaction, disposal of extra soil | Quantity in cubic feet and who removes the soil |
| Foundation and plinth | Plain concrete, RCC footings, plinth beams, damp proofing | Concrete grade, steel weight, damp-proof course |
| RCC structure | Columns, beams, roof slabs, staircase, lintels | Steel in kilograms and its grade, concrete volume, cement brand |
| Brickwork and masonry | Exterior and interior walls, boundary wall | Brick type, wall thickness, area in square feet |
| Plaster | Internal and external plaster | Thickness, area, mix ratio |
| Electrical (rough-in) | Conduits, boxes, points before finishing | Number of points and conduit quality |
| Plumbing and drainage | Water supply lines, drainage, septic tank, water tank | Pipe material and size, tank capacity |
| Doors, windows and woodwork | Frames, shutters, cabinets | Wood or aluminium, thickness, hardware brand |
| Flooring and tiles | Floors, wall tiles, skirting, bathrooms | Tile brand and grade, area, wastage allowed |
| Paint and finishing | Putty, primer, paint, fixtures, lights | Number of coats and paint brand |
A grey structure BOQ stops after the structural and masonry work. A turnkey BOQ continues through finishing. Ask any contractor to state in writing exactly where their grey structure scope ends, because the boundary is not the same everywhere.
How one BOQ line is built
Every line follows the same five columns. The table below shows the format only. The quantity for your house comes from your own drawings and the rate is agreed with you, so no real figures are shown here.
| Item | Unit | Quantity | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation for foundation | cft | Measured from drawing | Agreed rate | Quantity × rate |
| RCC reinforcement steel | kg | Measured from structural drawing | Agreed rate | Quantity × rate |
| Brickwork, 9 inch wall | sqft | Measured from drawing | Agreed rate | Quantity × rate |
| Internal plaster | sqft | Measured from drawing | Agreed rate | Quantity × rate |
BOQ or per-sqft quote: which is better?
| Per-sqft quote | BOQ | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | One rate and one total | Every item with quantity and rate |
| Comparing contractors | Hard, because inclusions differ | Direct, line by line |
| Material grades | Often not stated | Stated per item |
| Changes during the build | Argued over a lump sum | Priced as a variation on the line affected |
| Hidden exclusions | Easy to miss | Visible as missing lines |
A per-sqft rate is useful for a first idea of budget. A BOQ is what you sign against.
How to compare two BOQs
- Same drawing. Both BOQs must be measured from the same approved plan, otherwise the quantities are not comparable.
- Grades and brands named. Cement brand, steel grade, brick type and tile grade should be written against the item.
- Exclusions listed. Boundary wall, water tank, septic tank, and approvals are common items that go missing.
- Provisional sums. If an item is a lump allowance instead of a measured quantity, ask what it covers.
- Wastage. Check whether wastage is included in the quantity or added on top.
- Variation rule. The BOQ should say how changes are priced.
- Payment schedule. Payments should be tied to completed stages.
BOQs for DHA, Bahria Town and Lake City
Each society has its own approval process and building bylaws, covering things such as covered area, setbacks and basement rules. The BOQ is prepared from the drawing approved for your plot, so it follows what your society allows. Share your society, phase or sector and plot size when you send your drawings.
What we need to prepare your BOQ
| Item | Why we need it |
|---|---|
| Plot size and society | Decides rules, setbacks and covered area |
| Approved or draft drawings | Quantities are measured from the plan |
| Scope: grey structure or turnkey | Decides which sections the BOQ covers |
| Location and site access | Affects delivery and site setup |
For a rough reference only, grey structure in Lahore is currently estimated at Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,250 per sqft of covered area (approximate). Your BOQ gives the exact figure for your house.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BOQ in house construction?
A BOQ (Bill of Quantities) is an itemised list of every work item and material in your house, with the unit, quantity, rate and amount for each. It runs from excavation to finishing, so you can see what you are paying for and compare contractors line by line.
Is a BOQ the same as a cost estimate?
No. An estimate usually gives one total or a per-sqft figure. A BOQ breaks that total into measured items, so you can check quantities, grades and exclusions before work starts.
How is a BOQ prepared for a house in Lahore?
Quantities are measured from your approved drawings: excavation in cubic feet, concrete in cubic feet, steel in kilograms, brickwork and plaster in square feet. Each quantity is multiplied by an agreed rate to give the amount for that line.
Can I get a BOQ without drawings?
A BOQ can only be accurate when it is measured from drawings. If you do not have drawings yet, share your plot size and society and we can guide you on the next step, but the final BOQ needs the approved plan.
What happens if I change something after the BOQ is agreed?
Changes you request after approval are recorded as variations, with the added or removed quantity and its rate, so the difference stays visible instead of being absorbed into a lump sum.
Do you sell fixed packages?
No. We do not use fixed packages. Every house is priced through its own BOQ, based on its drawings, society and scope.
Can overseas Pakistanis get a BOQ remotely?
Yes. Send your plot details and drawings on WhatsApp and we prepare the BOQ remotely. Our guide for overseas Pakistanis explains how site updates and payments are handled.
Related: house construction services in Lahore, grey structure construction, turn key construction, building from overseas, 10 marla construction cost, and live site updates.
Ready to see your numbers?
Send your plot size, society and drawings and we will start your BOQ.