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Grey Structure Construction Cost in Lahore 2026: Materials & Labour Rate Per Sq Ft
Quick answer (2026): As per current market rates, grey structure construction in Lahore costs Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,250 per sq ft of covered area (estimated and approximate cost only). This single rate already bundles both materials (cement, steel, bricks, sand, crush) and labour (mason, steel fixer, electrician, plumber). Roughly 65 to 70 percent of the rate is materials and 30 to 35 percent is labour. For the total cost of a specific house, see our 10 Marla and 5 Marla cost guides; this page explains what makes up the rate. Free BOQ: 0323 9999450.
What is grey structure (and what it is not)
Grey structure is the bare, load-bearing shell of a building: foundation, columns, beams, brick walls, roof slabs, stairs, lintels, plaster, and the rough electrical and plumbing conduiting cast into the structure. It stops before any finishing.
| Included in grey structure | Not included (finishing) |
|---|---|
| Foundation & DPC | Tiles, marble, flooring |
| Columns, beams, RCC slabs | Paint & wall finishes |
| Brick walls & plaster | False ceilings |
| Staircase structure, lintels | Doors, windows, wardrobes |
| Rough plumbing & electrical conduits | Sanitary & electrical fixtures |
| Water tanks (structure) | Kitchen, cabinetry, fittings |
Grey structure rate per sq ft in Lahore 2026
As per current market rates, the grey-structure rate in Lahore for 2026 is Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,250 per sq ft of covered area (estimated and approximate cost only). This rate is calculated on covered area (total floor area across all storeys), not plot size. For the current benchmark and how it is derived, see our dedicated grey structure rate per sq ft in Pakistan page.
The rate moves within this range depending on structural design (spans, storeys, basement), foundation type, and the brands of cement, steel and bricks specified in your BOQ.
What makes up the rate: materials
Within the grey structure rate, materials are the larger share (about 65 to 70 percent). These are approximate consumption figures per sq ft of covered area for a standard double-storey house; actual quantities are fixed in your BOQ from the structural drawings.
| Material | Approx. consumption (per sq ft covered) | Share of material cost |
|---|---|---|
| Steel (Grade-60 rebar) | ~2.8 to 3.5 kg | Largest (~25 to 30%) |
| Cement | ~0.4 bag | ~20 to 24% |
| Bricks (A-class) | ~8 to 12 nos | ~18 to 22% |
| Sand & crush (aggregates) | varies by RCC volume | ~12 to 16% |
| Misc (blocks, wire, waterproofing) | as required | ~6 to 10% |
Two things move this the most: steel (price per ton swings the whole rate) and cement. When steel or cement prices rise in the market, the grey rate rises with them, which is why we date and review this page.
Labour cost by trade (and the Rs 375 confusion)
Labour is about 30 to 35 percent of the grey rate, split across trades. Approximate per-sq-ft labour rates in Lahore, 2026:
| Trade | Approx. labour rate | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Civil / mason (main) | Rs 350 to 500 per sq ft | Masonry, concrete, plaster |
| Steel fixer | ~Rs 8 to 12 per kg | Cutting, bending, fixing rebar |
| Electrician (rough) | Rs 80 to 130 per sq ft | Conduiting only, no fixtures |
| Plumber (rough) | Rs 80 to 130 per sq ft | Pipe rough-in only, no fittings |
Important: the figure you often hear, "labour is Rs 375 per sq ft," refers only to the civil/mason labour, not the whole grey structure. Total labour across all trades is roughly 30 to 35 percent of the full Rs 3,000 to 3,250 rate. So a "Rs 375/sqft labour" quote and a "Rs 3,000/sqft grey" quote measure two different things, and mixing them up is how people misjudge a builder's price.
Does the rate include materials and labour?
Yes. Our grey structure rate of Rs 3,000 to 3,250 per sq ft is a materials-plus-labour rate: it includes the cost of cement, steel, bricks, sand and crush and the labour to build with them. A "labour-only" contract, where you buy the materials yourself, is a different arrangement and a different number. Always confirm, in writing, whether a quote is labour-only or with materials, because the two can differ by more than double.
How to read a grey structure quotation (BOQ)
A trustworthy grey structure quotation is a BOQ (Bill of Quantities), not a one-line rate. A proper BOQ lists, for every item:
- The material, fixed by brand and grade (a named cement, Grade-60 rebar, A-class bricks)
- The quantity (bags, tons, cubic feet, number)
- The unit rate and the line total
- The labour for that item
- A clear scope: what is and is not included
If a quote cannot show you these line items, it is an estimate, not a contract. A fixed-price BOQ locks each of these before work starts, so the final bill matches the quote.
Grey structure rate variation by location
The per-sq-ft grey rate is broadly similar across Lahore. What changes society to society is approvals and covered-area rules, not the rate itself:
- DHA (all phases): slab-by-slab inspections and DHA-registered drawings; strictest standards.
- Bahria Town: BTAP approval and bylaws.
- LDA and private societies: LDA map approval; covered-area allowances often larger.
We handle the approval process for your society as part of the project.
How to control your grey structure cost
- Finalise structural drawings before starting; design changes mid-build waste steel and concrete.
- Get a line-item BOQ, not a lump-sum rate, so quantities and brands are fixed.
- Do not over-specify steel beyond the structural design, and do not under-specify either.
- Buy at slab stage in planned lots to ride out price swings.
- Verify delivered quantities: weigh steel, count cement bags and bricks.
Get a line-item grey structure BOQ for your plot, free site visit and quotation.
WhatsApp us Call 0323 9999450Why build your grey structure with Glorious Builders
Glorious Builders has built grey structures across Lahore since 2000, from our DHA Phase 6 office. Every project uses Grade-60 rebar, branded cement and A-class bricks, fixed by brand and grade in a detailed BOQ before a single brick is laid, on a fixed-price contract with weekly progress updates and a written warranty. Rated 4.9 from 94 Google reviews.
Related construction costs
- 10 Marla house construction cost in Lahore
- 5 Marla house construction cost in Lahore
- Grey structure rate per sq ft in Pakistan
- House construction cost calculator
- Grey structure construction service
Frequently asked questions
What is the grey structure rate per sq ft in Lahore in 2026?
As per current market rates, Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,250 per sq ft of covered area (estimated and approximate). The rate includes both materials and labour.
Does the grey structure rate include materials and labour?
Yes. Our rate is a materials-plus-labour rate. A labour-only contract, where you supply materials yourself, is a separate and different figure.
Why is grey structure labour Rs 375 per sq ft different from the Rs 3,000 per sq ft rate?
Rs 375 refers only to civil or mason labour. Total labour across all trades is about 30 to 35 percent of the full grey rate; the Rs 3,000 to 3,250 figure includes materials as well.
What materials are used in a grey structure?
Cement, Grade-60 steel rebar, A-class bricks, sand and crush (aggregates), plus miscellaneous items like binding wire, blocks and waterproofing. Steel and cement move the cost the most.
How much steel and cement does a grey structure need?
Approximately 2.8 to 3.5 kg of steel and about 0.4 bag of cement per sq ft of covered area for a standard double storey. Exact quantities come from the structural drawings and your BOQ.
Is the grey structure rate the same in DHA, Bahria Town and LDA areas?
The per sq ft rate is broadly similar; approvals, inspections and covered-area rules differ by society, and we handle those for you.
What is not included in the grey structure cost?
Finishing: tiles, paint, ceilings, doors, windows, kitchens, wardrobes, and sanitary and electrical fixtures. These are quoted separately.