Grey Structure House Construction: Meaning, Stages and Cost in Lahore (2026-27)
By Tanveer Ahmed, CEO, Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO) · Updated · Reviewed by ACCO architects and engineers
Quick Answer
Grey structure cost in Lahore 2026-27: Rs 2,800-3,500 per sq ft. 5 marla, 10 marla and 1 kanal estimates, what is included and stages. Free quote: 0322-8000190. Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO), based in Gulberg-III Lahore since 1998, provides house construction in Lahore with design drawings free on award of construction.
A grey structure house is a house built up to its structural shell: foundation, RCC frame, brick walls, roof slabs, stairs and the concealed pipes and conduits, but without plaster finish, flooring, paint, doors, windows or fixtures. In Lahore in 2026-27 it typically costs about PKR 2,800 to 3,500 per square foot of covered area and makes up roughly 35 to 45 percent of a complete house budget. This guide explains what is and is not included, the construction stages in order, current cost by plot size, and how to check quality before the house is finished.
What Does Grey Structure Mean?
“Grey structure” (also written gray structure) is the term used in Pakistan for the unfinished skeleton of a building. The name comes from the grey colour of exposed cement, concrete and blockwork before any plaster, paint or tiles are applied. In Urdu it is commonly called dhancha or grey structure ka kaam.
When a contractor quotes “grey structure”, the price normally covers labour and materials for everything that holds the house up and keeps services hidden inside walls and slabs. Finishing is quoted separately, which is why many families in Lahore award grey structure and finishing as two contracts, or choose a single turnkey contract that covers both.
What Is Included in Grey Structure (and What Is Not)
| Usually included in grey structure | Usually part of finishing |
|---|---|
| Excavation, soil compaction and anti-termite treatment | Floor tiles, marble or wooden flooring |
| Foundations (strip, raft or isolated footings) and plinth beams | Interior and exterior paint, texture and polish |
| Damp-proof course (DPC) | Doors, windows, glass and hardware |
| RCC columns, beams, slabs, lintels and staircase | Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and woodwork |
| Brick or block masonry for all walls, parapets and boundary wall | Bathroom fittings, sanitary ware and geysers |
| Concealed electrical conduits and back boxes | Wiring pulled through conduits, switches, lights and DB fittings |
| Concealed water supply and drainage pipes, septic tank, manholes | False ceilings, cornices and lighting design |
| Roof insulation and waterproofing layer (in most contracts) | Elevation cladding, stone and front facade features |
| Internal and external plaster (in most Lahore contracts) | Railings, grills, main gate and landscaping |
Contracts in Lahore differ on three items: plaster, roof waterproofing and boundary wall. Always confirm these in writing, because they can change a grey structure quote by 8 to 15 percent.
Grey Structure Construction Stages, Step by Step
For a typical double-storey house on a 5 marla to 1 kanal plot, grey structure takes about 5 to 8 months once drawings are approved. The stages run in this order:
Soil test and layout
A soil investigation sets the bearing capacity, and the approved plan is marked on site with setbacks checked against society by-laws.
Excavation and foundation
Trenches are dug, compacted and treated against termites; footings and plinth beams are cast to the structural drawings.
DPC and plinth
A damp-proof course stops ground moisture rising into walls. Plinth level is raised above the road crown as by-laws require.
Columns and ground floor walls
RCC columns are cast, then brick masonry rises between them with lintels over doors and windows.
Ground floor roof slab
Shuttering, steel fixing and conduit laying are inspected before the slab is poured and cured.
First floor and stairs
The same cycle repeats for the upper floor, staircase and mumty (stair tower).
Top roof and parapet
The top slab, parapet walls and water tank base are built, followed by roof insulation and waterproofing.
Plumbing, drainage and plaster
Concealed pipes, septic tank and manholes are completed, then walls and ceilings are plastered.
Grey Structure Cost in Lahore (2026-27)
Grey structure is priced per square foot of covered area, not per marla, because a single-storey and a double-storey house on the same plot have very different built-up areas. The ranges below are ACCO’s indicative planning estimates for October 2026, for a standard double-storey house with Grade 60 steel and engineered RCC frame.
| Plot size | Typical covered area (double storey, varies by society and basement) | Grey structure estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Marla | 2,400 – 2,800 sq ft | PKR 67 – 98 lakh |
| 10 Marla | 3,500 – 4,200 sq ft | PKR 98 – 147 lakh |
| 1 Kanal (no basement) | 4,500 – 5,500 sq ft | PKR 126 – 193 lakh |
Estimates only, based on PKR 2,800 to 3,500 per sq ft (October 2026). Actual cost depends on soil, basement, slab spans, steel and cement prices on the purchase date, and site access. For comparison, Zameen’s construction calculator showed about PKR 2,874 per sq ft for a 10 marla grey structure in Lahore in mid-October 2026, as reported by Which.pk. ACCO gives a fixed, item-wise quotation after reviewing your drawings. See the full house construction cost guide for Lahore for finishing and turnkey rates.
Where the grey structure money goes
Steel and cement
The largest single share. Prices move with the market, so lock quantities against the structural drawings, not a per-marla rule of thumb.
Bricks, sand and crush
Brick quality (first-class awwal bricks) and clean Ravi or Chenab sand directly affect wall strength and plaster cracking.
Labour and supervision
Masons, steel fixers, shuttering and curing. Labour-only quotes in Lahore commonly fall around PKR 450 to 850 per sq ft depending on scope.
Grey Structure Only vs Full Turnkey Construction
| Factor | Grey structure contract | Turnkey contract |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Shell, services rough-in, usually plaster | Design, approvals, grey structure, finishing and handover |
| Your involvement | You buy finishes and manage finishing trades | One team manages everything |
| Budget control | Lower upfront; finishing cost stays open | Total cost agreed against a specification |
| Best for | Owners on site who want to choose every finish themselves | Overseas Pakistanis and busy professionals |
How to Check Grey Structure Quality Before Finishing
Defects in the shell are cheap to fix before plaster and tiles hide them, and very expensive afterwards. Before you release the final grey structure payment, check:
- Concrete strength records: cube test results for each slab and column pour.
- Steel: Grade 60 deformed bars from a known mill, with bar sizes and spacing matching the structural drawings.
- Levels and plumb: walls vertical, slabs level, no visible sag between beams.
- Cracks: hairline shrinkage cracks are common; diagonal cracks at window corners or in beams need an engineer’s review.
- Curing: slabs and columns kept wet for at least 7 to 10 days after casting.
- Services: conduits and pipes pressure-tested and photographed before walls are closed.
- Roof: slope towards drains and a water-ponding test before finishes go on.
Approvals Before You Start
In DHA Lahore, LDA-controlled areas and Bahria Town, construction may only start after the building plan is approved. In DHA, demarcation is issued after plan approval, construction must begin within one month of demarcation and finish within two years, according to the DHA building control procedure summarised by Zameen. Setbacks, coverage and height follow the society’s current by-laws; DHA Lahore’s regulations were revised in April 2026. Our DHA construction process guide walks through each approval.
Grey Structure Construction by ACCO
Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO) has designed and built in Lahore since 1998. Our grey structure construction service is built to engineered structural drawings with cube-tested concrete and Grade 60 steel, with weekly photo and video progress reports for owners who are not on site. Architectural drawings are free when ACCO is awarded the construction. If you want finishing as well, see our house construction services in Lahore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of grey structure in construction?
Grey structure is the structural shell of a building: foundation, RCC frame, walls, slabs, stairs and concealed pipes and conduits, completed before finishing work such as flooring, paint, doors, windows and fixtures.
What is the grey structure rate per square foot in Lahore in 2026?
ACCO’s indicative 2026-27 estimate is PKR 2,800 to 3,500 per square foot of covered area for a standard double-storey house. The exact rate depends on design, soil, basement, and steel and cement prices at the time of purchase.
Is plaster included in grey structure?
In most Lahore contracts internal and external plaster is included in grey structure, but some contractors exclude it. Confirm plaster, roof waterproofing and boundary wall in the written scope before signing.
How long does grey structure take for a 10 marla house?
A double-storey 10 marla house typically takes about 5 to 7 months for grey structure after plan approval, depending on weather, basement work and how quickly payments and materials are released.
What percentage of total house cost is grey structure?
Grey structure is usually about 35 to 45 percent of a standard turnkey house budget in Lahore. The share falls for luxury homes because finishing, woodwork and fittings cost much more.
Should I hire a grey structure contractor or a turnkey builder?
Choose grey structure only if you can be on site and want to buy every finish yourself. Choose turnkey if you want one accountable team, a fixed specification and less of your own time, which is why most overseas Pakistanis choose turnkey.
Related articles
Contact ACCO
- +92 322 8000190
- info@acco.com.pk
- Office 2, 3rd Floor, Bigcity Plaza, Gulberg-III, Lahore
Planning a Project with ACCO?
Architecture, engineering and construction from one Lahore team since 1998. Design drawings are free when ACCO is awarded the construction.
Discuss Your ProjectWhatsApp +92 322 8000190
