ACCO – Ahmed Construction Company · Updated 20 October 2026 · Reviewed by ACCO architects and engineers
Commercial Building Construction in Lahore – ACCO
Commercial Building Construction in Lahore
Commercial plazas, shops and office buildings built from excavation to handover on grey-structure, turnkey or labour-only contracts, priced from an itemised BOQ and supervised by ACCO engineers.
Quick Answer
Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO) constructs commercial plazas and buildings in Lahore on grey-structure, turnkey or labour-only contracts. Work is priced from an itemised BOQ, supervised by ACCO engineers, paid in stages linked to completed work, and handed over with as-built drawings and a written warranty.
What We Build
Commercial plazas
Shops, offices or both, on small and large plots.
Office and mixed-use buildings
Multi-storey buildings with shops below and offices above.
Basement plazas
Basements for parking or retail, with shoring next to neighbours.
Conversions
Old houses or buildings converted to commercial use, where permitted.
For other building types, see our commercial construction services.
Contract Options
| Contract | What ACCO provides | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Grey structure | Excavation, foundations, RCC frame, slabs, masonry, roof, concealed conduits and pipes | Owners who will manage finishing themselves |
| Turnkey | Grey structure plus finishing, MEP installation and façade to an agreed specification | Owners who want one contractor responsible to handover |
| Labour-only | Skilled labour, supervision and engineering checks; owner buys materials | Owners with their own material supply |
Construction Stages
Site setup
Survey, levels, hoarding, temporary services.
Excavation and shoring
Neighbouring buildings protected for basements.
Foundations
To the structural design and soil report.
RCC frame
Columns, beams and slabs floor by floor.
Envelope
Masonry, roof waterproofing and openings.
MEP first fix
Conduits, pipes and drainage before plaster.
Finishing and façade
Plaster, floors, ceilings, cladding and glazing.
Testing and handover
Systems tested, snags closed, documents delivered.
Who Does What
ACCO’s engineers and site teams carry out and supervise the civil and structural work and manage finishing trades. Specialist systems such as lifts, fire detection and suppression, central HVAC and curtain-wall glazing are normally supplied and installed by specialist vendors. Your contract lists who provides each item, so responsibilities are clear before work starts.
Site Supervision and Quality Checks
- Reinforcement checked by the engineer before every concrete pour.
- Concrete cubes taken from structural pours and tested.
- Steel and cement checked against the specified grades on delivery.
- Levels, plumb and dimensions checked at each floor.
- Concealed pipes and wiring tested before they are covered.
Scheduling and Progress Reports
Before work starts, we agree a construction schedule linked to payment stages. You receive regular photo and progress updates, so you can follow the work even if you are not in Lahore. Timelines depend on size, basement depth, approvals and material supply, so we set them per project rather than promising a fixed duration.
BOQ, Scope and Variations
Every project is priced from an itemised Bill of Quantities and a specification sheet. Anything outside the BOQ is a variation, priced and agreed in writing before the work is done. For typical budgets, see the commercial plaza rates per sq ft guide and our BOQ and cost estimation page.
Handover
At handover you receive as-built drawings, test records, a list of installed equipment and ACCO’s written 15-year warranty, with its cover set out in your contract. Need drawings first? Our plaza planning and drawing services cover design, and our design-build service combines both. See ACCO work on our projects page.
Typical Construction Specifications
Every project follows its own structural design and BOQ. The table shows the specification ACCO typically proposes for commercial plazas in Lahore.
| Item | Typical ACCO specification | Checked by |
|---|---|---|
| Reinforcement steel | Grade 60 deformed bars from established mills | Mill certificate and engineer check before pours |
| Structural concrete | Design mix to the strength specified by the structural engineer (commonly 3,000 – 4,000 psi) | Cube tests at 7 and 28 days |
| Cement | Ordinary Portland Cement from recognised brands | Delivery checks and storage control |
| Masonry | First-class burnt clay bricks or concrete blocks | Sample approval and line, level and plumb checks |
| Basement waterproofing | Membrane or crystalline system to drawings | Inspection before backfilling |
| Water supply pipes | PPR pipes and fittings | Pressure test before plaster |
| Drainage | uPVC pipes with inspection chambers | Flow and leakage test |
| Electrical wiring | Copper cables in concealed conduits, sized to load | Continuity and insulation tests |
Typical specification for planning. Final grades, brands and strengths are fixed in your BOQ and structural drawings.
Indicative Construction Durations
Duration depends on size, basement depth, approvals, weather and timely payments. These ranges help with planning; your contract schedule is prepared for your project.
| Plaza type (example) | Grey structure | Turnkey to handover |
|---|---|---|
| 4 marla, Ground + 3 | 5 – 7 months | 10 – 14 months |
| 8 marla, Basement + Ground + 3 | 7 – 10 months | 14 – 18 months |
| 1 kanal, Basement + Ground + 4 | 10 – 14 months | 18 – 24 months |
Indicative only, not a contractual timeline. Basement excavation, approvals and specialist installations are the most common causes of variation.
Example Payment Stages
Payments are linked to completed, inspected work. A typical turnkey schedule looks like this; your contract sets the actual stages.
| Stage | Example share of contract |
|---|---|
| Mobilisation and site setup | 10% |
| Excavation and foundations complete | 15% |
| Frame and slabs (split per floor) | 25% |
| Masonry, roof and MEP first fix | 15% |
| Plaster, flooring and façade | 20% |
| Fixtures, testing and handover | 15% |
Site Safety and Neighbour Protection
Hoarding and access
Site boundary closed, controlled entry and safe material storage.
Excavation safety
Shoring and edge protection planned before digging basements.
Neighbour surveys
Condition photos of adjoining buildings before excavation.
Working at height
Scaffolding, edge protection and supervision on upper floors.
Housekeeping
Daily clean-up and controlled debris removal.
Road and traffic
Material deliveries planned to limit road blockage.
Documents You Receive
| When | Documents |
|---|---|
| Before contract | Itemised BOQ, specification sheet, schedule, payment plan, draft contract |
| During construction | Progress photos, inspection records, cube test results, variation approvals |
| At handover | As-built drawings, test certificates, equipment list and manuals, written warranty |
See ACCO’s structural engineering and MEP and fire-fighting services for the design side.
Commercial Plaza Guides
Related ACCO Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ACCO build from another architect’s drawings?
Yes. We review the drawings and structural design, prepare a BOQ from them and raise any questions before pricing.
Do you build basements next to existing buildings?
Yes, with excavation and shoring planned to protect neighbouring structures. The method depends on soil, depth and site access.
How are changes priced during construction?
Any change outside the BOQ is priced in writing and approved by you before the work is done.
What warranty does ACCO give on commercial buildings?
A written 15-year warranty. Its exact cover is set out in your contract.
How will I know how the work is progressing?
You receive regular photo updates and progress against the agreed schedule and payment stages.
What contract types does ACCO offer for commercial buildings?
Grey structure, turnkey and labour-only contracts. Each is priced from an itemised BOQ and a written scope.
How long does it take to build a commercial plaza in Lahore?
As an indication, an 8 marla basement plus ground plus three plaza takes about 7–10 months for grey structure and 14–18 months turnkey. Your schedule depends on size, basement, approvals and payments.
Which steel and concrete do you use?
Typically Grade 60 deformed steel and concrete mixed to the strength specified by the structural engineer, with cube tests on structural pours.
Can construction start before approval?
No. ACCO starts construction only after the drawings are approved by the relevant authority.
Do you handle utility connections?
We prepare the internal electrical, water and gas provisions and help with connection paperwork. Connection fees are paid by the owner.
Can I visit the site during construction?
Yes. Owners can visit at agreed times with ACCO’s site engineer, and you also receive regular progress photos.
What happens if material prices rise during construction?
Your contract states how price changes are handled. Fixed-price and rate-adjustment options are discussed before signing.
Discuss Your Commercial Construction Project
Share your plot location, drawings if you have them, number of floors and the contract type you prefer. ACCO will propose a BOQ-based scope.
Discuss Your Construction Project WhatsApp +92 322 8000190
Call +92-322-8000190 · Email info@acco.com.pk · Office 2, 3rd Floor, BigCity Plaza, Gulberg-III, Lahore