ACCO – Ahmed Construction Company · Updated 26 October 2026 · Reviewed by ACCO architects and engineers
Lake City Construction Cost Guide – Rates updated October 2026
House and Commercial Construction Cost in Lake City Lahore
What will it cost to build on your Lake City plot? This guide explains how construction is priced, shows ACCO’s indicative October 2026 rates with worked examples, and lists what to check in any quotation. For an exact figure, ask for a project-specific BOQ.
Quick Answer
ACCO’s indicative October 2026 rates for Lahore are about PKR 4,400 per sq ft of covered area for grey structure, PKR 6,500 per sq ft for basement work, about PKR 7,000 per sq ft for a complete building with standard finishing and PKR 9,000–15,000 per sq ft for high-end finishing. As an illustration, a 10 marla house of about 3,400 sq ft would cost roughly PKR 15 million in grey structure and about PKR 23.8 million complete at standard finishing. Your actual cost comes from an itemised BOQ.
Lake City Construction Costs at a Glance
| Grey structure | ≈ PKR 4,400 per sq ft (ACCO, Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Basement work | ≈ PKR 6,500 per sq ft of basement |
| Complete – standard | ≈ PKR 7,000 per sq ft |
| Complete – high-end | PKR 9,000–15,000 per sq ft |
| Basis | Per sq ft of covered area, materials + labour |
| Exact cost | Itemised BOQ per project |
Grey Structure, Finishing and Turnkey Explained
- Grey structure – excavation, foundations, RCC frame, slabs, brick masonry, plaster, and electrical and plumbing rough-ins.
- Finishing – flooring, woodwork, kitchens, bathrooms, paint, ceilings, electrical and sanitary fittings, façade finishes.
- Turnkey – grey structure plus finishing, delivered ready to occupy.
Rates are quoted per square foot of covered area – the total built floor area across all storeys – not per marla of plot. A 10 marla plot is not 10 marla of building: the covered area depends on the design, number of storeys, basement and Lake City’s bylaws.
ACCO Indicative Rates – October 2026
Source: ACCO internal rates for Lahore, October 2026.
| Scope | PKR per sq ft of covered area | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Grey structure | 4,400 | Materials + labour |
| Basement (additional work) | 6,500 | Per sq ft of basement |
| Complete – standard finishing | 7,000 | Grey structure + standard finishing |
| Complete – high-end finishing | 9,000 – 15,000 | Depends on specification |
Excluded unless agreed in writing: plot cost, approval and utility connection fees, furniture, appliances, landscaping, solar systems, HVAC equipment and taxes. Rates move with steel, cement and labour prices.
Worked Examples (Illustrative Only)
| Project | Assumed covered area | Grey structure | Standard complete | High-end complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 marla house | 2,000 sq ft (assumption) | PKR 8.8 million | PKR 14.0 million | PKR 18–30 million |
| 10 marla house | 3,400 sq ft (ACCO typical) | PKR 15.0 million | PKR 23.8 million | PKR 30.6–51 million |
| 1 kanal house | 6,000 sq ft (assumption) | PKR 26.4 million | PKR 42.0 million | PKR 54–90 million |
| Commercial plaza | 6,000 sq ft (assumption) | PKR 26.4 million | PKR 42.0 million | PKR 54–90 million |
Examples exclude basements. A 1,500 sq ft basement would add about PKR 9.75 million at PKR 6,500 per sq ft.
How These Compare with Published Lahore Guides
Published guides show a wide spread. Avenir Developments (September 2026) gives about PKR 3,300 per sq ft for grey structure and PKR 7,500 for a standard complete house outside DHA (source). Daily Capital lists PKR 2,800–3,800 for grey structure and PKR 5,500–9,000 overall (source). Differences usually come from what each rate includes – compare scopes, not headline numbers.
Main Cost Drivers
- Covered area – the biggest factor.
- Design – spans, cantilevers, double heights and façade complexity.
- Soil and foundations – weak soil or high groundwater needs deeper or raft foundations.
- Basement – excavation, shoring and waterproofing.
- Materials – steel and cement grades, brick quality, local or imported fittings.
- Labour – skill level and supervision.
- Specification – standard versus high-end finishes.
- Site logistics – access, storage space and neighbouring construction.
Residential Cost Planning by Plot Size
5 marla
A compact plan keeps cost per sq ft efficient; spend on durable kitchens and bathrooms.
10 marla
Decide early on basement and finishing level – these change the budget most.
1 kanal
Basements, larger spans and premium façades are common; allow for higher MEP and HVAC costs.
See house construction in Lake City and luxury house construction in Lake City.
Commercial Plaza Cost Planning
For plazas, budget by floor use: shops need wide openings and heavier finishes at ground level, offices need efficient cores and tenant metering, and lifts, fire safety and parking add costs that houses do not carry. See commercial plaza construction in Lake City and commercial plaza rates in Lahore.
Design, Engineering and Interior Costs
Architectural, structural and MEP design may be charged separately on design-only contracts. With ACCO, architectural drawings are free when the construction contract is awarded to ACCO. Interior design and loose furniture are usually a separate scope. See commercial plaza design in Lake City.
Foundations and Soil Investigation
A soil investigation report tells the structural engineer the bearing capacity and groundwater level. It costs little compared with the risk of an over- or under-designed foundation, and is strongly recommended for basements and multi-storey buildings.
Finishing Levels Compared
| Element | Standard | High-end |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring | Local porcelain or ceramic tiles | Large-format porcelain, marble or stone |
| Kitchen | Laminate cabinets, granite top | Lacquer or veneer cabinets, quartz top, built-in appliances |
| Bathrooms | Local fittings | Imported wall-hung fittings, concealed cisterns |
| Doors and woodwork | Solid or semi-solid doors | Solid wood, veneered panelling |
| Façade | Paint and limited cladding | Stone, glazing, louvers, feature lighting |
How ACCO Prepares a BOQ
Drawings
Review your drawings or prepare a concept design.
Quantities
Take off quantities for each item of work.
Rates
Apply current material and labour rates.
Specification
List brands and grades for every item.
Inclusions
Separate inclusions, exclusions and provisional sums.
Milestones
Link payments to measurable work.
Contingency and Scope Changes
Keep a contingency of roughly 5–10% for unforeseen work. Any change to scope should be priced and approved in writing before it is carried out.
Construction Quotation Checklist
- Is the rate per sq ft of covered area, and is the covered area stated?
- Are inclusions and exclusions listed?
- Are material brands and grades specified?
- Is a basement priced separately?
- Are design and approval drawings included?
- Is there a payment schedule linked to milestones?
- Is there a written warranty, and for how long?
- How are variations priced and approved?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the grey structure rate in Lake City?
ACCO’s indicative October 2026 rate is about PKR 4,400 per sq ft of covered area.
How much does a 10 marla house cost to build?
With about 3,400 sq ft covered, roughly PKR 15 million for grey structure and about PKR 23.8 million complete at standard finishing (illustrative).
Is plot size the same as covered area?
No. Covered area depends on the design, storeys, basement and bylaws.
Do rates include approval fees?
No, unless agreed in writing.
How do I get an exact cost?
Share your plot size, drawings (if any) and finishing preference; ACCO will prepare an itemised BOQ.
Get a Project-Specific Estimate
Send your plot size, sector, drawings status and preferred finishing level. ACCO will prepare an itemised BOQ for your Lake City project.
Request a QuotationWhatsApp +92 322 8000190
Call 0322-8000190 · info@acco.com.pk · Office 2, 3rd Floor, Bigcity Plaza, Gulberg-III, Lahore
Stock photography used for illustration (Unsplash); images do not depict specific ACCO projects in Lake City.