Household Chores That You Only Need To Do Once A Year | Graana.com Blog

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Some chores on your “To-Do-List” are certainly not on your “Want-To-Do” list. Although slacking off does feel relaxing, you always end up feeling guilty for not doing them. However, some chores don’t need to be done repetitively.

Likewise, you also might have some to-do chores that don’t need to be done every week or month. Some tasks need to be done once a year. What a relief, right? This saves time to do other things and gives you time to relax and pay attention to other vital things in your daily routine. So, here are some chores that you only need to do once throughout the year.

Let’s have a look at eight household chores you need to do once a year:

Mattress

The quality of mattresses has improved over time yet still need a little care and attention. It is advisable to clean your mattresses once a year thoroughly. Repositioning the mattress now and then is also important.

Using a mattress cover religiously, mattresses gather specks of dust and mites and body soil over time. Remove the cover from the mattress and wash it in hot water. To clean the mattress, try to vacuum the mattress top and both sides. Look for any stains or spots on the mattress and treat them with a mild dish detergent or a solution. Try to use a soft brush and work from the outside of the stain towards the center to avoid spreading. Rinsing the area with a wet cloth and allow it to dry completely. Here is a hack for speed drying your mattress using a hairdryer set on low and trying to avoid excessive heat. Try to use anti-bacterial detergents while cleaning your mattresses to avoid germs and bugs. This is important to prevent germs or any sort of bugs.

Flipping you mattresses over or rotating them, so it wears evenly is also a helpful hack.

Carpet and Upholstered Furniture

As summertime winds up and everyone moves indoors, it is the perfect timing to get your carpets and rugs deeply cleaned to remove pollen, dirt, and pet dander.

You can do this chore by renting a cleaning machine and proper washing solutions from a home center or call a professional. If you decide to clean the carpet yourself, opt for a day when there is less foot traffic. Also, make sure you work on the stains before you start cleaning. To get started, remove the furniture of the carpet or place squared-shaped plastics under the legs to avoid staining.

Test the cleaning solutions for upholstery in a hidden spot to ensure that the chemicals don’t discolour the fabric. Try to be extra careful not to oversaturate upholstery with the cleaning solutions since oversaturating the fabric may damage the quality of the material.

Revive your sofas and chairs with scrubbing every year. You can find spray bottles and cleaners with a brush attachment; that helps you to lift the dirt gently from the upholstery. Always test your cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous spot to see if any discolouration occurs. If the colour and the fabric stays put after drying out, you’ll know it’s safe to use, and it will work fine on the rest of the fabric.

When doing this chore, remember to pay a bit extra attention to the places where hands and headrest- those areas need some extra elbow grease.

Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture such as patio furniture should be cleaned once a year to remove and clean the stains with time. The best time to clean outdoor furniture is in early spring, when you place your furniture out of your storage.

Plastic, wood, and/or rattan frames can be cleaned by adding two teaspoons of dish detergent and two cups of hot water. Using a soft-bristled brush on stubborn stains helps to remove them quite faster. When washing or cleaning your fabric cushions for stain removal, make sure that it’s washer safe before you wash them. Finish it off with a quick spray from the hose. Place the furniture in the sun for fast drying. Remove stains and vacuum fabric cushions. Also, try not to ignore your patio umbrella because, over the year, there is a lot of dust and staining that sets onto the umbrella.

Your outdoor furniture can be squeaky clean once per year if you clean them every year at the right time. If you let the stains and dirt sit on your outdoor furniture, it will get stubborn with time and won’t come off, thus making your job more challenging.

Deep Clean the Oven

If your oven is used frequently, you might have to clean it more than once a year. However, if you only bake occasionally, cleaning your oven once a year would be fine. Run the self-cleaning cycle if your oven has one making it easy for you. But, if your oven doesn’t have that feature, you can put on a pair of rubber gloves and an oven cleaner to make it spotless.

Wash Walls and Touch Up Paint

Renew the color of your walls without having to get into that painting the mess of the wall. Giving your walls a once-a-year cleaning will help the paint last longer and just makes the house look cleaner. Start with a vacuum cleaner brush attachment and scrub the walls while paying attention to the baseboards and mouldings. Then, use a cloth and a gentle cleaning spray to remove all the dirt and smudges. If you see any chips or scratches c, cover them up using leftover paint from your last remodel.

Dust Light Fixtures

Polish your fixtures to allow more light to brighten your home. Wipe down bulbs and shades with a microfiber cloth and a gentle cleaning spray. If it is difficult to reach the lights with a ladder, you might want to try the hose attachment of your vacuum or an extendable dusting brush.

Deep Clean Your Dryer

Cleaning your dryer every time you do a round of clothes is not sufficient for your washer-dryer to last long. Clean the drum on the inside while wiping the outside. Pull the lint trap out and wash it gently. When you’re done, remove the vent tubing and give it a thorough cleaning. Pull out any chunks of lint inside the vent. Once cleaned, attach it back to the dryer, and you are done. Make sure it’s also cleaned of any debris and trim any landscaping causing any encroaching. Inspect everything thoroughly before placing everything back in its place.

Get Behind the Appliances

Moving the stove, the fridge, and laundry machines is a daunting task. But annual cleaning does make one’s life since you must do it once every year. To perform a thorough cleaning, you must vacuum the fridge coils, clean the dryer vents, and wipe the rear surfaces with a dampened dust cloth. Also, give a floor a good sweep. It is highly important to be careful not to disconnect any gas or water lines while removing appliances.

 



Under construction power projects in Pakistan | Graana.com Blog

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Pakistan is a developing country that is improving and growing by leaps and bounds. To meet the growing utility needs of the population and irrigation, there are several under-construction power projects in Pakistan that are in place. 

These projects will not only increase the power capacity of the country but also provide the population with water resources for irrigation and drinking purposes. Luckily, Pakistan is blessed with various dams and currently, the government is taking many initiatives to increase the capacity of power.

Today, we bring you a concise yet informative blog discussing the under-construction power projects in Pakistan. To know more about the projects, keep on reading.

The first power project on our list is the Dasu Hydropower project. It is located near Dasu town, near Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. The Project includes a 4,320MW hydropower plant on the Indus River. The Project is located around 74km downstream of the famous Diamer Basha Dam, 240km upstream of the Tarbela Dam, and 345km from Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is responsible for the Project, and it is developed in two stages. 

The Project is a part of the Vision 2025 Program planned by WAPDA in 2001 and the Power Policy 2013 of the Government of Pakistan (GOP). The Project will include 12 hydropower units with a capacity of 360MW each. Out of these 12 units, the first six will be installed in the first phase, and the other six will be added in the second phase. Phase one will produce an annual output capacity of 12,300GWh. On the other hand, phase two will also have around 21,700GWh.

The construction works of the main dam began in mid-2017, with phase one scheduled to be online by 2023.

The Project’s first phase includes constructing a majestic roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam with ancillary structures and an underground powerhouse, six turbo generators, and a transmission line consisting of 500kV. The remaining turbo units will be completed in the second phase, and a double-circuit 500kV transmission line will also be made.

For this Project, WAPDA is planning to acquire 9,970 acres of land, out of which 2,029 acres are planned for main civil works construction. Another 741 acres was further added to the Project.

The second power project in Pakistan is the Kurram Tangi dam project. It is a dam located near the Kaitu River in North Waziristan, Pakistan. It is around 14 km upstream of Kurram Garhi Headworks and 32 km north of Bannu City in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA).

The dam has a capacity of 83.4 MW of power.

Like the previous power project, this project also consists of two phases. In the first phase, an 18 ft-tall weir on the Kaituna River will be constructed. This phase is expected to complete within three years. It will also allow the irrigation of 16,000 acres of land in the North Waziristan Agency. Also, around 18MW of electricity will be generated from this power project.

The whole project will look after the irrigation of 84,380 acres and have a hydropower generation capacity of 83.4 MW. The power project will also support 278,000 acres of the existing system of Civil and Marwat Canals.

  • Keyal Khwar Hydropower Project:

This power project is located at Keyal Khwar Nallah, a tributary of the Indus River in Lower Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is also situated 310 km from Islamabad on Karakoram Highway. It is around 265 km from the federal capital of Islamabad and 350 km from the provincial capital of Peshawar in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The total electricity generation capacity of the Khan Khwar Project is around 72 megawatts (97,000 hp).

There are two turbine units of 34 MW each and one unit of 4 MW installed at Khan Khwar Hydroelectric Station with an average annual generation capacity of 595 million units (GWh) of cheap electricity. Dongfang Electric Machinery Co. Ltd made these turbines and installed them. This Project is a joint venture with the technical assistance of Chinese corporations (Sinohydro Corporation via a consortium with China Water Resources Beifang Investigation, Design and Research Co. Ltd).

  • Mangla Power Refurbishment:

Mangla power refurbishment program includes the improvement and expansion of Mangla dam, one of the major dams in Pakistan. The dam is located at the River Jhelum, around 120 Km from Islamabad. The primary purpose of the dam was irrigation of nearby areas. Other uses of the dam included Power Generation, Fish Culture, Tourism, and Navigation.

Mangla Power House was completed in four stages. The initial phase comprising four units of 100 MW each was completed in 1967-69. Due to sediment deposition, the capacity of the dam decreased from 5.88 MAF to 4.674 MAF.

To recover the reduction in the capacity, the raising of Mangla Dam was started in 2004, and the Project was completed in 2009. The Dam height has been raised by 30 feet while the maximum conservation level increased from 1202 feet to 1242 feet, corresponding to the additional water storage capacity of 2.88 MAF.

In the Mangla Refurbishment Project JV (MRP JV), a feasibility report was presented, directed towards the up-gradation from 1000 to 1310 MW at 0.8 Power Factor.

Last but not least is the Warsak Dam project. It was a joint venture between Canada and Pakistan. The dam consists of two phases. In the first phase, four generating units of 40 MW capacity each were constructed. The 2nd phase began in 1975, and two more 41.48 MW units were made between 1980-81. The total capacity of the dam was 242.96 MW. 

However, over time, the capacity decreased to 150 MW. There were two reasons behind the reduction: Structural deformation of the powerhouse and Rapid erosion in the hydraulic equipment due to environmental issues.

In the rehabilitation of the dam, some of the tasks conducted by the authorities include:

  • Re-alignment of Power House crane rails.
  • Replacement of cracked or badly worn-out crane wheels.
  • Provision of 2 overhead cranes
  • Repair of roof leaks.
  • Repair of structural roof steel.
  • Repair of Power House concrete floors and walls
  • Mechanical and Electrical Works
  • Refurbishing of the butterfly valves of units
  • Installation of slip joints units 
  • Refurbishing of the damaged mechanical components of all six units.
  • Rectification of defects in the draft tube gates and gantry crane mechanism.
  • The alignment of turbine/generator units is in progress.
  • Replacement of stator windings with the provision of one winding as spare.
  • Replacement of the main circuit breakers of the switchyard was completed.
  • Remedial Measures To Reduce The Amount Of Sediment To Power Tunnels.

Warsak and its rehabilitation are crucial because it plays a significant role in establishing voltage in Peshawar, Kohan, Parachinar, and Bannu. 

So, these are some of the under-construction power projects in Pakistan. All these projects carry equal importance and are needed to irrigate their neighboring sites and for drinking purposes.

We hope you enjoy the blog and learn more about dams in Pakistan. If you have any queries and suggestions, let us know in the comment section below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.



Housing, construction finance increase by Rs111bn in FY21

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KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on Thursday, announced that housing and construction finance in the financial year 2021 increased by 75 per cent or Rs111 billion to Rs259 billion as compared to financial year 2020.

The announcement was made by SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir at a meeting of the National Coordination Committee on Housing, Construction and Development (NCCHCD). Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired the meeting. 

Chairman NAPHDA, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication, federal ministers for finance, information, aviation, and climate change, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting along with CEOs of banks and senior SBP representatives were part of the meeting. 

According to a SBP official, 97 per cent of the target for June 30, 2021 was met which is an unprecedented record in Pakistan’s history. 

Dr Reza Baqir further added that due to a boom in construction market, banks have decided to facilitate the sector by providing financing under the Government Markup Subsidy Scheme, also known as ‘Mera Pakistan, Mera Ghar’ (MPMG) — targeted at the low to middle-income strata of the society.

 

For more news, visit Graana.com 



Types of Wood and Their Uses in the Construction Industry | Graana.com Blog

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Wood was the first material ever used in construction and is known to be long-standing. However, wood has hundreds of varieties from which one can choose while constructing a home. Wood was the primary material of the houses built 10,000 years ago.

As a builder, it is crucial to understand the types of woods, their properties, how they can be utilized, etc. Once you have understood the main kinds of woods, learning how they are graded can assist you in choosing the right one for your project.

The components of woof strength such as density, hardness, bending strength, compression, and gravity will help you understand better the properties of wood. Moreover, the chemical properties of wood are complicated. However, human beings have managed to observe and comprehend the unique properties of wood to build an unlimited variety of structures.

This versatile material is used not just to build homes and shelter but for making furniture as well.

One of the significant pros of using wood as a construction material is that it is natural and economically affordable. It provides sound insulation from the cold and is vital concerning its weight. Wood can be fabricated into all sorts of shapes since it works well with machines. Moreover, wood is environmentally a sustainable product because it is biodegradable and renewable. It also contains the lowest carbon footprint as compared to any other building material.

Hardwood:

Hardwoods come from angiosperm trees or plants that produce seeds having a covering. They are fertilized by insects and birds that transfer pollen from other trees. Once fertilized, the trees form fruits, seeds and nuts.

Generally speaking, hardwood trees are deciduous. Meaning they lose their leaves annually. They grow slowly as compared to softwood which makes them denser. In the construction industry, hardwood is used for several projects exposed to the elements that need to last—for instance, decks, flooring, panelling, and high-quality furniture. Hardwood is also used to construct wooden panels, cupboards, door-frames, and window fittings. It is highly durable and reluctant to heat, the pressure making it the perfect product for adapting to changes in weather. In Pakistan, the most commonly used types of hardwood are Deodar, walnut tree wood, and teak.

1. Deodar

For construction purposes, deodar is the most commonly used wood in Pakistan. This wood is derived from the Cedrus deodara tree, native to the northern region of Pakistan. It is durable, strong, and rot-resistant. The grains on the deodar are refined and closely knitted. Due to this, it can withstand high polishing. Many architects prefer deodar for construction purposes.

2. Walnut tree wood

Walnut tree wood is derived from walnut trees. Walnut tree wood grows in the Northern areas such as Swat and Khyber Pakhtunkwa. There are several shades in walnut wood; however, it mostly comes in dark red and pinkish colours. Walnut wood is used to make furniture. But since it has a great rot-resistivity, it makes it a great flooring material as well. Due to modernization in the interior, there has been a trend of walnut wood walls as well.

3. Teak

The most popular type of hardwood is teak wood. It comes in yellow to dark brown shade and is extremely heavy, durable, and weather-resistant. Furthermore, its qualities consist of wrap-resistant and don’t decay. Teakwood shows a straight grain pattern. The natural oils present in teakwood make it termite and pest-resistant. In terms of pricing, teak is much expensive than other forms of wood.

Teakwood is highly durable. It has an aesthetic oriental look that makes it the perfect material for cabinets and furniture. This wood is resistant to moisture which is ideal for incorporating into making window frames. Architects in Lahore mostly prefer teakwood for window frames as it can bear moisture during the monsoon season.

Engineered Wood:

When people talk about woods, solid wood such as hardwood and softwood are often mentioned since they are naturally obtained. Engineered wood is man-made manufactured wood.

Engineered boards are built from waste wood of sawmills. They undergo a chemical or heat process to form wood that meets the requirement sizes that are impossible to find in nature. Moreover, they are made from the same hardwood and softwood, mixed with adhesives and other chemicals.

In other words, they are made from the same hardwood and softwood but mixed with additives like adhesives.

Engineered boards are used in several applications ranging from home construction to commercial buildings and industrial products.

Some features of engineered wood are:

  • Able to meet specific requirements
  • Multiplicity in thickness and length
  • Incorporating engineered wood for tasks like cutting and drilling is easier as compared to hardwood.
  • Low on cost as compared to hardwood and softwood.

Plywood is the most common type of engineered wood used in Pakistan. It is made by laminating veneer sheets and combining them under tremendous pressure and temperature, which makes it economical and withstands uniformed strength. It is a versatile form of wood and thus has several applications, such as designing structural frames and internal panelling.

Softwood:

Softwood is lighter and flexible however is more or less similar in strength. It is obtained from evergreen trees and can be used to construct wooden floors, walls, doors, panels, and furniture. However, softwood may not be an ideal choice for walls and ceilings in urban houses.

The most commonly used softwoods are Pine (chir pine), hemlock, and fir. Softwood is derived from coniferous trees, also known as evergreen trees since the leaves on such trees never fall until new ones grow. Evergreen trees grow faster; thus, they are cost-friendly in contrast with hardwood.

1. Chir pine

Chir pine is derived from Pinus roxburghii, a tree native in the Northern region of Pakistan. It can be used to construct houses in areas where it is native; however, it is not suitable for building homes in big cities. It is mainly used to make furniture or door panels.

2. Fir

Firwood is also termed Douglas Fir. Fir consists of a straight grain pattern and has a reddish-brown colour. It is non-resinous and uniform in texture, making it poor resistant to decay. It can be stained easily. Due to this, it is generally used in raw form or painted surfaces.  In Pakistan, the most commonly used firwood is silver fir and blue fir. It is used in windows, door panels, and furniture.

3. Hemlock

In Pakistan, hemlock is also known as shekran. It is used for installing door panels and planks. It is highly rot-resistant, which makes it an ideal product for using to make wooden floors. Hemlock is lightweight and comprises moderate strength. Found in United States, England, Alaska, Canada, and eastern Asia; it is non-resinous and has a low resistance to decay.

Conclusion

Out of many different materials used for construction, wood stands out as an outstanding, versatile product. It is aesthetically appealing and provides flexible strength, insulation qualities, and ease of fabrication that makes it the number one choice for everyone to use in a variety of construction appliances.

 



How the Construction Sector Can Benefit From Vertical Development of Cities

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Introduction

 

The demand for high-quality housing is constantly rising in urban centres. Providing urban populations with better and more spacious accommodations is crucial for reducing the overcrowding of living spaces. The challenge is to achieve this growth in a fast, sustainable, and environmentally friendly way. Many cities worldwide are now looking towards vertical development to tackle the challenges of urban expansion into green lands. Vertical development is the construction of high-rises in place of single-unit homes on the same plot of land. Instead of housing a single-family unit, high-rise buildings can accommodate multiple residential units, commercial shops, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and fitness complexes in the same building. The phenomenon can have massive implications for the construction sector as newer technologies, materials, and collaborative mechanisms will be required to shift towards vertical development. Graana.com helps you understand how the construction sector will benefit from the vertical development of cities.

 

Research Questions

What is the potential of the construction sector in Pakistan?

How can vertical development benefit the construction sector?

 

Construction Sector of Pakistan

 

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country globally, with more than 60 million strong labour force and a growing middle class. Out of the total population, 36 percent reside in urban areas, whereas 64 percent live in rural parts. The demand for housing is growing annually by three hundred thousand units with an annual population growth rate of 2.4 percent. The country’s construction sector contributes 2.5 percent towards the annual GDP and employs 7.6 percent of the entire labour force. According to the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), pending construction and housing projects add up to Rs 1.1 trillion in monetary value. The construction sector has recently been declared an industry that will bring tax relief to firms and businesses in the industry through amendments to the tax ordinance. Reforms in the tax processes have provided builders and developers with numerous incentives to boost activity in the sector. These include reducing tax rates, removing previous taxes, and helping the industry in its ease of doing business. The construction sector has also seen a boost in revenues due to the development of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. With the coronavirus taking its toll on the country’s economy, a boost to the construction sector remained an important step in achieving recovery and growth of Pakistan’s economy in FY 2020-21. Not only did the incentives provide an impetus for growth in its allied sectors, but the government also released a special amnesty package for investors, diaspora investment incentives, and Rs 36 billion subsidies under the Naya Pakistan Housing Program (Newsweek, 2020).

Growth in the construction sector can boost Pakistan’s economy and create new job opportunities for the youth. In light of the incumbent government’s desire to see a growth of high-rise buildings in Pakistan, a policy on the construction of high-rise buildings has also been formulated and endorsed by the national cabinet. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has promulgated various laws to promote high-rise buildings in the provincial capital. The approval process for constructing high-rise buildings has been simplified along with the removal of unnecessary restrictions such as obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from different government agencies. Not only will this reduce compliance and construction costs, but it will also ensure the timely completion of construction projects (Adnan, LDA enacts new laws to promote high-rises, 2019). The authority has also relaxed by-laws for construction to boost the vertical development of cities. New buildings and zoning regulations have also been moulded to encourage the vertical development of cities. The plot size requirement for construction of high rises has also been reduced from 4 kanals to 10 marlas. There is also no height limit for commercial buildings having an area of 12 kanals and above. These buildings will also have a mandatory requirement to set up rooftop gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, parking, and firefighting systems (Adnan, 2020). Besides Lahore, the cabinet has also allowed high-rise buildings in four major cities, namely, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Multan (HP, 2019). Therefore, the construction sector proved to be Pakistan’s lifeline in times of pandemic induced lockdowns and a dip in the country’s economy.

 

How Vertical Development of Urban Centres will Boost the Construction Sector

 

The construction of high-rise buildings can provide a massive boost to the construction sector in the form of increased foreign and local investments, increased demand for labour and employment, increased use of raw materials leading to a growth in construction allied sectors, and increased utilisation of high-end technologies that provide greater efficiency and innovation. High-rise buildings are considered an indicator for the development of a country’s real estate sector. The first benefit of increasing vertical development will be realised in the form of increased foreign investments in Pakistan that will boost the setting up of new projects and provide resources for completing ongoing projects. Also, with the construction sector being recognised as an industry and the government providing incentives for the growth of high-rise buildings, the market rates for raw materials will stabilise. This will help set accurate forecasting models for projects that often face financial problems due to market volatilities.

Pakistan has a strong labour force of young individuals who lack job opportunities due to their unskilled nature. As construction of homes and low-rise buildings does not require as much manpower as high-rise building construction, much of this labour force is forced to shift towards other countries that can provide training and employment. Boosting the vertical development of cities will create a demand for this labour in Pakistan and allow the construction sector to absorb a massive level of skilled and unskilled labour locally. The construction of high-rise buildings will also give a boost to the allied sectors of the industry. A high-rise requires greater amounts of raw material, efficient logistics, and advanced supply-chain management. Therefore, the impact of vertical development will be seen in increased consumption of raw material, installation and upgradation of infrastructure for better logistics, growth of the local market, and ultimately, increase in exports of construction-related equipment. Lastly, vertical development requires complex technologies to be implemented during the construction phase. Pakistan’s construction sector lags in the adoption of innovative practices and requires an impetus for the introduction of newer technologies in the sector to make construction more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

 

Conclusion

 

The demand for high-quality affordable housing is rising due to rapid urbanisation. Accommodating this demand is not possible without the vertical development of cities. With the pandemic taking its toll on the country’s economy in the earlier stages of FY 2020-21, incentives given to the construction sector provided a strong growth to Pakistan’s economy. Continuing on the same line of argument, the government of Pakistan is now incentivising the vertical development of cities. The construction sector stands to gain from this vertical development in the form of increased foreign and local investments, increased demand for labour and employment, increased use of raw materials leading to a growth in construction allied sectors, and increased utilisation of high-end technologies that provide greater efficiency and innovation.

 

Key Takeaways

  • The demand for high-quality housing is constantly rising in urban centres. Providing urban populations with better and more spacious accommodations is crucial for reducing the overcrowding of living spaces.
  • Many cities around the world are now looking towards vertical development to tackle the challenges of urban expansion into green lands.
  • Vertical development can have massive implications for the construction sector as newer technologies, materials, and collaborative mechanisms will be required to make the shift towards vertical development.
  • Pakistan’s construction sector contributes 2.5 percent towards the annual GDP and employs 7.6 percent of the entire labour force.
  • According to the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), pending projects of construction and housing add up to Rs 1.1 trillion in monetary value.
  • Recently, the construction sector has also been declared an industry which will bring tax relief to firms and businesses in the industry through amendments to the tax ordinance.
  • The construction sector has also seen a boost in revenues due to the development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
  • With the coronavirus taking its toll on the country’s economy, a boost to the construction sector remained an important step in achieving recovery and growth of Pakistan’s economy in FY 2020-21.
  • In light of the incumbent government’s desire to see growth of high-rise buildings in Pakistan, a policy on the construction of high-rise buildings has also been formulated and endorsed by the national cabinet.
  • The construction of high-rise buildings can provide a massive boost to the construction sector in the form of increased foreign and local investments, increased demand for labour and employment, increased use of raw materials leading to a growth in construction allied sectors, and increased utilisation of high-end technologies that provide greater efficiency and innovation.

 

Bibliography

Adnan, I. (2019). LDA enacts new laws to promote high-rises. Retrieved from The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2042270/1-lda-enacts-new-laws-promote-high-rises

Adnan, I. (2020). Building by-laws raise height limit. Retrieved from The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2256368/building-by-laws-raise-height-limit

Adnan, I. (2019). GOVERNMENT ALLOWS CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN PAKISTAN. Retrieved from Homes Pakistan: https://www.homespakistan.com/blog/Government-Allows-Construction-of-High-rise-Buildings-in-Pakistan/12049

Newsweek. (2020). Promoting Construction Sector Will Boost Pakistan’s Economy: P.M. Khan. Retrieved from https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/promoting-construction-sector-will-boost-pakistans-economy-p-m-khan/

 



Using Smart Construction Technologies in Real Estate

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Introduction

As the world experiences a surge in energy demand and resource extraction from the earth, calls for making the real estate sector more efficient through the use of smart construction technologies are increasing. The use of smart construction technologies can increase productivity, make better use of resources, and improve building and construction efficiency. Demand for high-quality housing is constantly rising in urban centres. Offering urban populations better and more spacious accommodation is crucial for reducing the overcrowding of living spaces. The challenge is to achieve this in a fast, sustainable, and environmentally sound way. Processes charged by digital technologies are making a big impact in the construction sector by the introduction of prefabricated houses, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Smart construction is building design, construction, and operation that makes full use of digital technologies and industrialised manufacturing techniques to improve productivity, minimise cost, improve sustainability, and maximise user benefits (CLC, 2018). The methodology has resulted in reduced energy consumption, improved building efficiency, predictive maintenance, better use of resources, and increased productivity. Pakistan faces a serious challenge with regards to its urban housing shortfall and continuous growth and expansion of cities towards agricultural lands. Therefore, Graana.com brings you ways which Pakistan can adopt to move towards smart construction practices to transform its real estate sector towards achieving a more sustainable future growth model for urban centres.

Research Questions

What is smart construction, and why is there a need for it?

How is smart construction impacting the real estate sector?

What are the policy options for Pakistan’s real estate sector?

Smart Construction: A Model for Real Estate Transformation

Smart construction can not only transform the real estate sector, but it can also help improve the quality of life and standard of living for individuals. Pakistan needs to build homes urgently. There is a current housing shortfall of nine million units, with existing homes and buildings being characterised by overcrowding, pollution, poor building construction, inadequate sewerage, and little to no protection from weather extremities (Azra Jabeena, 2019). To meet this incredible demand, the housing and construction sector will have to make more efficient use of people and resources through the use of smart construction. While productivity in the manufacturing sector has grown over the years, it remained stagnant in the construction sector. The construction industry also has a serious impact on the environment in terms of the resources it uses and the waste that is produced. Besides construction, there is also a pressing need to make the lives of individuals better and raise the living standards for healthy lives and the future wellbeing of people. There are many smart construction solutions that can help companies in the real estate sector perform more efficiently.

Digital solutions in the real estate sector offer flexibility in decision making and planning of future infrastructure. It is very hard to get the design, calculations, techniques, and materials required in a project right the first time. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project throughout its lifecycle. It is now possible to get the design, planning, and execution right by generating predictions that help optimise the build phase and use assets efficiently. Digital information tools can also be used to manage construction sites more efficiently as inventory data and transactions can be kept much more secure. Another technology is the introduction of pre-manufactured components such as roofs and walls. There are now a range of technologies that can deliver up to 70 percent of pre-manufactured value (DBW, 2020). This improves the speed of delivery and allows for the implementation of greater projects in the same amount of time. Lastly, advances in materials and building physics allow engineers to design high-performing homes that are comfortable to live in and are energy efficient. By improving the durability of a home, the ­­­­long-term maintenance costs are also reduced.

How Smart Construction Will Impact the Real Estate Sector?

Smart construction revolves around the concept of building under controlled conditions, which increases the precision and quality of processes. A big problem that remains in the traditional construction model is the quality of the final building. Smart construction allows for pre-delivery inspections, factory-controlled installation conditions, traceability of components for maintenance and later modification, and properly planned interfaces that reduce defects in the construction. This, in turn, leads to a second benefit, which is the overall reduction in the lifetime cost of a building. Improved processes and efficiency in the procurement phases leads to low waste production. As a greater emphasis is laid on work carried outside of the construction site, this allows stakeholders and partners across the design, manufacturing, and construction stages to collaborate, plan, and organise better to improve efficiency.

Using design technologies that are powered by Artificial Intelligence and local land demographic data, better homes can be built with high standards of indoor air quality, visual comfort, and low energy dependence on non-renewable sources. Previously, the efficacy of designs could not be explored as a physical construction site cannot be remodeled easily. With the help of smart construction, ideas can be fully explored using digital simulation technologies, which help in deciding concepts, processes, materials, and degree of flexibility in a project. Lastly, smart construction integrates the design and fabrication process more than the traditional methods of construction, which means minimum recycling and elimination of waste. In addition to this, modular construction allows for the disassembly of buildings and reconfiguration with a minimum number of resources. The real estate industry can realise its true potential by using smart construction technologies, and countries like Pakistan should focus on implementing policies that favour the development of smart construction.

Policy Options to Introduce Smart Construction in Pakistan

The construction sector of Pakistan has recently been updated to the industry level, opening many opportunities for different stakeholders involved. The construction sector in Pakistan needs to use Building Information Modelling (BIM), especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It enables projects to continue in a digital and virtual environment, even when participants are not able to meet in person. This allows data to be shared across professional disciplines and facilitates smarter construction. The data can also be fed into the manufacturing process to produce modules that come together to form a building. Standardised components developed this way can be produced in factories with the advantages of mass manufacturing to reduce costs and to improve productivity. Pakistan should also mobilise its youth talent in the technology sector to introduce artificial intelligence and big data analytics to create standardised designs which conform to the demographic realities of an area. This includes keeping in mind the housing need, the environment, and the available pool of resources to make designs that are energy efficient and rely mostly on renewable energy.

Homes that are prefabricated or made in factories require less labour, have fixed costs, are built in shorter time periods, and have faster delivery times. With the right mix of public-private partnership and technology, prefab construction provides a safer, faster, and more reliable form of construction. India has used this model to provide affordable housing to many of its citizens living in rural as well as urban areas. The construction industry is estimated to be responsible for 35 to 40 percent of CO2 emissions globally, which makes it a major contributor to global warming. Manufacturing of components in a factory has shown to reduce emissions by 60 percent in the construction sector and a sharp reduction of 40 percent in regular traffic (World Economic Forum, 2020). Using big data and logistical tools, the delivery of products can be planned for the least amount of disruption in local traffic. Prefab construction has also been shown to reduce waste by 90 percent (MDI, 2020). Prefab elements should also be designed to keep sustainability in mind, including using data analytics to design homes with optimal energy, use, and storage.

Conclusion

As Pakistan continues to face a rising demand for housing, it is crucial that overcrowding of living spaces is reduced. The construction sector is fast changing with the introduction of digital technologies that are making the real estate sector more sustainable in an environmentally sound way. Smart construction can greatly reduce energy consumption, improve building efficiency, and make better use of resources for increased productivity. Therefore, Pakistan should incorporate Building Information Modelling systems coupled with the introduction of data-driven manufacturing to introduce smart construction mechanisms for greater sustainability and making the lives of individuals better.

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Key Takeaways

  • Processes charged by digital technologies are making a big impact in the construction sector by the introduction of prefabricated houses, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
  • Smart construction is building design, construction, and operation that makes full use of digital technologies and industrialised manufacturing techniques to improve productivity, minimise cost, improve sustainability, and maximise user benefits.
  • The methodology has resulted in reduced energy consumption, improved building efficiency, predictive maintenance, better use of resources, and increased productivity.
  • Pakistan faces a serious challenge with regard to its urban housing shortfall and continuous growth and expansion of cities towards agricultural lands.
  • Pakistan can adopt smart construction practices to transform its real estate sector towards achieving a more sustainable future growth model for urban centres.

Bibliography

Azra Jabeena, H. X. (2019). Housing Crises in Pakistan: Review of Population Growth and Deficiencies in Housing Laws and Policies. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research. Retrieved from: https://nphp.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ACASH%20Research/Pakistan-%20Housing%20Crises%20in%20Pakistan,%20Review%20of%20Population%20Growth.pdf

CLC. (2018). Smart Construction: A guide for housing clients. Construction Leadership Council. Retrieved from: https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/181010-CLC-Smart-Construction-Guide.pdf

DBW. (2020). Modern methods of construction. Retrieved from Designing Building Wikis: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Modern_methods_of_construction

MDI. (2020). Eliminate Waste in Design Phase. Retrieved from Modular Design Institute: http://www.modular.org/htmlPage.aspx?name=Eliminate_Waste

World Economic Forum. (2020). Here’s how smart construction could transform home-building after COVID-19. Retrieved from World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/here-s-how-smart-construction-could-transform-home-building-after-covid-19/



Construction boom: Cement sales soar by 20pc

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KARACHI: Mushrooming of construction activities under Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme have resulted in the increase of cement sales by 20.40 per cent from 39.965m tonnes in FY20 to 48.119 million tonnes in FY21. 

According to reports, cement exports also plummeted 7.847m tonnes during FY20 to 9.314m tonnes in FY21, signally an increase of 19 per cent. 

As per details, June saw an increase of 13 per cent growth in cement from June 2020 to June 2021. Total cement dispatches were 5.211m tonnes in June 2021 while 4.623m tonnes last year. In addition, local cement soared by 22 per cent from 3.834m tonnes in June 2020 to  4.668m tonnes in June 2021. 

 

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How the Construction Sector Can Benefit From Vertical Development of Cities

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Introduction

The demand for high-quality housing is constantly rising in urban centres. Providing urban populations with better and more spacious accommodations is crucial for reducing the overcrowding of living spaces. The challenge is to achieve this growth in a fast, sustainable, and environmentally friendly way. Many cities worldwide are now looking towards vertical development to tackle the challenges of urban expansion into green lands. Vertical development is the construction of high-rises in place of single-unit homes on the same plot of land. Instead of housing a single-family unit, luxury apartments, high-rise buildings can accommodate multiple residential units, commercial shops, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and fitness complexes in the same building. The phenomenon can have massive implications for the construction sector as newer technologies, materials, and collaborative mechanisms will be required to shift towards vertical development. Continue reading to understand how the construction sector will benefit from the vertical development of cities.

Graana.com through this blog highlight how the construction sector can benefit from the vertical development of cities. 

Construction Sector of Pakistan

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country globally, with more than 60 million strong labour force and a growing middle class. Out of the total population, 36 percent reside in urban areas, whereas 64 percent live in rural parts. The demand for housing is growing annually by three hundred thousand units with an annual population growth rate of 2.4 percent. The country’s construction sector contributes 2.5 percent towards the annual GDP and employs 7.6 percent of the entire labour force. According to the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), pending construction and housing projects add up to Rs 1.1 trillion in monetary value. The construction sector has recently been declared an industry that will bring tax relief to firms and businesses in the industry through amendments to the tax ordinance. Reforms in the tax processes have provided builders and developers with numerous incentives to boost activity in the sector. These include reducing tax rates, removing previous taxes, and helping the industry in its ease of doing business. The construction sector has also seen a boost in revenues due to the development of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. With the coronavirus taking its toll on the country’s economy, a boost to the construction sector remained an important step in achieving recovery and growth of Pakistan’s economy in FY 2020-21. Not only did the incentives provide an impetus for growth in its allied sectors, but the government also released a special amnesty package for investors, diaspora investment incentives, and Rs 36 billion subsidies under the Naya Pakistan Housing Program (Newsweek, 2020).

Growth in the construction sector can boost Pakistan’s economy and create new job opportunities for the youth. In light of the incumbent government’s desire to see a growth of high-rise buildings in Pakistan, a policy on the construction of high-rise buildings has also been formulated and endorsed by the national cabinet. The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has promulgated various laws to promote high-rise buildings in the provincial capital. The approval process for constructing high-rise buildings has been simplified along with the removal of unnecessary restrictions such as obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from different government agencies. Not only will this reduce compliance and construction costs, but it will also ensure the timely completion of construction projects (Adnan, LDA enacts new laws to promote high-rises, 2019). The authority has also relaxed by-laws for construction to boost the vertical development of cities. New buildings and zoning regulations have also been moulded to encourage the vertical development of cities. The plot size requirement for construction of high rises has also been reduced from 4 kanals to 10 marlas. There is also no height limit for commercial buildings having an area of 12 kanals and above. These buildings will also have a mandatory requirement to set up rooftop gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, parking, and firefighting systems (Adnan, 2020). Besides Lahore, the cabinet has also allowed high-rise buildings in four major cities, namely, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Multan (HP, 2019). Therefore, the construction sector proved to be Pakistan’s lifeline in times of pandemic induced lockdowns and a dip in the country’s economy.

How Vertical Development of Urban Centres will Boost the Construction Sector

The construction of high-rise buildings can provide a massive boost to the construction sector in the form of increased foreign and local investments, increased demand for labour and employment, increased use of raw materials leading to a growth in construction allied sectors, and increased utilisation of high-end technologies that provide greater efficiency and innovation. High-rise buildings are considered an indicator for the development of a country’s real estate sector. The first benefit of increasing vertical development will be realised in the form of increased foreign investments in Pakistan that will boost the setting up of new projects and provide resources for completing ongoing projects. Also, with the construction sector being recognised as an industry and the government providing incentives for the growth of high-rise buildings, the market rates for raw materials will stabilise. This will help set accurate forecasting models for projects that often face financial problems due to market volatilities.

Pakistan has a strong labour force of young individuals who lack job opportunities due to their unskilled nature. As construction of homes and low-rise buildings does not require as much manpower as high-rise building construction, many of this labour force is forced to shift towards other countries that can provide training and employment. Boosting the vertical development of cities will create a demand for this labour in Pakistan and allow the construction sector to absorb a massive level of skilled and unskilled labour locally. The construction of high-rise buildings will also give a boost to the allied sectors of the industry. A high-rise requires greater amounts of raw material, efficient logistics, and advanced supply-chain management. Therefore, the impact of vertical development will be seen in increased consumption of raw material, installation and upgradation of infrastructure for better logistics, growth of the local market, and ultimately, increase in exports of construction-related equipment. Lastly, vertical development requires complex technologies to be implemented during the construction phase. Pakistan’s construction sector lags in the adoption of innovative practices and requires an impetus for the introduction of newer technologies in the sector to make construction more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

The demand for high-quality affordable housing is rising due to rapid urbanisation. Accommodating this demand is not possible without the vertical development of cities. With the pandemic taking its toll on the country’s economy in the earlier stages of FY 2020-21, incentives given to the construction sector provided a strong growth to Pakistan’s economy. Continuing on the same line of argument, the government of Pakistan is now incentivising the vertical development of cities. The construction sector stands to gain from this vertical development in the form of increased foreign and local investments, increased demand for labour and employment, increased use of raw materials leading to a growth in construction allied sectors, and increased utilisation of high-end technologies that provide greater efficiency and innovation.



Analysing the pros and cons of renting and buying. Which is better? | Graana.com Blog

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As 2021 unfolds ahead of us, we all wonder whether it is suitable to buy or rent a house. It is natural to feel overwhelmed by the indecision of renting vs buying/owning a house debate. Though both sides have strong points, it entirely depends on ones’ personal choice. Your financial choice may not appeal to someone else. Moreover, buying or renting a house has many other factors that need to be considered, such as personal readiness, housing preferences and needs, financial willingness, the real estate market, etc.

Many people believe that it is clever to buy a house rather than renting one. However, it is the opposite that benefits individuals. Both; renting and buying have their pros and cons. Thus it is important to make your decision wisely after keeping in mind considerable factors important to you.

Renting is mainly taken as a stigma of being “a huge waste of money.” But to tell you, the truth is there are times when renting a house makes financial sense since it comes with low, upfront cost alongside other flexible aspects.

On the contrary, buying a house is an expensive investment that most people think. Hence, it is financially sensible to rent a house if you can’t afford to buy one.

Pros of renting

Renting costs less money. Renting is cheaper than buying a house simply because purchasing a house requires high upfront costs. When renting a house, the total amount (including the security deposit) is much less than the down payment required for buying a house. Typically, a 20% down payment is needed to buy a house. Furthermore, buying a house comes with other expenditures such as property taxes, home inspection, insurance premiums, etc. if your savings are not enough to buy a house, it is better that you opt for renting one.

Renters are advantaged since they do not have to take care of certain things compared to the home buyer, such as repair bills, etc., the landlord is responsible for these tasks. As a renter, you know how much you will be spending at the end of the month, making your budget run smoothly.

  • Limited responsibilities:

When you own a house, you must keep your house in good shape. However, renters don’t need to deal with the maintenance of the house since the property owner deals with it. So, when renting a house, maintenance costs and repairs bills are not your responsibility.

Another advantage is that you are free from paying property taxes which, let’s face it, is a financial burden.

Renting is a cheaper option than buying a home, especially in places where there are high prices. In such areas, it is nearly impossible to buy a house because of the high market price. Hence, renting a house that is not affordable to own a property is a wise move.

Rental prices are less than mortgage payments. If you don’t have enough savings to pay a 20% down payment, then there is no point in buying a house. This is why renting a house seems to be an attractive option instead of buying a house.

Another pro of renting a house is that it becomes easier to pack and move out if there is a better housing option near you. Having a mortgage is makes it very difficult to move since you have to take care of property matters first. On the other hand, a homeowner has to find a buyer first to buy their property.

If you are a renter, you only need to provide the owner with the required amount of notice and prepare to move out. This makes renting a better option for people who don’t plan on staying at one place for the long term.

Cons of renting

  • You are not building equity:

When you rent a house, you are not building your equity. When you move out of your rented house, you only take the things that belong to you. Whereas when buying a house, you as an owner build your equity which is a long-term investment.

Some property owners/ landlords ignore the repairs that are needed. Repairs such as leakage, sewer line problems, AC breakdown, etc., make a challenging environment for living.

Being a tenant, the property owner decides how much you have to pay him rent. Your landlord may increase the rental price by the time your agreement comes up for renewal.

  • Restrictions on renovations:

A drawback of renting a house is that you have to follow specific rules laid out by the property owner in the rental agreement. This limits your freedom to use the property. Thus, you can’t change the property according to your preferences or requirements. For instance, some apartments have a “No Pets” policy.

Pros of buying

Buying a house gives you a sense of financial stability. Having your property means that you are not accountable to meet the deadlines of paying rent, you don’t have to move out of your owned property, and you don’t have to worry about the increment of monthly rent. Even buying a house instalment is a suitable option because the monthly or quarterly instalment remains the same.

If you want to start a family, buying a house is a wise idea. You can always start from a smaller place and make your way towards a bigger house once you have saved enough.

  • Opportunity to generate income:

Owning a house is a great way to make income by putting it for rent. If you have extra space, you should rent it out and earn extra cash while maintaining ownership.

Buying a house is a considerable investment. Despite being a massive financial decision that has its advantages, it also provides a sense of empowerment.

If you own a house, you do not have to deal with third parties or landlords. You are free to make your own decisions about your house. If you wish to move, you can sell the property and buy another one.

Cons of buying

  • Requires substantial savings:

Though it may seem easy to buy a house, it is essential to remember that buying a house requires a hefty amount of money. Whether it is instalments or paying a mortgage, you still need to pay at least 20% of the entire cost as a down payment.

Not just that, there is a lot of paperwork when buying a house as compared to renting one, such as sales deed, change of ownership, property insurance, and many other. Moreover, the owner of the house has to pay property tax.

The value of a house or a building decreases over time for many reasons, such as old construction style, outdated layouts, wear, tear, etc. Thus, to flip the house for profit, you need to invest money and time for upgrading it. Moreover, the location of your property also plays a vital role since the value of the property located in popular areas doesn’t decrease compared to other areas.

  • Cost of maintenance and repairs:

Owning a house isn’t just that; it comes with many responsibilities. Even if you buy a new house or an old one, you are bound to pay maintenance costs whatsoever in the first months of purchasing a house.

From pipe leaks to light fixtures, homeowners have to maintain all these repairs by themselves.

Buying a house has less flexibility in terms of job hunting. If you own a house, you can’t explore new job opportunities in different cities. Renters can quickly move out by giving their landlord a notice whereas, the homeowners have to go through a detailed procedure to put their house up for sale. They also have to be patient for a buyer to visit their property and then negotiate the price before making a final decision. This is a long process that takes a few months.

To conclude, both; renting vs buying a house have their advantages and disadvantages. Keeping in mind your financial situation, you can always make the right choice. However, it is not just about the money. You also need to analyze your personal goals while deciding to buy or rent a house.

 



Things you need to know about 3 Marla house design in Pakistan | Graana.com Blog

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Having a house of your own is one of the biggest blessings of one’s life. After a hectic and tiresome day, a place that you can call a home is indeed bliss. In Pakistan, many people prefer living in 3 marla houses due to various reasons that will be further discussed later on in this piece.

In this blog, we bring you different 3 Marla house design in Pakistan that are perfect for nuclear families.

So, let’s get started.

The basics…what is Marla?

According to Wikipedia, a marla is a traditional unit of area used in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The marla was standardized under British raj to be equal to the square rod, 272.25 square feet, 30.25 square yards, or 25.2929 square metres. As such, it was exactly one 160th of an acre.

Advantages of a three marla house:

A 3 marla house comes with its own set of advantages, making it ideal for Pakistani families. 

Some of the significant pros of living in a 3 marla house include:

Smaller houses come with smaller price tags. If you are tight on the budget but still want to have a place of your own, a 3 marla house is perfect for you and for all the right reasons. 

Bugger houses come with higher price tags, making it difficult for middle-class families to purchase such a property. In such cases, a 3 marla house can act as your saviour.

Graana.com has a massive selection of 3 marla house listings in all the major cities of Pakistan. To learn more about these hot selling listings, visit Graana.com.

It is easier to finance a smaller house. Many banks and other financial institutions in Pakistan provide house financing to people with easy terms and conditions. Funding for bigger houses is relatively difficult to obtain, and the rules, regulations and monthly instalments are more.

If you want to build your own three marla house in Pakistan, that too with the help of external funding, banks are a good option for you because they are convenient and easy to pay off.

Smaller houses are energy efficient. Unlike bigger houses, a three marla house is easy to maintain in terms of energy efficiency. A tiny house is easy to heat during winters and cool during summers. This means that at the end of the month, you will have to pay lesser utility bills.

In short, a small house can help you save money every month, which is very important.

Tiny houses come with little maintenance costs, and even if you incur maintenance costs, it is still way cheaper than the maintenance costs of a big house. For instance, a smaller home will cost you a fraction if you want to paint the house. Similarly, you will have to pay less for fixtures and other house renovations. If you don’t like spending too much on maintenance and renovations, a smaller house might be more suitable for you.

A smaller house is straightforward to manage. You do not have to worry about deep cleaning and organization all the time. It will take less time to clean out the entire house, and you will be left with much spare time to spend on yourself. 

If you are a busy person who does not have time and help to clean out and organize the space,  a three marla house is perfect for you.

It is seen that smaller houses are cosier and more welcoming as compared to bigger places. The proper cooling and heating systems in a small house add more homey feels to the entire space. 

Simple decor, proper lights, and suitable temperature add more beauty and warmth to your 3 marla house. 

When you move into a 3 marla house or construct your very own 3 marla house in Pakistan, you downsize a lot. 3 marla is small, and many things can make it look smaller, stuffed and cluttered. Wise people minimally decorate their 3 marla house and make it look spacious and open. 

Also, when you own a smaller house, you keep things you need the most and get rid of things you do not need. This thing helps you in decluttering and gives you peace of mind.

3 marla house plan:

In this blog, we bring you three house plans which you can use as an inspiration to construct your very own three marla house. These floor plans are also known as ‘3 marla house naqsha’ or ‘naqsha Makan 3 marla’ in the local language.

This is a simple floor plan of a 3 marla house plan in Pakistan. This house consists of a ground floor which has two bedrooms and a shared washroom with shower. The house also has a spacious tv lounge, and a kitchen is attached right next to the TV lounge. The house also has a small space at the backside of the house, which can be used as a laundry space or a space to store spare things of the house. The house also has a small lawn space which can be sued to plant flowers and other house fruits and vegetables.

The house plan also shows stairs leading to the first floor. You can start with a ground floor and add the new floor later on. For instance, Bahria town 3 marla house designs are also quite similar to these floor plans. Undoubtedly, this 3 marlas beautiful house design is very simple and spacious.

 

This is another floor plan made for a three marla house. This plan (3 marla house front design single story) is discussed thoroughly below. 

 This unique design is perfect for couples and nuclear families who cannot afford to build the first floor at the moment but are planning to construct the first floor. 

The house consists of a dining area and a drawing-room. The drawing room can also be used as a spare bedroom. The lobby of the house leads to a store, kitchen and bedroom. The bedroom comes with an attached bathroom and a patio. A patio is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a residence and is typically paved.

The third-floor plan is perfect for plots that are elongated and come in a rectangular shape. This 3 marla house front design starts with a car porch that opens directly into the house. On the left side of the porch, there is a drawing-room. Then, a sitting area in a house can be used as a dining area and place where the family members can sit and spend quality time. The sitting area leads to a spacious bedroom that comes with an attached bath and open space. There is a kitchen space in the house as well. The sitting area leads to the first floor, which can be used as a rooftop.

So, these are some of the house plans perfect for a 3 marla house design in Pakistan. These three marla house plans will give you an idea about the construction process as well. These floor plans are feasible and ideal for small families. Give this blog a read, and let us know of your views about them.

If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment in the comment section below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: 

All the information on this blog post is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Blog Name does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this blog is strictly at your own risk. Graana.com will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our content.

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Under construction vs existing projects: Which one is better? | Graana.com Blog

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Are you someone who is looking for his next real estate investment?

If you want to safeguard your money, try investing in real estate projects because these projects come with multiple advantages. 

For example, you can use real estate projects in many ways. You can rent it out, you can use it to run businesses, you can rent out your property, you can lease out, you can even rent your spare rooms by listing them on sites like Airbnb. In short, real estate properties are a perfect investment opportunity in Pakistan and for all the right reasons.

However, now the main question arises.

Should you invest in an under-construction project or an existing project?

Both of these real estate projects come with their own set of pros and cons. 

In this blog, we take you through the strengths and weaknesses of both projects so that you can make a better and well-informed decision.

To know more about different kinds of projects and how they work, keep on reading.

Under construction projects:

Under construction, real estate projects are gaining popularity by leaps and bounds. These projects are perfect for people who are looking for a long-term investment opportunity in Pakistan.

Pros of under-construction projects:  

Following are some of the most common advantages of investing in an under-construction project:

Under construction projects are less expensive as compared to already established houses. For instance, many new housing societies in Pakistan are under construction. In new housing societies, apart from the house itself, the area where the under-construction projects are located also needs improvements in terms of their facilities and infrastructure. These factors lower the overall price of the project.

Under construction projects are more in demand as compared to already made projects. Old housing societies lose their popularity because they usually consist of old designs and fewer amenities. 

On the other hand, under-construction projects have high demand. Due to their increased demand, the returns are also high. Under construction projects come with a higher window period. There is a long time between buying time and delivery time. If you invest in a house that is closer to its possession period, the chances are that they will give you better returns. 

Under construction projects are usually purchased by people looking for avenues to invest their hard-earned money for the long term. Hence, it is safe to say that under-construction projects are ideal for people who want to invest in long-term investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Cons:

The under-construction projects have many benefits, but they have some disadvantages as well.

The risk ratio in the case of an under-construction process is higher than existing projects. There are many cases in Pakistan where the builders failed to deliver the product they promised their clients. There are many reasons for delayed delivery of projects, including funding crunch, frauds, scams, lack of raw material, labor strikes, legal complications, etc. All these factors delay the process, and in the end, the client has to suffer tremendously.

To keep yourself away from such instances, it is better to invest in properties approved by your area’s development authority. Verified projects will not only safeguard your hard-earned money but also generate good returns. 

One of the major drawbacks of an under-construction project is a discrepancy between the final product and the planned product. Usually, builders in Pakistan do not deliver what they promised their clients. Only a handful of companies ensure timely completion and possession of the product they promised their clients.

Purchasing an under-construction property will attract a tax incidence of five percent of the property’s total cost. In addition, stamp duty and registration charges will have to be paid separately, resulting in heavy expenditure on taxes. Affordable homes priced under Rs 45 lakh attract one percent GST of the total cost of the property. 

These expenses and duties add up and increase the financial burden on a person.

Like under-construction projects, existing projects come with their pros and cons.

 Pros:

Following are some of the most evident advantages of existing real estate projects in Pakistan.

Unlike under-construction projects, existing projects are readily available for moving in. There are no or minimal waiting hours associated with existing projects and the occupants can move in easily. In short, the developed projects have shorter window periods. 

For developed projects in Pakistan, you do not have to wait for months and years. It is all completed for you. Then, you have to pay its price, meet the legal requirements and move in. 

With existing projects, you do not have to be risky. When you invest in such projects, you get what you paid for. You can visualize the final project and make a decision accordingly. 

For example, when you invest in a shop located in an already established mall, you have a choice of visiting the property and examining its layout, features, facilities, and amenities. In these cases, you can make more informed decisions because the product is right in front of your eyes. 

The infrastructure of existing projects is usually well established. For instance, the existing projects are located in well-known housing societies in Pakistan. Therefore, they have good facilities, amenities, and features needed to live a good and peaceful life. These factors also increase the property value. 

Existing projects are usually used by people living for residential properties or places to start their business, such as business centers. Hence, it is safe to say that the intent behind getting an existing house is a personal need or preference.

Cons:

Existing projects also come with some limitations and drawbacks.

Ready-to-sell real estate projects in Pakistan are usually costly as compared to under-construction projects. The sellers typically charge a premium on the ready-made or existing real estate projects because of their demand. So, if you are someone who is on a budget, existing real estate projects might be costly for you.

Existing real estate projects come with moderate to low returns on investment. This is because the well-established houses or commercial buildings get old and depreciate over time. So, people prefer to invest in hot selling projects instead of investing their money into old projects that have matured over time. 

This factor reduces the return on investment, and hence, the investors get a lesser return on investment. 

There are additional costs associated with existing projects. For example, if you invest in an old property, you will have to pay for its renovation costs. Also, when you purchase an existing project, you have to pay for legal services that you will need to transfer the property under your name. All these costs add up and may cause you a financial burden.

So, these are some of the pros and cons associated with under-construction projects and existing projects. We hope this comparative blog will provide you with valuable insights and aid you in making well-informed decisions that will be fruitful for you in the future.

If you have any questions regarding the topic, please feel free to leave a message in the comment section below. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

 



Self-healing concrete all set to transform construction industry | Graana.com Blog

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What is being termed as the latest revelation in science, the self–healing concrete is all set to transform the construction industry.

The self-healing concrete has the property of filling the cracks automatically.

After extensive research, scientists have been successful in creating self-healing concrete.

Carbonic anhydrase an enzyme found in human blood crystalises into Calcium Carbonate when reacts with CO2 in the air.  The Calcium Carbonate seals the crack in concrete thus increasing the life span of a structure from 20 to 80 years.

The self-healing concrete can be sprayed into cracks which can regenerate the concrete in less than 24hrs.

 

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