Construction Cost of a 5 Marla House in Punjab (Gujranwala Example)

In short

Zameen's construction cost calculator, with rates updated on 12 October 2026, estimates a 5 marla double-storey house in Gujranwala at PKR 82.94 lakh. That splits into about PKR 45.92 lakh for grey structure and PKR 37.01 lakh for finishing, or roughly PKR 4,096 per square foot. The same tool puts a 10 marla double-storey house in Gujranwala at PKR 1.33 crore. Foundation and structure is the largest single block, followed by wood, metal and tile work. Treat calculator totals as a starting point. Get itemised quotes from at least two contractors.

The 5 marla construction cost is the first number most families in Punjab want before they start building. This guide uses Gujranwala as a worked example, because a public calculator publishes current figures for the city. It breaks the estimate into grey structure and finishing, shows where the money goes, and lists the decisions that push a budget up or down. The same method works in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot or any other Punjab city once you plug in local rates.

What the 5 marla construction cost covers

A 5 marla plot is the most common starting size for a family home in Punjab. The calculator assumes a double-storey house with 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms and a drawing room. Dividing its total by its per-square-foot rate gives a covered area of roughly 2,025 sq ft across both floors.

Before comparing any quote, confirm the plot size. Wikipedia's entry on the unit notes that most of Pakistan still uses the British-era marla of 30.25 square yards (272.25 sq ft), but societies can use their own definition. Your approved site plan will state the actual area, and that is the number the architect and contractor should work from.

Gujranwala example: grey structure vs finishing

According to Zameen's Gujranwala calculator (rates updated 12 October 2026):

The calculator shows labour as zero in its breakdown, and its page offers "With Material" and "Without Material" construction modes. Ask your contractor directly whether a quote includes labour, because that single line can change the comparison.

Where the money goes

The calculator splits the same 5 marla estimate into five blocks:

• Foundation and structure: PKR 39.55 lakh. Bricks, cement, sand and crush account for PKR 30.79 lakh of this. Excavation and steel reinforcement add PKR 8.16 lakh. Roof insulation, termite treatment and waterproofing add about PKR 59,000.
• Wood, metal and tile works: PKR 24.69 lakh. Tiles are the biggest item here at PKR 10.65 lakh, then paint and ceilings, wardrobes and cabinets, metal work and windows.
• Electrical works: PKR 8.38 lakh. Wires and cables, lights and fans, switches and conduits.
• Plumbing works: PKR 5.56 lakh. Pumps and drains are the largest part, with water supply, gas piping and sewerage lines.
• Fittings and fixtures: PKR 4.76 lakh. Mostly bathroom fittings, plus kitchen, geyser and manholes.

This shows why material prices dominate. Bricks, cement, sand and steel alone make up close to half of the total, so a change in those rates moves the whole budget.

10 marla house construction cost for comparison

For a larger plot, the same calculator estimates a 10 marla double-storey house in Gujranwala (4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms) at PKR 1.33 crore, with PKR 76.3 lakh for grey structure and PKR 56.26 lakh for finishing. That works out to about PKR 3,928 per square foot, slightly lower per square foot than the 5 marla house. Fixed items such as kitchens, stairs and plumbing runs are spread over more covered area.

Using a construction cost calculator well

Online calculators are useful for a first budget, but they rest on assumptions. To get closer to a real number:

1. Fix the covered area first. Single storey or double, basement or not, and how much of the plot is covered all change the total more than any finish choice.
2. Ask for a bill of quantities. A contractor's itemised list of bricks, cement bags, steel tonnage and labour lets you compare quotes line by line.
3. Separate grey structure from finishing. Many families build the grey structure first and finish in stages. Get each priced separately.
4. Check rates in your own city. The calculator publishes city-specific pages. Run the numbers for your city instead of assuming Gujranwala's rates apply everywhere.
5. Add a contingency. Material prices move during a build. Leave a buffer in your budget rather than planning to the last rupee.

House design and 5 marla house map

The house design drives cost as much as the material rate does. A compact layout with stacked bathrooms and kitchens cuts plumbing runs. Fewer cantilevers and simpler elevations reduce steel and shuttering.

Before construction, your 5 marla house map needs approval from the body that controls the area. That is the development authority, the municipal body or, inside a private society or DHA, the society's own building control. Use an architect registered with that body where it requires one, and do not start work before the approval and site plan are issued. Building against an unapproved map can lead to fines, stoppage or trouble at the time of sale.

Practical tips to control the budget

• Buy steel and cement in planned lots when you have the cash, and store them properly.
• Keep finishing choices (tiles, fittings, woodwork) within one tier, because a single premium choice tends to pull the others up.
• Get the electrical and plumbing layout drawn before the slab is poured.
• Pay contractors against completed stages, not upfront for the whole job.
• Keep receipts and a running ledger. It helps if you later sell, rent or seek a home loan against the house.

Prices are indicative as of October 2026.

For local context, read more Gujranwala property guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the construction cost of a 5 marla house in 2026?

Zameen's calculator, updated 12 October 2026, estimates a 5 marla double-storey house in Gujranwala at PKR 82.94 lakh, including about PKR 45.92 lakh of grey structure. Other cities and finish levels will differ.

What is the grey structure cost of a 5 marla house?

For Gujranwala, the same calculator puts grey structure at about PKR 45.92 lakh for a 5 marla double-storey house. Confirm whether your contractor's grey structure quote includes labour.

What is the 10 marla house construction cost?

Zameen's Gujranwala calculator estimates PKR 1.33 crore for a 10 marla double-storey house, with PKR 76.3 lakh for grey structure.

Is a construction cost calculator accurate?

It is a reasonable first estimate. Final cost depends on covered area, design, finish quality and material rates at the time you buy, so get itemised contractor quotes.

Do I need an approved map before building a 5 marla house?

Yes. Get the map approved by the authority or society that controls your plot before any construction starts.

Sources

1. Zameen.com: 5 Marla House Construction Cost in Gujranwala (calculator) zameen.com
2. Zameen.com: 10 Marla House Construction Cost in Gujranwala (calculator) zameen.com
3. Wikipedia: Marla (unit) en.wikipedia.org