Lanter (Roof Slab) Cost in Pakistan (2026): Per Sq Ft Calculator

Rates last updated: 15 October 2026Page updated: 15 October 2026By Ali Ahmad

Quick answer: the materials for a 5 inch RCC lanter (roof slab) in 1:2:4 cost about PKR 408 per sq ft at 2026 rates. A 1,000 sq ft lanter needs about 73 bags of cement and 850 kg of steel. Labour and shuttering are extra; ask your contractor for their per sq ft rate and add it in the calculator.

Lanter material for common house sizes

5 inch slab, 1:2:4 mix, 0.85 kg steel per sq ft, calculator default rates (15 October 2026). Labour and shuttering are not included.

How this lanter estimate is worked out

• Concrete: slab area × thickness gives the wet volume; × 1.54 gives the dry volume of cement, sand and crush.
• Mix 1:2:4: one part cement, two parts sand, four parts crush. One 50 kg bag is 1.25 cft of cement.
• Steel: 3-sutar (3/8 inch) bars at 6 inch spacing both ways is about 0.68 kg per sq ft; with laps, bends and extra top bars at the supports we use 0.85 kg per sq ft. Your structural drawing may say more for long spans.
• Rates: cement PKR 1,500 per bag and steel PKR 275 per kg (2026 planning rates). Steel is about 57% and cement about 27% of the material cost, so those two rates matter most.

Things that change your lanter cost

• Span and thickness: rooms wider than about 14 ft usually need a 6 inch slab or beams.
• Beams: drop beams add concrete and steel that this per sq ft figure does not include.
• Ready-mix or site mix: ready-mix concrete costs more per cft but saves labour and gives a more even slab.
• Curing: keep the slab wet for at least 7 to 10 days; poor curing causes cracks and leaks later.

For a detailed roof slab estimate with beams, different thicknesses and mixes, use our sister site SlabCostCalculator.com. For the whole house, see the grey structure calculator, the double storey house cost and today’s saria rate.