Methodology: How ConstructionCostPK Calculates Construction Cost
This page documents exactly how the ConstructionCostPK calculator turns your inputs into an estimate, so you can check every assumption. The same formulas run in your browser and on the server (for the tables in our guides), so the numbers always match.
1. Covered area
If you don’t enter covered area, the calculator suggests one from the plot size and number of storeys using typical ground-coverage ratios, multiplied by the number of storeys: 85% for plots up to 1,125 sq ft (5 Marla), 75% from 1,575 to 2,250 sq ft (7 to 10 Marla), 65% at 4,500 sq ft (1 Kanal) and 55% from 9,000 sq ft (2 Kanal). Between those sizes the ratio changes smoothly, so a bigger plot never gets less covered area than a smaller one.
2. Grey structure
Quantity = covered area × quantity per sq ft × quality factor × design factor × storey factor. Materials = quantity × material rate × city material factor. Labour = covered area × structure labour rate × city factor × storey factor × design labour factor. The storey factor adds 3% per extra storey. The city material factor applies only 35% of the city factor, because materials vary less between cities than labour does, and it is applied only to our default rates: a rate you type in yourself is used exactly as entered. A basement costs 45% more per sq ft than the grey structure above it; its area is added to the material quantities, to the finishing area and to the area used for cost per sq ft.
3. Finishing and turnkey
Finishing = covered area (plus any basement) × finishing rate for the chosen quality, split into material (tiles 30%, woodwork 20%, plumbing 16%, electrical 15%, paint 12%, misc. 7%) and labour. Extra bathrooms beyond one per two bedrooms, and extra kitchens, are added at a fixed cost per room. Turnkey adds a per-sq-ft fit-out allowance (cabinets, wardrobes, fixtures).
4. Optional extras
Boundary wall = running feet × wall rate for the quality tier, city-adjusted. Approval/NOC fee = plot size in Marla × editable fee per Marla (default PKR 18000).
Material quantities per sq ft of covered area
| Material | Standard quality, per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Cement | 0.42 bags (50 kg) |
| Steel (saria) | 3.6 kg |
| Bricks | 27 nos. |
| Sand | 1.1 cft |
| Crush | 0.85 cft |
Quality factors and labour/finishing rates
| Quality | Quantity factor | Structure labour / sq ft | Finishing / sq ft | Labour share of finishing | Turnkey add-on / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 0.88 | PKR 520 | PKR 900 | 42% | PKR 280 |
| Standard | 1 | PKR 680 | PKR 1,450 | 45% | PKR 480 |
| Premium | 1.15 | PKR 900 | PKR 2,300 | 47% | PKR 900 |
| Luxury | 1.35 | PKR 1,180 | PKR 3,300 | 50% | PKR 1,500 |
City factors
| City | Labour & finishing factor (Lahore = 1.00) |
|---|---|
| Lahore | 1.00 |
| Karachi | 0.98 |
| Islamabad | 1.08 |
| Rawalpindi | 0.95 |
| Faisalabad | 0.90 |
| Multan | 0.88 |
| Peshawar | 0.87 |
| Gujranwala | 0.89 |
| Sialkot | 0.90 |
| Hyderabad | 0.88 |
| Sargodha | 0.87 |
Default material rates
| Material | Rate used | Rate date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement (50 kg bag) | PKR 1,500 per bag | 15 October 2026 | ConstructionCostPK planning rate — confirm with your local supplier |
| Steel / saria (Grade 60) | PKR 275 per kg (PKR 275,000 per ton) | 15 October 2026 | ConstructionCostPK planning rate — confirm with your local supplier |
| Bricks (A-class) | PKR 20,000 per 1,000 | 15 October 2026 | ConstructionCostPK planning rate — confirm with your local supplier |
| Sand | PKR 90 per cft | 15 October 2026 | ConstructionCostPK planning rate — confirm with your local supplier |
| Crush / bajri | PKR 130 per cft | 15 October 2026 | ConstructionCostPK planning rate — confirm with your local supplier |
These are the default rates the calculator uses (editable in its "Advanced" panel). Market prices change weekly — always get a fresh quotation before buying. See construction material rates for notes on each material.
Limitations
- Estimates are planning figures, not quotations. Site conditions (soil, slope, water table), structural design and contractor margins can move the real cost by 10–20% or more.
- Quantities are thumb rules; your structural engineer’s bill of quantities always takes priority.
- Default rates are reviewed periodically, not daily. Enter your own quotations in the “Advanced” panel for the best accuracy.
- Land, utility connection charges, furniture and appliances are not included.
Changes to this method
Any change to formulas or default rates is recorded in the update log on our About page.