In This Post:
– Comparison of Grey Structure Cost
– Comparison of Finishing Cost
Purchasing a readymade house is quite easy as compared to building a residential unit from scratch. However, when constructing your own house you can easily accommodate most of your preferences and also save a few bucks in the process – but only if you are smart enough. It is therefore so important to do your homework before you even lay down the first brick. Calculate the construction cost and set your budget so that you neither overspend nor under utilise the available resources.
There are two important, and popular, types of categories in construction in Pakistan – A and A+ (A Plus). In this blog we will discuss the construction cost of an A category vs. A+ category 10 marla house so that you can understand where the variations in construction cost lie and choose between the two accordingly. Let us take a look at the construction cost comparison of an A category and A+ category 10 marla house.
CONSTRUCTION COST COMPARISON OF AN A CATEGORY AND A+ CATEGORY 10 marla HOUSE IN PAKISTAN
When building a 10 marla house in Pakistan, you need to ensure the quality of construction supplies used and also calculate the quantity of each material. Let us now take a look at the thorough cost-based analysis of the budget for a 10 marla house for both A and A+ category.
For both A and A+ houses in Pakistan, the covered area for a double-story 10 marla house is 3,300 sq ft. The ground floor covers around 1,650 sq ft and the first floor covers 1,550 sq ft. The mumtee covers around 100 sq ft. The house under consideration has 5 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, two kitchens, and two living rooms, one on each floor, a drawing/dining area and a staircase leading to the mumtee. Take note that tiles are used to make the flooring of the house and marble is used on the staircase and also as a countertop on kitchen shelves.
GREY STRUCTURE COST OF AN A CATEGORY VS. A+ CATEGORY 10 marla HOUSE IN PAKISTAN
Before we start comparing the construction cost of an A category and A+ category 10 marla house, we will take a look at the quality of construction materials for both categories in order to understand the cost difference. As shown in the infographic above, the overall grey structure cost of an A category 10 marla house is PKR 4,220,500, while the cost of laying the foundation of an A+ category 10 marla house requires a budget of PKR 4,520,000. Read further as we will show you the breakdown of construction cost to build a 10 marla house and where the difference between the two category houses lie. You need professional labourers for building your house. Since they play an important role in construction, they also use up a major chunk of the budget.
LABOUR
When comparing the construction cost of an A category and A+ category 10 marla house, the labour rate remains the same at PKR 375 per sq ft, taking the total cost to build a 10 marla house in 2020 to PKR 1,237,500.
BRICKS, SAND, CRUSH AND RORI
In Pakistan, there are different types of bricks available in the market. It is also recommended to do a brick test before buying the brick. While in the A category 10 marla unit, you can cut down on cost and get a decent quality of bricks at PKR 11.5 per brick, the A+ category 10 marla house requires you to invest in the superior most quality of bricks, which is available at PKR 14.5 per unit. Therefore, the difference in the cost is quite significant – PKR 270,000 more for an A+ category 10 marla house.
For both categories, the cost on sand, crush and rori all remain the same.
CEMENT, KASSU AND REBAR
Just like sand and crush are the same for both category houses, similarly, you won’t find any differences in the rates for cement, kassu and rebar for A and A+ category 10 marla houses. PKR 1,006,000 is what you’ll need on average for all the above-mentioned items for both categories.
PLUMBING AND WIRING
Around PKR 250,000 is generally required to install plumbing and electrical systems in the house. The cost more or less remains the same for A and A+ categories.
GRILLS, GATE AND CHOUGAT STEEL
The grill and gate used in an A+ category 10 marla house is of a superior quality and therefore has a higher rate. PKR 95,000 is spent on installing safety grills in an A+ category house, while you would need only PKR 85,500 for an A category unit. You can choose from a variety of stylish main gate designs which are available in the market. A budget of PKR 95,000 is required to install a fancy main gate for an A+ category unit, while you need only PKR 75,000 for an A+ category house.
OTHER COSTS
The quality is not much different for termite spray and when constructing an overhead tank. Termite spray and the construction of an overhead tank, requires a budget of PKR 53,000 for both categories. Also, once you settle down always keep a watch for any sign of termites in the house.
In a nutshell: A comparison of the construction cost of the grey structure of an A category and A+ category 10 marla house shows that you need PKR 299,500 more to construct an A+ category house.
FINISHING COST OF AN A CATEGORY VS. A+ CATEGORY 10 MARLA HOUSE
The infographic above clearly shows that the finishing cost to build an A+ category 10 marla house is almost double the amount than its counterpart. While you can get done with the finishing of a 10 marla unit in PKR 3,916,925, you would need a huge budget for an A+ category house – approximately PKR 6,401,200. Let us take a look at the breakdown of the construction cost.
TILES AND MARBLE
People constructing a double-unit 10 marla house usually go for tiles. The quality of tiles for both categories vary and so does the cost.
Around PKR 560,000 is required to construct the flooring of the house at the rate of PKR 2,000 for an A category 10 marla unit. This excludes garage, terrace and bathroom tiles. You would need a higher budget of PKR 700,000 for an A+ category house
To construct the floor and walls of the bathrooms, reserve a budget of PKR 202,500 for an A category 10 marla house, but if you are planning to construct an A+ category house, then be prepared to spend a higher sum of PKR 472,500. PKR 33,000 is needed for terrace tiles of an A category 10 marla unit, while PKR 44,000 is required in tiles for the terrace.
Similarly, you would need to spend PKR 82,500 to build a garage in an A category unit, but if you are planning to go for an A+ category house then keep a budget of PKR 110,000. Staircase, Kitchen shelves and the labour cost to carry out the above-mentioned tasks all are somewhat the same for both categories i.e. PKR 335,000.
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
When comparing the construction cost of an A category and A+ category 10 marla house, the electric fixtures play a significant role. For an A+ category house, you would need an expensive chandelier, show lights and lamps to illuminate the space, which would cost you roughly PKR 315,000. However, you can get a decent set of lights and chandelier in a PKR 165,000 package for an A category unit. Fans are almost double the price for an A+ category house – PKR 119,000, while PKR 77,000 are required for an A category house. You should also check out the different types of fans available in Pakistan.
In an A category house, mostly Opal switchboards are used for PKR 850 per board, while in an A+ category house, cost around PKR 1,500 per unit. That is almost double the price. Similarly, superior quality of power plugs are used at the cost of PKR 900 per unit in an A category house, while PKR 475 per unit is charged for the plugs of an A category 10 marla house. The cost incurred on installing exhaust fans and breakers are the same for both the units. However, you would need to spend PKR 5,000 more on hiring an electrician for an A+ category house.
KITCHEN AND BATH ACCESSORIES
In an A category 10 marla house, the kitchen and bath accessories include the kitchen hood, sink, vanity set, commode, bath hangings and bath set at PKR 390,000. On the contrary, in an A+ category 10 marla house, a modern and fancy kitchen is installed at the cost of PKR 350,000 per kitchen. Since two kitchens are required in a double story house, therefore a budget of PKR 700,000 is required. This is almost double the price.
For an A+ category house, top quality bathroom fixtures are used. If you are wondering what kind of fixtures you should have in your bathroom, then do read our detailed blog on: How to Choose the Best Plumbing Fixtures for Your Bathroom. Two wall-mounted Grohe commodes at the cost of PKR 35,000 per unit are required for an A+ category house, while you would need a budget of PKR 75,000 for a set of 5 commodes in the average A category unit. A glass bath cabin can cost you PKR 100,000 in an A+ house, giving the bathroom a luxurious finish. Approximately, PKR 542,500 is spent in the bathroom fixtures and accessories of an A+ category unit, while you would need a budget of PKR 390,000.
PAINT AND CEILING
When finishing the house, you would need to paint it, but remember to do it after installation of switchboards and light fixtures. It is quite tough to paint the base coat of the house. You would therefore need PKR 1,027,500 for an A+ category house, while PKR 728,500 is required in an A category unit.
You’d have to shell out around PKR 60,000 for both categories. Moreover, you need to reserve a budget of PKR 188,500 for the false ceiling of an A category house, while for an A+ category unit, keep an amount of PKR 217,500 for an A+ category unit.
WINDOWS AND MIRRORS
Aluminium and glass work in houses includes windows and window frames, wire mesh and glass panes. The cost of Aluminium windows and glass is PKR 303,750 for an A category house, while the mirrors would cost PKR 30,000. For the staircase, railings are needed which cost you PKR 65,000.
In an A+ category 10 marla house, PKR 415,000 is spent on windows alone, while the mirrors cost you PKR 50,000. Installation of railings cost PKR 150,000.
WOODWORK
Wood is used in various parts of the house in the form of wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, doors, bathroom cabinets and decorative racks in the living room and drawing room. The rates may vary from vendor to vendor, but it is generally advisable to buy wood and let your carpenter carve it into cabinets and doors, rather than to purchase ready-to-use cabinets from the market since you can’t be sure of the material.
There would be one semi-solid wooden door and the rest of the doors would have Malaysian plywood. It would cost you PKR 250,000 for an A category house, while PKR 575,000 for an A+ category unit. Reserve a budget of PKR 360,000 for wardrobes of an A+ category house and PKR 270,000 for an A category unit. PKR 100,000 is required for the LCD rack of an A+ category house, while you can get a decent LCD rack in PKR 50,000 for an A category unit.
Miscellaneous Items
A budget of PKR 320,000 is required to install CCTV cameras, fancy remote-controlled gate and wallpaper in an A+ category 10 marla house. Whereas, in an A category unit, none of the above-mentioned items are required.
In a nutshell: If we look at the overall cost of building an A+ category 10 marla house, it is PKR 6,401,200, whereas an A category 10 marla house requires a budget of PKR 3,916,925 – which would cost around PKR 2,484,275 more than the A category unit.
So, this concludes our piece on the construction cost for A category vs. A+ category 10 marla house in 2020. We will be sharing similar analysis on a 1 kanal house so keep checking Zameen Blog, the best real estate blog in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, you should also take a look at our detailed blogs on: Construction cost comparison of an A and A+ category 5 marla house in Pakistan. Subscribe to the Zameen Newsletter appearing on the right hand side of the page.
For those who are looking to buy land before building a house, then choose your area from these major cities in Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Multan. Did you find our cost analysis useful? Do share your feedback with us on blog@zameen.com and we will surely get back to you!
Note: The rates quoted in this article are from August 2020. The rates in the article have been sourced from Mr. Kashif Mehmood, CEO of Alpha Construction Company. He is available at 0310-4811578
