Hi experts! I am new here and need advice regarding expected cost of commercial plaza construction on a 30 x 40 plot in bahria town rawalpindi, basement+ground+3 floors. Please comment on all aspects of the project, like designing, contractor choice etc etc, and any recommendation or advice is appreciated. Thanks
@ Chun
In BT, there are places where filling is too much and if soil testing report shows fluffy ground, you need to compact it as per BT standards which is very costly. Here you will be hiring the best soil testing company money can buy.
Another common mistakes we do: We tend to save money when it comes to the architect! Hire the best one in town and get your plaza designed by him…this may cost you double but it will pay back to you when BT engineers visit to give you the completion document upon plaza completion.
Compacting the plot is costly for the building contractor and He will try his best to convince you utilizing a tiny diesel driven compactor, likely to put some layers of gravel and will finish in one day. Big mistake!! Just visit BT Rafi block and try to count the cracked buildings, you may have some idea of saving money with the architects/builders.
I am also starting,In Shaa Allah, my own in BT and will keep sharing if something comes up down the line.
@Chun ... Covered area per floor will probably be 1000 sf here. Thus 5 floors equal 5000 sf. I have no knowledge myself of commercial construction and an expert can advise better but likely not much different from residential construction, or may be less costly as bath rooms and kitchens etc are perhaps lesser. I know that good quality residential construction is about Rs. 2000 per sf. By the same formula, your plaza will be 2000 x 5000 = 10,000,000 (10 million or 1 crore rupees).
Regarding architect, I have heard that bahria has its own design wing and people do say that they are the best. Again I have no personal experience or direct knowledge of them, so please don't take my word only for this. Regarding soil testing and earth compaction, I know nothing.
@Abdul Qayyum sahib ... Please share if okay what kind of construction you plan to start and where, just for our learning if possible. Please recommend soil testing, earth compacting and design firms that you know about or plan to use. Thanks
Musafar Sahab
I have small plots in BT safari valley and just initialized the process of two floors construction on each one.
I am fortunate enough to have an honest contractor but unfortunate at the same time as He is among the laziest ones. The man has constructed several house for us and proved himself very honest. I can afford the construction delay as it is easy on my pocket.
Sir, about soil testing, I had good experience with the one who did two tastings for me in DHA, some years ago. Upon his 1st report, I had to sell my plot as the soil testing results was not good.
I am now outside Pakistan and reports are not with me. These reports come in booklet form, 50s of papers just for one testing. I will In Shaa Allah send to you once I visit home but all the DHA/BT approved soil testing parties are professional and good.
For compacting, I did not need much efforts as my plot was conformed on the cutting terrain but still to be on safe side, I hired a heavy diesel driven from the CC Saddar road Rawalpindi.
A good piece of info regarding soil testing:
My cousin bought a plot in my adjacent sector, only to find after heavy rain that his plot was 2 feet down because of filling. The very same contractor compacted that plot and Al-Hamdolillah, his house has been built and no sign of any crack problem for the last 3 years. So please pay attention on soil testing reports and compact the ground if results are negative.
Thanks Abdul Qayyum sahib, as always for your very relevant and sincere comments. We will wait for your specific feedback as you go further with your own projects. May Allah be with you, Amin!
Aameen Sum Aameen