A 5 marla house is the most popular plot size in Pakistan. In 2026, building a fully finished 5 marla single-storey house costs roughly PKR 90 lakh to 1.4 crore depending on your city and the quality of finishing you choose. This guide breaks the number down so you can budget with confidence.
Cost by construction stage
- Grey structure — the shell: foundation, walls, roof slab, steel and grey-stage labour. This is the cheapest stage and usually 45–50% of the total.
- Semi-finished — grey structure plus plaster, doors, windows, electrical and plumbing. Roughly 70–75% of the total.
- Fully finished — everything including tiles, paint, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes.
What drives the cost
Cement, steel (sarya), bricks, sand and labour make up the bulk of the bill. Steel and cement prices move the most, so the year you build matters a lot. City also matters: Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad are typically 5–15% more expensive than smaller cities like Sahiwal.
How to save money
- Build the grey structure first and finish in phases.
- Buy steel and cement in bulk when prices dip.
- Choose economy-grade tiles and fittings for rental or first homes.
- Always get at least three contractor quotes before you commit.
Use our free calculator to get an exact figure for your city, plot size and finishing level.