5 Marla House Construction in Pakistan: Costing and Important Details

Last Updated on November 7, 2024 by Zunaira

Building a 5 Marla House requires proper planning. Though many gated communities offer developed houses with various amenities, they are not tailor-made. Despite this, people prefer to build a home according to their preferences and convenience.

In Pakistan, 5 Marla plots and houses are in high demand as they are affordable and suitable for families. Instead of buying an already-constructed home, building it on your own is a good option. With proper budgeting and planning, you can save a significant amount and build a home of your choice.

5 Marla Covered Area

The total covered area of a 5 Marla double-storey house is 1,925 sq. ft. with 875 sq. ft. covered on both the first and second floors. The 5 Marla house plan typically includes three bedrooms, a TV lounge, 3 attached bathrooms, 2 kitchens, and a mumty. This layout is designed to maximize space efficiency while maintaining a comfortable living experience.

Steps Included in 5 Marla House Construction

If you are planning 5 Marla house construction in Pakistan, you must know the current market dynamics, material costs, labor rate, and all other necessary steps. 5 Marla home construction consists of 2 parts i.e. grey structure and finishing. You need to pay attention to every little thing during construction.

Let’s discuss everything in detail, including the necessary steps and 5 Marla house construction costs in Pakistan.

Plot Demarcation

Plot demarcation refers to fixing the boundaries of your plot before construction begins. The society’s surveyors mark the four corners of the plot and issue a demarcation certificate. Through this process, you can accurately identify the location of your plot. The team marks the first point a certain distance away from the road, according to their criteria. Once the first point is established, the other four corner points are marked accordingly, using steel rods for precise boundary definition.

Excavation & Layout

Plot excavation is a starting point when building the foundation of your home. The whole structure of the home is built upon it. You must have working drawings to start the excavation and layout process. Maybe, some parts of the plots will not be excavated. Also, the depth and dimensions of the excavation vary from 3 feet to 5 feet, mentioned in the working drawing issued by your architecture. The excavators dig the approved parts of the ground. The bottom layer must be compacted and there must not be any soft place. 5 Marla house excavation usually takes 3 to 4 days.

Underground Termite Proofing

After the completion of the excavation, the next important step before starting the construction is anti-termite treatment. If left unchecked, the termites can cause significant damage to your home’s foundation. That is why underground termite proofing is essential. This is done after the excavation process is completed. Many companies are offering termite spray services at multiple rates. The approximate anti-termite treatment cost in Pakistan for 5 Marla houses is around 25,000 PKR.

Read more: Methods to kick off Lizards, Rats, and other Insects out of Your Home

Base Filling

Base filling of the plot is essential, and using high-quality sand is crucial for a strong foundation. This step plays a vital role in establishing your home’s base. Therefore, selecting the right river sand is critical. In Pakistan, a special river sand mixture called ghassu is commonly used for plot base filling. Ghassu is a 70% sand and 30% clay mixture, which is important for all construction projects due to its excellent compaction properties.

Ravi sand is considered the most effective due to its superior aggregate material. However, Chenab sand or coastal beach sand can also be used. For base filling, only Kassu should be utilized, as it compacts well. Avoid using regular soil, as it does not compact adequately and may lead to future damage to the foundation or walls. For a 5 Marla house, approximately 3,300 cubic feet of Kassu is required for proper filling. Ensuring this step is done correctly will significantly impact the structural integrity of your home.

Foundation Construction

After the completion of base filling, the foundation work starts. This is an important phase during your home construction. Hence, the laborers start working on the foundation with blocks and bricks. Usually, bricks are used for foundation construction; however, in some parts of Pakistan, blocks are also used.

Red clay bricks are a good choice as they come with great strength. However, Fly Ash Bricks are among the new bricks made using new concrete techniques. These bricks are in high demand in many areas of Pakistan, especially Punjab. The bricks are used to make house foundations till the DPC level, where all the parts of the houses are marked. Your whole house structure is based on the foundation thus; it provides stability to a home.

Grey Structure Construction

The grey structure of a house is built using essential materials like bricks, cement, sand, bajri, safety grills, Ghassu, and other necessary items. While the basic construction materials are key to forming the grey structure, it also includes crucial elements such as wiring, sanitary work, plumbing, and the installation of the main gate. This phase is fundamental to house construction and requires thorough planning and attention to detail to ensure durability and functionality.

The following steps are part of the grey structure construction:

• Brick wall construction, as per the architectural drawing
• Complete roofing system
• Concrete/cement wall plaster
• Window shades
• All water tanks
• Boundary wall
• Complete underground electrification (excluding lights and switches)
• Full sewerage system installation
• Safety grills
• Main gate installation

Proper execution of these steps is critical to building a strong and reliable structure that serves as the foundation for the remaining construction work.

RCC Lintel

RCC slab casting of 5 Marla houses is the main step during the construction. The lintel makes the overall structure of the house strong. The width of the lintel is the same as the walls’ width. Hence, many types of lintels exist, such as timber, stone, brick, and steel. Timber lintels are not very durable and are used in hilly areas. Stone lintel is also not reliable because of its weak tensile nature.

Bricks lintel is also fine but the Steel Lintel is highly recommended as it is strong, durable, and advanced. Currently, steel lintel is most commonly used as it fulfills all the safety standards of a roofing system. Before lintel, the shuttering work is done. Shuttering is of two types, i.e. wooden and steel. Hence, steel shuttering is recommended because of its strength and reliability.

You need high-quality steel bars for 5 Marla RCC lintel (Grade 60 or Grade 40). The quantity of steel you require ranges from 1300 kg to 1400 kg. Moreover, you need 80 to 50 cement bags, 1 trolley of Coarse sand, 400 to 425 Cubic Feet crush, and 10 kg binding wire. Of course, you need extra labor and machinery for the lintel, including a mixer machine, lift, and more.

Wiring, Gas Piping & Plumbing Work

The plumbing work involves the underground installation of a sewerage system, water connections, pipelines, and more. It is crucial that this be done according to modern plumbing standards to prevent any future technical issues. For house plumbing, electric wiring, and gas piping, the rough estimate is Rs. 1,108,900 This phase also includes all sanitary installations in the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, and other necessary areas of the house.

Additionally, gas pipeline installation and connections are part of the plumbing process. It’s important to ensure that underground plumbing and wiring are completed before the plastering stage. Gas and water pipes typically use conduits ranging from ¾” to 2” in diameter, while the sewerage system generally requires pipes with diameters between 2” and 6”. Proper planning and execution during this phase are vital to ensure the smooth functioning of the house’s utility systems.

Concrete Plaster

For the exterior grey finishing, plaster is the most important phase. This is done with cement that covers the brick walls and gives them a smooth and plain look. Cement plaster made of sand, Portland cement, and water gives masonry exteriors and interiors a high-end finish. Not only the plaster gives the structure a more polished appearance, but it also protects the surfaces.

All home parts are plastered, including ceiling plaster, internal walls plaster, external walls, boundary wall plaster, etc. Usually, the single plaster coat is enough; however, the thickness of the layer should not be less than 12mm to 15mm. A maximum of 100 to 105 bags are used for plastering a 5 Marla house in Pakistan. Hence, you require 550 cubic feet of cement that must be thick.

According to Rs.1530 per bag rate, the 5 Marla home plaster cost in Pakistan would be Rs.160,650. However, the rate can vary depending on the cement company you choose. This excludes the labor cost. The plaster makes the surfaces more strong and more durable. However, you should keep checking with the balancing scale that the plater layer is equal and perfectly balanced; otherwise, this can cause a problem during the finishing process or painting.

Finishing

Finishing After the completion of the grey structure, here comes the finishing task. This includes the decoration and finishing of your house according to your preferences. There are so many choices available to make your home incredible. Hence, the finishing cost of 5 Marla houses is based on the material selection, quality, and many other aspects. The expensive, as well as standard finishing options are available. The choice is solely based on your budget and taste. The finishing work includes painting, tiling, ceiling, wooden work, grills, and more.

5 Marla House Construction Cost Estimate

5 Marla House Grey Structure

To build up a grey structure of 5 Marla houses in any part of Pakistan, you must be familiar with basic information. This includes the knowledge of the material, cost, steps, and other aspects. The 5 Marla house cost construction estimate allows you to arrange your budget efficiently. Here, we will discuss everything you need to know for 5 Marla house construction, including the material, quantity, quality, and cost. All the prices are estimated and can vary according to the city and area. So, let’s start!

5 Marla Grey Structure Construction Cost & Material

Bricks

Bricks are used everywhere to build up the structure of homes and buildings. They possess immense durability, thus making energy-efficient and strong houses. When constructing your 5 Marla house, knowing the current brick rates in Pakistan is important. You should also know how many bricks are used to make 5 Marla houses.

You should choose the bricks carefully as they make the integral structure of your home. First-class bricks or Awwal bricks must be used. Never use third-class bricks, as they are of low quality and do not provide the needed durability. The size of red brick in Pakistan is 9 Inches long, 4 inches wide, and 5 inches in height.

Brick Cost & Quantity

The current rate per brick is 16 to 19 Rupees; however, you require around 56,262 bricks to construct 5 Marla houses. According to Rs.19, the total brick cost is Rs. 1,068,978 Remember, this is only an estimated cost, and the rates can vary according to the area and brick type.

Cement

Cement is one of the most important binding materials during construction. Hence, it is used for masonry work, plastering, making joints, floors concrete, roofs, lintels, pillars, and almost all phases. You must choose high-quality cement to provide immense strength to masonry, high-end plastering, and moisture resistance.

Cement Cost & Quantity

Many companies offer cement; however, the rates are similar with a slight difference. You require almost 605 cement bags to build a 5 Marla home. Hence, the per-bag rate starts from Rs.1490 to 1550. According to Rs.1550, the total cost of cement used in 5 Marla house grey structure construction is Rs. 937,750 . This cost varies according to the cement rate, type, company, and quality.

Sand

Sand is also among the vital construction materials when building your home. During the construction, sand is used in many phases, including foundation construction, concrete, plaster, lime mortar, and more. However, well-graded sand plays a vital role in increasing mortar volume. Choose sand that is free of chemicals; grains should be sharp and not contain clay particles. Usually, the sand is taken from coastal beaches or river beds. The most common and reliable sands are Ravi sand and Chenab sand.

Sand Cost & Quantity

While making 5 Marla house grey structures requires almost 3,025 Cubic Feet of Ravi sand. However, the rate of Ravi sand per cubic meter is Rs.58. According to this rate, the total cost of sand is Rs.175,450

700 cubic feet of Chenab sand is also required. This sand is excellent in terms of quality and strength. Chenab sand rate per cubic meter is Rs.65; however, the total cost of Chenab sand is Rs.45,500 for 5 Marla homes.

Crush (Bajri)

Crush is crucial for PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) and RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete). However, the crush is used both for the house’s base and the roof. To make crush, the stones or gravels are crushed into multiple sizes. In Pakistan, the Margalla Crush and Sargodha crush are widely used as they are more reliable. Margalla crush is used for lintel and Sargodha crush is used for flooring.

Crush Cost & Quantity: For 5 Marla house construction, you need approximately 1721 Cubic Feet crush. Hence, the Margalla crush rate in Pakistan per cubic feet is around Rs.175 According to this, the total crush cost is Rs.301,175.

For flooring, 600 cubic meter Sargodha crush is required. The rate of Sargodha crush per cubic meter is Rs.130; however, the total cost is Rs.78,000.

Excavation, Backfilling and Ghassu

Ghassu is a mixture of sand and clay from river beds or coastal beaches. This is used for the back-filling of the plot foundation to the level of the first floor. Ghassu strengthens your home foundation as it is free of chemicals, dirt, and straw. Hence, it is used after the brickwork of the foundation is completed. During the Ghassu filling, it needs to be compacted well layer by layer to give it more strength.

Kassu Cost: The total cost of excavation, backfilling, and ghassu is around Rs. 136,752

Steel

While constructing a 5 Marla house, steel is needed at various stages. The steel comes with great strength and durability. Nowadays, steel lintels are considered the most reliable and sustainable. For 5 Marla house construction, steel is used in many parts, including columns, water tanks, slabs, lintel, beams, Roof slabs. It is highly recommended for Grade 60 or Grade 40 steel bars. Do not use down gauge steel, as its performance is zero.

Steel Cost & Quantity: For 5 Marla house construction, you need almost 3 Ton steel. The rate of 60-grade steel bars starts from Rs.270 per kg. The total cost of steel will be around Rs.810,000. 

Iron Chokhat

Installing the door frames is also part of the grey structure construction. However, you need chokhat steel. The steel chokhats or door frames are made of durable steel sheets and are available in many types, including 14 gauge, 16 gauge, and 18 gauge. The most reliable steel door frames are 14 gauge and 16 gauge. Choughat steel is installed while making the structure of the house. For 4 to 4.5 inches walls, the size of the chokhat must be 5 inches wide.

Steel Choughat Cost & Quantity: For 5 Marla homes, you need 16 chokhats, approximately. The estimated cost of steel chokhats is around 112,000 PKR.

Aluminum Windows & Mirrors

You require 6 room windows and 4 bathroom windows. The aluminum per window rate for the room is around Rs.20,340, while for the bathroom, per window rate is Rs.13,560. However, the window mirrors will also be required, costing around Rs.30,000. The estimated cost of aluminum windows for 5 Marla houses is Rs.206,280

Main Gate

You also need the main gate as it is a part of a grey structure. The cost of the gate depends on its design and gauge. 16 and 18 gauge gates are highly recommended as they are more durable and strong. However, 20 and 22 gauge options are also available but are unreliable.

Main Gate Cost: For 16 and 18-gauge main gates, the estimated cost is around 120,000 PKR. The price may vary because of the gate design.

Plumbing

The plumbing and sanitary work are important when building a grey structure of 5 Marla’s home. This includes the system installation of water, drainage, sewerage, and everything. During this phase, you need to be careful all the work is done underground and requires technical expertise. The working drawings have all the details regarding the sanitary work and connections.

The water conduits are made of pipes in diameter of ¾ to 2”; however, the sewerage system of pipes is made in diameter of 2” to 6”. GI conduits are more durable and reliable for water pipes. For drainage and sewerage pipelines, UPVC pipes are suitable.

Hot and cold water supply 

Approximately Rs.51,310

Insulation Armaflex 

Approximately Rs.33,900

Drainage System

Approximately Rs.70,150

Pumps and Drains 

Approximately Rs.31,200

AC Drainage System 

Approximately Rs.15,000

UPVC Pipelines 

Approximately Rs.36,400

Labor Cost 

Approximately Rs.89,000

Total Plumbing or Sanitary Cost: The cost of plumbing in 5 Marla houses is approximately Rs. 326,960

Electric Wiring Cost

Underground electric wiring is a crucial aspect when constructing your home. This requires proper planning and professional expertise. You need PVC pipes, electrical conduit, switchboard boxes, PVC bend, junction boxes, PVC tape, and more for electric wiring. Make sure to leave space for the MCB box by measuring the appropriate size.

Switches and Back Boxes

Approximately Rs.190,000

Conduits and Accessories

Approximately Rs.49,900

Cables and Wires 

Approximately Rs.369,000

Lights, Fans, and Chandeliers 

Approximately Rs.240,000

Labor Cost 

Approximately Rs.93,000

The 5 Marla total electric wiring cost estimate is around Rs.941,900, including all the material and labor. You are advised to hire professionals for your home’s electric wiring to avoid future issues.

Gas Piping

You need 152 GI welded pipelines and 2 Gas cocks for 5 Marla house’s gas piping. The total cost will be around Rs.65,902

Other Costs

Apart from the main cost and material, there are many other aspects to consider during the 5 Marla house construction cost estimate and planning. The most notable one is the cost and construction of a water storage tank. To make this tank, concrete walls are made by using cement.

Other miscellaneous costs include the termite spray to make your home’s foundation safe and strong. The termite spray rate for 5 Marla homes is approximately 25,000. Moreover, you need a polythene sheet, almost 1278 sq. ft. for waterproofing the roof, and DPC. 5 Marla house waterproofing cost is around Rs.108,630.

Labor Cost

While planning 5 Marla house construction, never forget to add labor costs. Again, the labor cost is different in different areas of Pakistan. According to a general estimate, the laborer charges almost 390 per sq. ft. For double-story 5 Marla house construction, including plumbing, wiring, and gas piping, the labor cost will be almost 974,000 PKR.

Total Grey Structure Cost of 5 Marla House Double-Storey

The total 5 Marla construction cost of A-category is 6,306,375 PKR, approximately. 

Finishing

After completing the grey structure, the next step is finishing. As already discussed, the finishing of your home fully depends on your preferences and choice. This is the final phase that gives your home a complete look. However, the finishing includes floor tiling, paint, ceiling, woodwork, stair railing, and more. So let’s discuss the 5 Marla house finishing cost and material in detail!

5 Marla House Finishing Cost & Material

Flooring Tiles

The floor is an integral part of your home. When finishing your home, the first step must be tile flooring. Along with tiles, there are also many flowing types in Pakistan, including laminate flooring, porcelain tiles flooring, granite flooring, hardwood flooring, and more.

Ceramic tile flooring is considered the most reliable and affordable. Here, the tiles are considered to estimate the finishing cost as they are more commonly used. You need tiles for rooms, bathrooms, TV lounge, kitchen, terrace, and garage. You also need stair marble and kitchen shelves marble.

Marble Flooring Types: Marble flooring comes in various types, each offering unique aesthetic qualities. The most popular types include Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuario, which are known for their white and gray veining, along with Crema Marfil, Emperador, and Nero Marquina that offer warmer, darker tones. Each type of marble has distinct patterns and color variations, adding elegance to different interior designs.

In the UAE, marble flooring options are widely available, featuring locally sourced marbles as well as high-quality imports from countries like Italy and Turkey. Dubai is particularly known for its luxury marble selections, offering a range of options suited for high-end projects. The demand for marble flooring in Dubai is consistently strong, as many residences and commercial spaces in the city seek the rich, polished look that marble offers.

Flooring Tiles Cost & Quantity: For a 5 Marla house, you need almost 2140 tiles for a double-story, including all the parts. The dimensions of the tile differ in each part of the house. You require 17×17 tile type for the terrace, 9×26 for bathroom tiles, 17×17 for the terrace, and 2×2 for rooms and TV lounge.

The floor tiles price in Pakistan starts from 310/Sft. Hence, the total cost of the tiles for 5 Marla homes will be Rs.663,400. Floor skirting costs Rs.202,708, while 760 ceramic tiles are required for walls and dado, which costs Rs.219,640. The marble required for stairs costs approximately 115,000 PKR. The kitchen shelf costs 30,000. Moreover, you need almost Rs.60,000 for filling, cement, and tile bands.

Paint

Paint and ceiling are other important phases while giving a final look to your home. The wallpaper and PVC sheets are also used for walls but are costly. Paint is the most reliable and affordable way to give your home a polished and finished look.

You need to paint the interior as well as the exterior of your home. There are many paint companies hence you need to choose the reliable one. However, you can choose the paint colors from light to dark as per your choice. In a newly constructed home, the base of the paint must be done carefully.

Paint Cost: Painting your 5 Marla house interior costs around Rs.490,542. For the exterior, the rock wall is considered the ideal option. The base wall must be plastered with white sand or acrylic. The total cost of an exterior rock wall is around Rs.50,000.

Read more: Painting Newly Built House: Types, Usage and Cost Estimate

Roof Ceiling

The roof is also crucial and requires the proper attention while finishing a house. Nowadays, aesthetically pleasing roof ceilings designs make houses more beautiful and elegant. Instead of traditional roofing, the ceiling is an innovative option. The fan and lights are fixed within the ceiling; however, various ceiling designs, types, and qualities are available.

Roof Ceiling Cost: The ceiling cost is Rs.107,250 for a 2,125 area 5 Marla double story.

Wooden Work

Wooden work is another step to making your home complete. This is an essential part of your home finishing. The woodwork includes wardrobes, doors, kitchen cabinets, LCD rack, and door handles. There are several designs you can choose for wooden work. You can buy these things from the ready-made market; however, buying wood and hiring a carpenter is recommended to make designs of your choice. This ensures genuine and durable woodwork for your home.

You need doors for rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other parts. However, the entrance gate in the TV lounge should be semi-solid wooden. For other frames, Malaysian plywood doors are suitable. UV ply boards or formic sheets are required for wardrobes and kitchen cabinets.

Wooden Work Cost: The wooden doors for 5 Marla homes will cost around Rs.499,000, including the main entrance door, bathroom doors, bedroom doors, kitchen door, roof door, terrace door etc. For kitchen woodwork, the total cost estimate is Rs.216,600. Moreover, Rs.234,000 is required for wardrobes. The fittings, door handles, locks, and other parts cost Rs.35,000. To create an LED rack or anything, a budget of Rs.50,000 is required. Hence, the total cost of all the woodwork of 5 Marla houses is around Rs.1,034,600

Kitchen Accessories

Kitchen finishing is a vital aspect when giving your home a final look. There are several things available to make these parts beautiful. You need to pay attention to every aspect while choosing the accessories for the kitchen. The standard plan of 5 Marla homes includes 2 kitchens, one on the first floor and the other on the second floor. However, you should choose the fixtures accordingly. You require two kitchen hoods, kitchen sinks, and taps.

Kitchen Accessories Cost: One kitchen hood costs approximately Rs.35,000. The sink and tap will cost around Rs.27,000 Moreover, the sink mixer will cost Rs.22,600. The total cost for kitchen fixtures is Rs.84,600.

Bathroom Accessories

For bathroom fixtures, you also need a specific budget. Your 5 Marla home includes 3 attached bathrooms; however, you need to buy the accessories accordingly. This includes bath sets, commodes, vanity sets, bath hangings, and plumber costs.

Bathroom Accessories Cost: For 4 bathrooms, you require 4 water closets, 4 vanity basins, 4 basin mixers, 4 Muslim showers, 4 shower sets, 4 toilet paper holders, 4 beveled edge mirrors, and 4 soap dishes.

you need 4 water closets. Each set costs around Rs.21,696; the total cost will be Rs 86,784. The vanity basin costs around Rs.13,575; however, the 4 vanity basins will cost Rs.54,300 One shower set costs around Rs.36160; however, the four will cost Rs.144,640. The cost of 4 toilet paper holders, beveled edge mirrors, and soap dishes will be around Rs.40,082.

Electrical Components

Electricity components include lights, lamps, fans, switchboards, power plugs, exhaust fans, breakers, etc. You need to choose all the electrical accessories carefully as many types and qualities are available in the market.

Electric Components Cost: For a 5 Marla house, you need almost electrical PVC conduits with accessories and PVC ceiling fan hooks which will cost Rs.43,959. All the wires and cables will cost around Rs.369,000. However, the total cost of lights, fans, and chandeliers will be around Rs.240,000.

Staircase and Terrace Railing

A stair and terrace railing gives your home a more aesthetic look. However, it is an essential part of your house finishing. Nowadays, steel railing is more famous as it is more durable. There are many stair railing designs from which you can choose the suitable one. The railings can be made on order according to your stair structure and other specifications.

Stair Railing Cost: A stair railing and terrace railing cost around Rs.120,000.

Geyser and Manhole

For the geyser and manhole, you need to specify a budget of Rs.43,390

Geyser and Manhole

The labor cost for all the fitting, fixtures, and finishing work will be around Rs.485,000. However, the rates can vary according to the area and current market trends.

Total Finishing Cost of 5 Marla House Double-Storey

The total 5 Marla finishing cost of A-category is approximately 4,605,595 PKR. 

Difference between A-Category and A+ Category Finishing

You may hear about A and A-plus categories when you start building your home. Both these construction methods are highly famous in Pakistan. The key difference between A Category and A+ category is the MATERIAL selection.

If you are building an A-category 5 Marla house, you will use high-quality material that is durable and contemporary. Also, the A-category house structure is standard. Most people prefer A category construction and finishing as it is affordable. However, the A+ category is a more modern approach in terms of structure and design.

This includes imported and more expensive materials. The covered area of both categories is the same hence the grey structure, finishing, and material costs are definitely higher than the A category.

How Much Time Does it Take to Construct 5 Marla House?

In Pakistan, building a 5 Marla house double-story can take 4 to 6 months based on several factors. In the first step, the foundation and grey structure are made, including many steps. Each phase has its demand and time duration. The time can be increased or decreased because of many factors, including weather conditions, difficulty in finding material, availability of labor, and more.

Total Cost

5 Marla Grey Structure = Rs. 6,306,375

5 Marla Finishing = Rs. 4,605,595

Total = Rs. 10,911,970