A 10 marla house gives room for a proper drawing and dining area, four or five bedrooms, a family lounge and often a basement or a separate upper portion. With more space, choices multiply, and so does the room for budget drift. A clear brief and a fixed specification keep the project under control.
What is included
| Item | Typical scope | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plot area | About 2,250 sq ft | Society measurements may differ |
| Covered area | About 3,000–3,400 sq ft for a double storey (some estimates 3,150) | Byelaws decide the maximum |
| Design | Architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing drawings | Include elevation and 3D |
| Grey structure | Foundation, frame, slabs, walls, plaster, conduits | Basement priced separately |
| Finishing | Floors, bathrooms, kitchen, woodwork, windows, paint | Room-by-room spec sheet |
| External | Boundary wall, gate, porch, lawn | Confirm whether included |
Plot and covered area figures are from Houseplot construction rate data (October 2026).
When you need it
- You own a 10 marla plot and want a family home.
- You want two independent portions (ground and first floor) for joint family or rental.
- You are replacing an older house with a modern design.
Step-by-step process
- Brief – rooms, portions, basement or not, parking, budget.
- Byelaws check – setbacks, coverage and height for LDA, DHA or your society.
- Design and structure – finalise layout before structural drawings.
- Approval – submit drawings; LDA's building plan approval runs through the Punjab e-Biz portal.
- Quotes – at least three builders, same drawings, same specification.
- Grey structure – with inspections of steel before each pour and curing after.
- Finishing – approve samples before installation.
- Handover – snag list, utility connections, documents.
What affects the cost
Published Lahore ranges in Houseplot construction rate data (October 2026) are roughly Rs2,200–4,000 per sq ft for grey structure and Rs6,500–13,450 per sq ft for a complete house, with a standard Lahore complete-house figure around Rs7,500. As an illustration only: 3,200 sq ft at Rs7,500 per sq ft is about Rs24 million. Main factors:
- Basement: excavation, retaining walls, waterproofing and extra steel.
- Number of portions: two kitchens and separate entrances add cost.
- Finishing level, especially kitchen, woodwork and bathrooms.
- Steel and cement prices during construction.
- Elevation design: stone cladding, glass and cantilevers cost more.
Questions to ask the builder
- Show me a 10 marla project you are building now.
- What covered area is your quote based on, floor by floor?
- Is the basement included, and how will you waterproof it?
- What are the steel grade, cement type and concrete mix for slabs?
- Is your firm PEC-registered, and is the architect PCATP-registered?
- How do you handle material price increases?
- What is the defect liability period?
Red flags
- Basement quoted at the same rate as above-ground floors with no waterproofing details.
- No soil investigation or foundation design for a house with a basement.
- Payment schedule front-loaded before the structure rises.
- "Lump sum" with no drawings or specification attached.
- Builder unwilling to name the site engineer.
FAQs
Should I build a basement on 10 marla? It adds usable space but costs considerably more and needs good waterproofing. Ask for separate quotes with and without it.
Can I build two separate portions? Many owners do. Plan separate entrances, kitchens and meters at design stage, and check what your society allows.
What covered area is typical? Published estimates for a double storey are around 3,000–3,400 sq ft. Your architect will confirm the maximum from the byelaws.
Is it cheaper per sq ft than 5 marla? Sometimes slightly, because fixed costs spread over more area, but finishing choices usually matter more. Compare written quotes.
How do I control budget drift? Freeze the design and specification before signing, and agree written rates for any changes.
This page is general information; confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional before you act.
Sources
- Lahore Development Authority – official website (e-Biz building plan approval, Building and Zoning Regulations 2019)
- Houseplot construction rate data (October 2026) – 10 marla plot and covered area assumptions, Lahore per sq ft ranges