The front elevation is the face of your house. A 3D elevation lets you see it before a single brick is laid: the balance of solid and glass, the cladding, the boundary wall and gate, and how it looks at night with lighting. It also helps your contractor price the facade correctly.
What's included
| Item | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concept options | Two or three style directions (modern, contemporary, classic, Spanish) | Number set in the quote |
| 3D renders | Day view, and often a night view with lighting | Check how many angles are included |
| Material and colour schedule | List of cladding, tiles, paint, glass, railing finish | Needed for contractor pricing |
| 2D elevation drawing | Dimensioned front (and side, for corner plots) elevation | Used in approval and working drawings |
| Boundary wall and gate | Wall, gate and porch shown in context | Must follow your scheme's wall rules |
| Revisions | Agreed number of revision rounds | Get it in writing |
| Walkthrough video | Optional animated view | Usually extra |
When you need it
- After your floor plans are final, since windows and doors must match the plan
- Before ordering facade materials such as stone, tiles or cladding panels
- When renovating an old house front
- To compare contractor quotes on the same facade specification
Step-by-step process
- Finalise the naqsha first – window and door positions come from the plan.
- Share references – photos of facades you like and your budget for finishes.
- Concept options – the architect presents style directions.
- Pick one and refine – materials, colours, lighting, gate design.
- Final renders and 2D drawing – including the material schedule.
- Hand over to the contractor – with details for cladding fixing, drip edges and waterproofing at joints.
Rules that affect the facade
Elevations must respect your authority's rules on projections and boundary walls. In DHA Lahore, for example:
- A sun or rain shade up to 2 feet wide is allowed but cannot be used as a balcony; railings or parapets up to 36 inches are allowed only on the front shade at ground and first floors.
- Balconies are not permitted on clear spaces.
- The boundary wall can be a maximum of 7 feet from the crown of the adjacent road, and on corner plots the gate cannot be placed in the chamfered portion.
- For the completion certificate, DHA asks for photos of the front elevation (and side, for corner plots).
All from the DHA Construction Regulations. LDA schemes and private societies have their own rules, so ask your architect to confirm them.
What affects the cost
No fixed published rate exists; quotes are usually a lump sum per elevation. Factors:
- Number of facades (corner plots have two)
- Number of concept options and revision rounds
- Night renders, multiple angles or a walkthrough video
- Whether a 2D dimensioned elevation and material schedule are included
- Whether it is bundled with the naqsha and approval drawings
Remember the bigger cost is building it. Stone, glass and cladding choices can change your facade budget far more than the design fee.
Questions to ask
- Is this designed by an architect or only a 3D visualiser?
- Will the elevation match my approved floor plan exactly?
- Does the material schedule name specifications I can price?
- Are drip edges, joint sealing and waterproofing shown for cladding?
- How many revisions and renders are included?
- Does the design follow my scheme's projection and boundary wall rules?
Red flags
- Elevation designed without seeing your floor plan
- Copied images from the internet passed off as a custom design
- Large projections or balconies your scheme does not allow
- Heavy cladding with no thought for fixing and weight
- Large glass on the west face with no shading in Lahore's summer
- Renders delivered with no 2D drawing for the builder
FAQs
Can I get an elevation without hiring the architect for the full house? Yes, many architects do elevation-only work, but give them your final plan so windows and doors line up.
Does the elevation need approval? It forms part of the building plan submission. DHA also asks for front elevation photos at completion to check the house matches.
Which style suits Lahore's climate best? Any style can work if it shades windows, especially on south and west faces, and uses materials that handle heat and monsoon rain.
Can the elevation be changed during construction? Small changes are possible, but any change that affects projections or structure may need revised approval.