A naqsha is more than a sketch of rooms. A good house design in Lahore fits your plot's setbacks and coverage limits, catches the right sun and breeze, keeps bathrooms and kitchens stacked for simpler plumbing, and leaves space for parking and stairs that actually work. Getting it right on paper is far cheaper than changing walls on site.
What's included
| Item | What you get | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Brief and requirement sheet | Written list of rooms, sizes, family needs, budget range | Avoids redesigns later |
| Site and bylaw study | Setbacks, ground coverage, height limits for your scheme | Plan must be approvable |
| Concept layouts | One to three floor plan options per storey | Lets you compare circulation and room sizes |
| Final floor plans | Dimensioned plans for each storey and roof | Basis for elevation and approvals |
| Furniture layout | Beds, sofas, kitchen counters drawn in | Shows if rooms are really usable |
| Basic sections | Floor heights and stair section | Checks headroom and overall height |
| Revisions | A stated number of revision rounds | Prevents disputes over extra charges |
Elevation, approval drawings, structural design and working drawings are often priced separately. Ask.
When you need it
- You have bought a plot and want to know what you can build on it
- You are planning to demolish and rebuild an old house
- You want a realistic design before taking contractor quotes
- You are comparing two plots and want to see which layout works better
Step-by-step process
- Share the basics – plot size (5 marla, 10 marla, 1 kanal), society or LDA scheme, plot facing, corner or not, and a site photo.
- Discuss the brief – bedrooms, prayer room, drawing/dining, guest room on ground floor, servant quarter, basement, number of cars, future floor additions.
- Bylaw check – the architect confirms setbacks and coverage for your scheme. LDA amended its bylaws in 2025, including reinstating a mandatory setback rule for 10 marla, 1 kanal and 2 kanal properties and banning pillar-based construction in residential buildings (Pakistan Observer, Apr 2025).
- Concept options – review layouts, ideally with the furniture shown.
- Revisions – agree changes in writing within the allowed rounds.
- Final plans – signed off by you, then used for elevation and approval drawings.
Approvals and documents
The naqsha itself does not need approval, but it becomes the base of your submission set. In DHA Lahore, submission plans must be signed by an architect registered with PCATP and with DHA, and an approved drawing stays valid for two years (DHA Construction Regulations). For LDA schemes, residential applications have a 45-day decision timeline under the regulations (LDA Building and Zoning Regulations). Keep your allotment or transfer letter and CNIC copies ready; they are typically needed for submission.
What affects the cost
There is no fixed published rate for a naqsha in Lahore. Fees are usually per square foot of covered area or a lump sum. What moves the price:
- Covered area and number of storeys
- Basement (adds structural and waterproofing complexity)
- Number of options and revision rounds
- Whether elevation, approval drawings or BOQ are bundled
- The architect's experience and licence category
- Odd-shaped, corner or sloping plots
Ask for written quotes with the same scope from two or three architects.
Questions to ask the architect
- What is your PCATP registration number and firm category?
- How many layout options and revision rounds are included?
- Is the plan checked against my scheme's current bylaws?
- Will you show furniture layouts so I can judge room sizes?
- Can I see a completed house you designed on a similar plot?
- What is extra: elevation, approval set, structural, BOQ, site visits?
- How are payments staged?
Red flags
- A ready-made naqsha "from our catalogue" with no site study
- Ignoring setbacks to give you bigger rooms
- No written scope or revision limit
- Bathrooms placed over bedrooms or kitchens without discussing plumbing
- Stairs that are too steep or have no landing to save space
- Refusing to share registration details
FAQs
Can I use a naqsha from the internet? You can use it for ideas, but it will not match your plot's setbacks, orientation or scheme rules. A registered architect still has to prepare the submission drawings.
How many options should I expect? That is set in the quote. One to three concept options is common practice; agree the number in writing.
Should the design allow for adding a floor later? If you plan to, tell the architect and structural engineer now so foundations, columns and stairs are designed for it.
Who owns the drawings? PCATP's bye-laws address copyright in project documents. Agree in the contract how you may reuse the drawings.
Is the naqsha the same for LDA and DHA plots? No. Each authority has its own setbacks, coverage and submission format, so the design must follow the rules where your plot sits.