Many Lahore families grow into their homes: a son marries and needs a portion upstairs, an old kitchen is opened up, or a 30-year-old house gets a new front. Renovating is often more complicated than building new because you are working with a structure, wiring and plumbing someone else designed. A good architect starts by finding out what the existing building can safely take.
What's included
| Item | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Measured survey | Drawing the house as it actually stands | Old approved plans often don't match reality |
| Condition check | Visual review of cracks, damp, roof and slab condition | Decides what can be kept |
| Structural assessment | Engineer's check of columns, beams and foundations | Essential before adding any floor |
| Design options | Layouts for the new or changed spaces | Shows what's possible within rules |
| Revised plan drawings | Drawings for submission where approval is needed | Avoids violations |
| Demolition and phasing plan | What is removed and in what order | Lets you plan living arrangements |
| Working drawings | Details for the contractor | Avoids guesswork on site |
When you need it
- Adding a floor or a portion for a married child
- Extending rooms into the lawn or setback area (only where rules allow)
- Removing or moving walls to open up spaces
- Upgrading an old facade, kitchen or bathrooms
- Converting a garage or servant quarter
- Fixing a layout that has poor light or ventilation
Step-by-step process
- Collect what you have – old approved drawings, completion certificate, title documents.
- Survey – the architect measures the house and records its condition.
- Structural check – a structural engineer confirms whether walls, columns and foundations can take the change. Load-bearing walls are not removed without this.
- Rules check – the architect confirms coverage, setbacks and height limits for your scheme.
- Design – options, then a final scheme.
- Approval – submit revised drawings where required.
- Phasing – plan which parts of the house stay in use during work.
- Construction and site visits – especially at demolition and new slab stages.
Approvals for alterations
In DHA Lahore, any construction, addition, alteration or renovation needs prior approval on the prescribed form, and structural additions or alterations need a revised drawing approved before work. Renovation that does not affect the structure needs approval only. Covering an open area or pergola with steel, fibreglass or similar sheets counts as covered area (DHA Construction Regulations).
For LDA schemes, the coverage and FAR table in the regulations applies to new and rebuild plans, and construction deviations are dealt with separately (LDA Building and Zoning Regulations). Ask your architect how your specific change will be treated. Private societies have their own rules.
What affects the cost
There is no standard published rate. Renovation design is priced as a lump sum or per square foot of the area being changed. Factors:
- How much of the house is affected
- Whether a full measured survey is needed (no reliable old drawings)
- Structural assessment and any strengthening design
- Approval drawings and follow-up
- Number of site visits during work
- Facade redesign, if included
Construction costs on renovations are hard to predict until walls are opened. Ask for a contingency in the contractor's quote.
Questions to ask
- Will a structural engineer check before I add a floor?
- Do my existing foundations and columns allow another storey?
- Does this change need approval in my scheme?
- How will we keep the house usable during work?
- How will new and old plumbing and wiring be joined?
- How will you handle damp and roof waterproofing where old meets new?
Red flags
- Adding a floor with no structural check
- "Just remove that wall" advice without knowing if it is load-bearing
- Building into setbacks or covering clear spaces without checking rules
- No survey, design done from an old plan that may be wrong
- Contractor-only renovation with no drawings at all
FAQs
Can I add a floor to my old house? Only if a structural engineer confirms the foundations and columns can carry it and your scheme's height and storey rules allow it.
Do I need approval for interior renovation? In DHA, renovation that doesn't affect structure still needs approval. Ordinary repairs such as painting and plastering are defined separately. Check with your authority.
Is it better to renovate or rebuild? It depends on the condition of the structure and how much you want to change. An architect and engineer can compare both options for you.
Can I extend into the lawn? Only within your scheme's coverage and setback limits.
This page is general information; confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional before you act.