Grey structure construction in Lahore

"Grey structure" (often just "structure" or dhancha) is the bare building: foundations, RCC frame, brick walls, roof slabs, plaster and the pipes and conduits hidden inside. It is the part of the house you cannot easily fix later, which is why it deserves the most attention.

What's included

Scope varies between contractors, so treat this as a checklist to confirm in writing.

When you need it

You need a grey structure contract when your map is approved and you want one party to handle labour and main materials. It suits owners who cannot be on site daily, as long as an independent engineer checks the work.

Step-by-step process

1. Finalise drawings. Architectural, structural, electrical and plumbing drawings should be ready before quotes.
2. Write a specification sheet. Cement type, steel grade, brick class, sand and crush source, concrete mix for each element.
3. Collect three quotes on the same drawings and specification.
4. Sign the contract with stage-wise payments, timeline and defects period.
5. Layout and excavation. Check the layout against the drawing before digging.
6. Foundation and plinth. Engineer checks steel and depth before concrete.
7. Columns and slabs, floor by floor. Steel inspection before every pour; curing for the agreed number of days.
8. Brickwork and conduits. Check walls are straight, joints filled and conduits laid as per the electrical drawing.
9. Plaster. Check line and level with a straight edge.
10. Final measurement and handover of the grey structure.

Approvals and documents in Lahore

• Approved building plan from LDA, DHA or your housing society before work starts.
• Stage inspections. LDA's regulations provide for site verification before later plans or the completion certificate are released, and the completion certificate depends on building to the sanctioned plan (LDA regulations, reg. 10.8.10 and 10.9.3).
• Height and storeys. For LDA areas, the regulations list maximum storeys and heights by plot size; for example, 3 storeys and 38 ft for plots of 5 to under 10 marla (LDA regulations, reg. 2.2.3). DHA and private societies have their own bylaws.
• Temporary construction electricity and water connections as required by LESCO and your society.

What affects the cost

Houseplot construction rate data (October 2026) shows published Lahore grey structure rates from about Rs2,200 to Rs4,000 per sq ft, with a typical standard rate around Rs3,300 and DHA around Rs3,500. Cement was about Rs1,500 to Rs1,610 per bag and Grade 60 steel about Rs277,000 per ton on 18 October 2026. These change often, so use them only as a reference.

Factors that move your quote:

• Covered area and number of floors
• Basement or not
• Steel and cement prices when the contractor buys
• Brick class and wall thickness
• Concrete mix and whether ready-mix is used for slabs
• Plaster spec, ceiling plaster, waterproofing
• Site access and street width
• Whether the rate is fixed or adjusts with material prices

Questions to ask the contractor

1. Is your rate per sq ft of covered area, and how do you count the porch, mumty and basement?
2. Which steel grade and cement type do you use, and will you share purchase receipts?
3. How many days will slabs and columns be cured, and who does it?
4. Who is the site supervisor, and how often will an engineer visit?
5. Is the rate fixed if steel or cement prices rise?
6. What is the payment schedule, and how much is held back until handover?
7. What defects period do you offer for cracks and leakage?

Red flags

• No specification sheet, only a "per foot" figure
• Slab poured without your engineer checking the steel
• Mixing concrete by eye with no proportion agreed
• Brick walls going up faster than the mortar can set
• Requests to "adjust" column sizes or remove beams to save cost
• Advance payments far ahead of work done

FAQs

How long does a grey structure take? It depends on size, floors, basement, weather and payment flow. Ask each contractor for a stage-by-stage timeline and tie it to the contract.

Is plaster part of grey structure? Usually yes, but some contractors exclude it or the ceiling plaster. Confirm in writing.

Should I buy steel myself even in a grey structure contract? Some owners do, to control quality. If you do, the contract must say clearly which materials you supply and the rate adjusts accordingly.

What is the difference between grey structure and labour-only? In grey structure the contractor supplies main materials; in labour-only you buy them and the contractor provides workers and supervision.

Sources