The 5 marla house is Pakistanβs most popular built-home size β the number most families search first. It is also the size where budget mistakes are loudest, because people budget a 5 marla like a single-storey flat and then build double-storey. The difference between those two builds is often Rs. 30β50 Lakh. Identity Interior, a construction company in Karachi, prices 5 marla homes for grey structure, finishing and complete turnkey projects.
This guide shows the realistic 5 marla house construction cost in Pakistan for 2026 β single vs double storey, grey vs finished, and a per-marla way to check any quote fast.
- What exactly a 5 marla build covers
- Single storey vs double storey 5 marla cost
- Grey, finishing and turnkey budgets at a glance
- Per-marla shortcut to check any quote
- City differences (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad)
- Where the money goes
- 5 marla house construction timeline
- Frequently asked questions
What a 5 Marla Build Means
A 5 marla plot is 1,125 sq ft (225 sq ft per marla in Lahore/new LDA standard; some societies use 250 sq ft marlas). With typical 75β80% ground coverage, you get about 850 β 900 sq ft per floor β so ground only is ~850 β 900 sq ft, and ground + 1 is ~1,575 β 2,250 sq ft covered depending on your societyβs coverage rules and setbacks.
5 Marla House Construction Cost in Pakistan (2026)
Base figures are Punjab-level (Lahore). Karachi and Islamabad run 5β15% higher, and applying that moves the budget by lakhs.
| Build Type | Economy | Standard (Recommended) | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grey structure only (G+1) | Rs. 45 β 55 Lakh | Rs. 55 β 75 Lakh | Rs. 75 β 95 Lakh |
| Ground floor only (basic finish) | Rs. 40 β 55 Lakh | Rs. 55 β 75 Lakh | Rs. 75 β 1 Crore |
| Turnkey / complete (G+1) | Rs. 90 Lakh β 1.2 Crore | Rs. 1.1 β 1.5 Crore | Rs. 1.5 β 2.2 Crore |
Single Storey vs Double Storey 5 Marla
Building up on a 5 marla is almost always the better deal when land is expensive:
- Ground only (~850 β 900 sq ft): less budget, but your land cost and approval fees stay the same, so you pay more per usable sq ft.
- Ground + 1 (~1,575 β 2,250 sq ft): roughly 60β70% more than the ground-only build but about match doubles your usable area.
First-floor grey structure costs about 15β20% more per sq ft than ground due to slab and scaffolding work, which is why the double-storey jump is not linear.
The Per-Marla Shortcut to Check Any Quote
Experienced owners verify 5 marla quotes using cost per marla. At standard specification in 2026:
| Tier | Grey per Marla | Finishing per Marla | Turnkey per Marla |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Rs. 12 β 15 Lakh | Rs. 10 β 15 Lakh | Rs. 22 β 30 Lakh |
| Premium | Rs. 15 β 20 Lakh | Rs. 15 β 25 Lakh | Rs. 30 β 45 Lakh |
A quote far outside these ranges usually means a different tier, a different covered area, or a hidden exclusion β ask before comparing.
City Differences for the Same 5 Marla
Using a Lahore standard turnkey at ~Rs. 1.05 β 1.2 Crore as the base, expect roughly:
- Karachi: +5β15% β coastal materials, labour rates, DHA/Clifton premiums
- Islamabad / Rawalpindi: +5β10% β material transport and byelaws
- Multan / Faisalabad: β5β8% β lower local labour and material logistics
Where the Money Goes on a 5 Marla
- Grey / structural (β40%): foundation, RCC frame, brickwork, plaster, rough-ins
- Finishing (β40%): tiles, paint, doors/windows, bathrooms, kitchen
- MEP and fixtures (β15β20%): plumbing/sanitary, electrical fittings, lights, fans
- Ancillaries (12β18% on top): approvals, utility connections, professional fees
5 Marla House Construction Timeline
A 5 marla home typically takes 6 β 9 months foundation-to-handover with one crew: grey structure 3β4 months, finishing 3β4 months, fixtures 1 month. Plan approvals alone can add 1β2 months before construction even starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 5 marla double storey house cost in Pakistan in 2026?
Rs. 90 Lakh β 1.5 Crore for a standard finish (grey + finishing), excluding land, approvals and utility shifts. Premium finishes push past Rs. 1.5 Crore.
How much is only grey structure on a 5 marla?
Rs. 45 β 80 Lakh depending on storeys and tier. See the full grey structure cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
What is the cheapest way to build a 5 marla house?
Ground floor only, economy tier, local materials β roughly Rs. 40 β 55 Lakh. It maximizes cost but makes poor use of an expensive plot.
Should I build grey first and finish later?
It is a valid budget-stage strategy, but keep finishing specs in mind from day one so rough-ins and housekeeping services match later. Turnkey construction companies in Karachi can handle both stages under one contract.
Get an Exact 5 Marla Estimate β Free Site Visit
- We measure your plot and confirm covered area rules
- You get separate grey and finishing budgets for your storeys
- You receive one written per-sq-ft quotation to compare
Conclusion
A 5 marla house gives the best balance of land value and usable space in Pakistan, but only if you budget the right build type. Decide single vs double storey first, price grey and finishing separately, and compare per-marla numbers on the same scope. When the covered area and tier are locked, the total β and surprise costs β stay in control. For a full picture of both stages, pair this with the house construction cost guide.