Previously, all our cost articles from Team Overc's applied to residential construction projects only — however, there was a very popular demand from our followers for a commercial plaza construction cost breakdown for a frame structure. Since Team Overc's already has first-hand experience of various commercial projects successfully completed in Lahore & Islamabad, it is easy for us to guide our followers about the cost of a commercial plaza built as a frame structure. The method of calculating cost is largely the same as in our previous articles and videos, with one significant change — here we have also mentioned quantities alongside the per sq.ft costs. Like our previous residential costing articles, this commercial plaza costing will also be for grey structure only.
Commercial plaza construction can be done by two methods, which should be understood before going into the construction cost of a commercial plaza:
Labour contract
A contract in which the owner procures material and supervises labour on a self-help basis. A labour contractor is responsible for arranging the required labour to carry out construction procedures. Construction cost in this case is entirely in the hands of the owner himself — the final cost of construction will depend on how well the owner has managed the construction process, both in terms of material procurement and labour procurement. In this article we will discuss the construction cost for this method.
Turnkey contract
This is a method or contract in which the owner hires a professional company on a lump-sum or per-square-foot construction rate for a turnkey solution. The owner does not have to worry about construction cost, as the builder has agreed to provide all services within a predefined budget and cost. The owner only has to supervise whether the builder is carrying out the work as per the agreement or not. At the end of this article we will tell you how much a professional company charges for its services, and how much extra per square foot you would have to pay compared to building the commercial plaza yourself.
Sample project
5 Marla commercial plaza construction cost (125 sq.yd)
Covered area TOTAL 4,900 sq.ft, including:
- Basement 1,200 sq.ft
- Ground floor 1,200 sq.ft
- First floor 1,200 sq.ft
- Second floor 1,200 sq.ft
- Mumty 100 sq.ft
Item-wise per square foot commercial plaza construction cost:
Main construction items
| # | Item | Rate (Rs/sq.ft) | Quantity for 4,900 sq.ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bricks | 125 | 53,260 bricks (Rs 11.5/piece) |
| 2 | Crush | 131 | 8,024 c.ft (Rs 80/c.ft) |
| 3 | Cement | 175 | 1,715 bags (Rs 500/50kg bag) |
| 4 | Steel | 620 | 27,370 kg / 27.37 tons (Rs 111/kg) |
| 5 | Sand | 50 | 8,166 c.ft (Rs 30/c.ft) |
| 6 | Labour contractor | 450 | Rs 2,205,000 |
| 7 | Steel fixer | 36 | Rs 176,400 |
| 8 | Plumbing contractor | 18 | Rs 88,200 |
| 9 | Electric contractor | 18 | Rs 88,200 |
Point to be noted: the labour rate of Rs 450/sq.ft considered in this calculation includes everything related to labour & machinery — masons, helpers, mixing machines, vibrators, scaffolding and shuttering. Since this method of construction is frame structure, shuttering has a very critical role. Best quality shuttering is done with steel plates of 4ft x 8ft alongside palai sheets — this rate considers use of both steel plates and palai for shuttering of columns, slabs, basement retaining walls etc. Another critical labour item is the steel fixer, for which the per-ton labour rate has been considered at Rs 6,500. Similarly, the electrician and plumber rates include the complete work related to electrical and plumbing till grey structure — i.e. conduit in slabs and walls, hot and cold water pipes, drain pipes & main sewerage lines etc.
Other items
| # | Item | Rate (Rs/sq.ft) | Cost for 4,900 sq.ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excavation | 10 | Rs 49,000 |
| 2 | Water proofing | 10 | Rs 49,000 |
| 3 | Water stopper | 5 | Rs 24,500 |
| 4 | Electricity items | 35 | Rs 171,500 |
| 5 | Plumbing items | 70 | Rs 343,000 |
| 6 | Brick tile | 15 | Rs 73,500 |
| 7 | Guard salary | 16 | Rs 78,400 |
| 8 | Gravel | 20 | Rs 98,000 |
| 9 | Bitumen | 5 | Rs 24,500 |
| 10 | Polythene sheet | 4 | Rs 19,600 |
| 11 | Mud | 4 | Rs 19,600 |
| 12 | Chips aggregate | 5 | Rs 24,500 |
| 13 | Taxes | 6 | Rs 29,400 |
| 14 | Electricity bills | 5 | Rs 24,500 |
| 15 | Water boring | 5 | Rs 24,500 |
| 16 | Anti-termite spray | 7 | Rs 34,300 |
| 17 | Random expenditures | 20 | Rs 98,000 |
Water proofing considered in this method is a simple chemical coating of Ultra or Sika, either of which has a surface area rate of up to Rs 20/sq.ft maximum. For stronger waterproofing of basement retaining walls, PVC membrane sheets can be used, though this adds to the overall waterproofing cost since it is more expensive.
Electric items include the complete uPVC conduit (pipes) required in walls, slabs, underground etc. It also includes complete switchboards, internal box fittings required for standard Chinese fittings, and main DBs (distribution boxes) for ground and first floor. Electric conduit witnessed a sharp increase in prices in 2019/20 compared to 2018.
Plumbing items include complete PPRC pipes and fittings such as elbows, bends, T's etc required for water and gas connections, as well as complete uPVC piping for sewerage and drain systems, and a typical standard 400-gallon plastic overhead water tank with GI (steel) pipe fittings. Plumbing conduit also witnessed a sharp increase in prices in 2019/20 compared to 2018.
Brick tile is required during the process of waterproofing and finishing the floor of roofs — the brick tile considered in this cost is up to Rs 10/tile. Guard salary has been considered on the basis of Rs 15,000/month for a tenure of 5 months maximum.
Total grey structure cost — 5 marla commercial plaza, frame structure
| # | Category | Rate (Rs/sq.ft) | Total for 4,900 sq.ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main construction items | 1,623 | Rs 7,952,700 |
| 2 | Other items | 242 | Rs 1,185,800 |
| 3 | Grand total grey structure | 1,865 | Rs 9,138,500 |
Disclaimer
- Possible ±5% variation is possible in the cost shown above.
- Rates applicable on frame structures only, in Lahore & Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
- Skills required to achieve this cost: past construction experience, quality & honest labour, labour management skills, and quality, timely & cost-effective material procurement.
- Factors such as construction inexperience, unusual covered areas, frequent wear & tear, or fraudulent labour can affect this cost figure.
- Hiring a professional company will add a minimum figure of Rs 200/sq.ft as margin.
- Basement grey structure will cost a minimum of Rs 2,029/sq.ft (see our basement costing article).
Residential costing grey structure articles
Link to our previous 2017 grey structure cost article.