Key Takeaways
- Grey structure (about PKR 3,250/sqft): you control finishing and can spend in phases.
- Turnkey (from about PKR 4,800/sqft): one contract, one price, move-in ready.
- Overseas owners almost always choose turnkey; hands-on local owners often prefer grey structure.
- On compact 3 and 5 Marla plots, turnkey usually protects the design intent better.
What is the difference between grey structure and turnkey?
Grey structure is the complete structural shell, foundation, RCC frame, brickwork, plaster and roof, with no finishes. Turnkey is everything: that structure plus flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, electrical, plumbing, paint and woodwork, handed over move-in ready. In Union Town Lahore grey structure costs about PKR 3,250/sqft; turnkey starts at about PKR 4,800/sqft.
When is grey structure the right choice?
Choose grey structure only when you live in Lahore and can supervise finishing yourself, want to spread spending over time, or already have trusted finishing contractors. You keep control of every tile and fixture selection at your own pace, and you can stop after the shell and resume next year.
When is turnkey the right choice?
Choose turnkey when you are busy or overseas, want one accountable team and a single warranty, or need a predictable completion date. One BOQ fixes the entire price and milestone payments mean you pay only for verified work. There is a Union Town specific argument too: because the society is still developing, a turnkey contractor also coordinates utility connections and site access with the developer, which is otherwise your problem to chase.
Cost comparison for Union Town plot sizes
| Plot | Grey Structure | Turnkey Standard | Turnkey Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Marla | PKR 35-42L | PKR 58-72L | PKR 72-88L |
| 5 Marla | PKR 58-68L | PKR 95L-1.15Cr | PKR 1.15-1.40Cr |
| 10 Marla | PKR 1.17-1.35Cr | PKR 1.85-2.15Cr | PKR 2.30-2.75Cr |
| 1 Kanal | PKR 2.34-2.70Cr | PKR 3.70-4.30Cr | PKR 4.60-5.50Cr |
Full breakdowns: 3 Marla costs and 5 Marla costs.
Does plot size change the answer?
It does. On a Block D 10 Marla or 1 Kanal plot there is enough room that a phased grey-structure approach works comfortably. On a narrow 3 or 5 Marla plot in Block A or Block B, structure and finishing decisions are tightly coupled, where a socket sits, how the staircase turns, where storage is built in, so splitting the work across two contractors is where compact homes usually lose their design intent.
Can I start with grey structure and upgrade to turnkey later?
Yes. Many clients sign grey structure first and add a finishing contract at slab stage, once they have seen our site discipline for themselves. Pricing stays BOQ-itemised either way. Start with the cost calculator, then request an itemised estimate through the contact page, or read more in our construction guides.