FAQ

Yes. Highland Constructs is registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). Our lead architects hold PCATP (Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners) registration, which is a legal requirement for signing authority submission drawings in Pakistan. All our projects are carried out in compliance with the Pakistan Building Code, applicable LDA, CDA, and local authority bylaws, and engineering best practices.

Yes, we handle both. Residential work includes houses of all sizes (from 3 marla to 2 kanal and beyond), apartments, villas, and farmhouses. Commercial work includes office buildings, retail plazas, commercial complexes, schools, clinics, and warehouses. The scale and type of project changes, but our project management approach, quality standards, and commitment to on-time delivery remain the same across both sectors.

We take both residential and commercial. The project type matters more than the plot size. We apply the same level of engineering rigour and site management to a small house as we do to a large commercial building. Please note that very small plots may have specific LDA or local authority constraints affecting the permissible built area, which we will clarify during the initial consultation.

Grey structure covers all structural and shell work from the ground up. This includes site clearing and levelling, excavation, foundation and footing construction, plinth beam, damp-proof course, brick masonry walls, RCC columns and beams, lintels over openings, all floor slabs, roof slab, parapet walls, ring beam, external rough plaster, and anti-termite treatment. It does not include internal finishes, tiling, paint, electrical fittings, plumbing fixtures, or doors and windows; those are finishing items.

We specify material grades in every contract so there is no ambiguity. For steel reinforcement, we use Grade 60 deformed bars (Fe 415 or above) from established mills. Concrete is mixed to the structural engineer's specified grade typically M20 for beams and columns in standard residential projects. Bricks are kiln-fired clay meeting PBC strength requirements. Cement is from approved brands. We do not substitute materials without client consent, and we never use substandard alternatives to reduce costs.

Yes, and this is a common approach in Pakistan. Many clients finance construction in phases completing the grey structure first and returning for finishes when budget allows. If you are planning to do this, we strongly recommend including electrical and plumbing conduit rough-in during the grey structure phase. Doing so costs a fraction of what it would cost to break finished walls later to install conduit. We will advise you specifically during the planning stage.

A complete turnkey project with us covers: architectural design and structural drawings, building authority approval, full grey structure (foundation to roof), MEP works (electrical wiring, plumbing, gas conduit), floor and wall tiling, false ceilings, paint, woodwork (kitchens, wardrobes, doors), hardware and fittings, exterior boundary wall, driveway, and final site clean-up. Interior design consultation is included in the package. We hand you a finished, fully functional property you just bring your belongings.

Cost control starts before the first brick is laid. We prepare a detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ) priced per item before the contract is signed, so you know the cost of every component. All material brands and grades are specified in the contract; there are no substitute materials slipped in later. Any scope change requires a formal written change order with agreed cost and timeline adjustment before work proceeds. Monthly financial statements are shared with clients showing actual expenditure against the BOQ.

Yes. We sign a formal construction contract before any work begins. The contract documents include scope of work, drawings list, material specification schedule, milestone-based payment terms, project timeline, defect liability period, and dispute resolution provisions. We recommend every client have their solicitor review the contract before signing. A properly documented contract protects both parties and is the foundation of a project that runs smoothly.

For any building that requires LDA, CDA, or local authority approval which covers virtually all urban construction drawings must be signed by a PCATP-registered architect. Submitting drawings signed by an unregistered person is not accepted by authorities and creates serious legal and financial risk to the property owner. All our lead architects are PCATP-registered and experienced in preparing submission drawings for Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other cities.

Our standard architectural design fee includes two full rounds of revisions after the initial design presentation. In our experience, this is sufficient for the vast majority of projects when the initial briefing is thorough and we invest time upfront in that briefing for exactly that reason. If additional revision rounds are needed beyond the standard two, these are charged at a modest hourly rate, which is agreed in writing before we proceed.

Our standard residential visualization package includes three photorealistic external perspective views, two internal perspective views of the main living spaces, and a bird's-eye site plan view. For clients who want a more comprehensive preview, we offer extended packages with full 360-degree walkthrough animations and virtual reality-compatible models. Commercial projects include elevation renders and a massing model. All renders are produced before construction begins, so you can request changes at the design stage rather than after work has started.

Absolutely. Our interior design services are available independently of our construction work. Many clients approach us for interior design on homes built by other contractors, on completed apartments they have purchased, or on commercial spaces being prepared for occupation. We begin with the same thorough briefing and space planning process regardless of who built the shell; the quality of our design work does not depend on having been involved in the construction phase.

We follow a structured eight-step process: discovery brief, concept development (mood boards and style direction), space planning, 3D visualization, material and furniture selection (physical sample board), design documentation, execution supervision, and final styling. You are involved at every key decision point, especially the 3D visualization stage, where you see a photorealistic preview of each room before any physical work begins. Nothing is installed without your approval of the design.

Yes, we offer a supply-and-install option for furniture as part of our full interior design packages. We source from trusted suppliers across Lahore and Islamabad and also commission custom pieces from our carpentry partners for non-standard sizes or premium finishes. Alternatively, if you prefer to purchase specific items yourself, we can integrate your selections into the design. Both options can be mixed within a single project and are flexible to suit your preferences and budget.

Construction costs vary significantly based on location, specification level, structural system, and finishing quality. As a general reference, standard residential grey structure in Lahore currently ranges from PKR 2,800 to 3,500+ per square foot of covered area, depending on material grades and site conditions. Turnkey construction fully finished typically ranges from PKR 5,500 to 8,800 per square foot for standard to premium specification. We provide a detailed itemized estimate for every project before any commitment is made.

For a turnkey project in Lahore or Islamabad, a 5 marla house typically takes 8 to 12 months from contract signing to handover. A 10 marla house takes approximately 9 to 10 months, and a 1 kanal house takes 12 to 18 months. These estimates assume normal site conditions, timely client approvals at design stages, and no force majeure events. Grey structure alone for a 5 marla house takes approximately 3 to 4 months. We provide a project programme with your contract.

Every project has a dedicated project manager who is your single point of contact throughout. A qualified site engineer is present on-site daily during active construction phases. The project manager visits the site multiple times per week, maintains the construction programme, manages subcontractors and material deliveries, and sends you a weekly progress report. You never have to chase updates or coordinate between different parties; that is entirely our responsibility.

Quality control is built into our process at every critical stage, not bolted on at the end. We conduct mandatory site inspections at foundation completion, plinth level, each floor slab, and roof slab. Concrete mix ratios and steel reinforcement are checked before each pour. Material deliveries are inspected against approved specifications on arrival. You receive a photo report from each quality inspection. Before handover, we complete a formal snag list and resolve every item before handing over keys.

Yes, we have extensive project experience in DHA Lahore (Phase 1 through Phase 9), Bahria Town Lahore, DHA Islamabad, Bahria Town Islamabad, and a range of LDA-approved schemes. We are familiar with each scheme's architectural control requirements, approved contractor lists, material entry procedures, and working hour regulations. If you have a plot in any DHA or Bahria Town community, we can advise you on what is permissible and how the approval process works before you commit.