Quick answer: In October 2026, the average retail price of a 50 kg cement bag in Lahore is about Rs 1,630 (official PBS data for the week ending 8 October), with most dealers quoting Rs 1,500 to 1,650 depending on the brand. Steel (sarya) is quoted at about Rs 255 to 265 per kg by dealers and about Rs 275 to 277 per kg on major mill list prices for Grade 60. For a 5 marla double-storey house, cement and steel alone now cost about Rs 21 to 27 lakh.
Prices change every week. Use this page to check whether a quote is reasonable, then confirm the rate with your dealer on the day you buy.
Cement Prices in Punjab (Week Ending 8 October 2026)
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that cement prices rose again in early October. The average bag price in northern Pakistan went up 1.66% in one week to Rs 1,613.
| City | Average price per 50 kg bag |
|---|---|
| Lahore | Rs 1,630 |
| Gujranwala | Rs 1,650 |
| Multan | Rs 1,653 |
| Sialkot | Rs 1,647 |
| Faisalabad | Rs 1,610 |
| Islamabad | Rs 1,611 |
| Rawalpindi | Rs 1,552 |
Retail rates differ between brands and between OPC and slag or SRC cement. Our guide to the best cement brands in Pakistan explains which type to use for each part of the house.
Steel (Sarya) Rates in October 2026
| Source of quote | Grade 60 | Grade 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Major mill list prices | about Rs 277 per kg | about Rs 275 per kg |
| Dealer market rates (other brands) | about Rs 255 - 265 per kg | usually slightly lower |
Mill list prices have been mostly flat since late September 2026. The gap between brands is real, so compare the same grade and the same bar sizes. Do not save money by switching from Grade 60 to Grade 40 when your drawings call for Grade 60. See Grade 40 vs Grade 60 steel.
What These Rates Mean for Your House
Using typical quantities from our cement quantity guide and steel quantity guide, at Rs 1,630 per bag and Rs 255 - 277 per kg:
| House | Cement bags | Cement cost | Steel | Steel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 marla double storey (2,000 sq ft) | 800 - 1,000 | Rs 13.0 - 16.3 lakh | 3 - 4 tons | Rs 7.7 - 11.1 lakh |
| 10 marla double storey (3,400 sq ft) | 1,400 - 1,700 | Rs 22.8 - 27.7 lakh | 5.5 - 7 tons | Rs 14.0 - 19.4 lakh |
| 1 kanal double storey (6,000 sq ft) | 2,500 - 3,000 | Rs 40.8 - 48.9 lakh | 10 - 14 tons | Rs 25.5 - 38.8 lakh |
Together, cement and steel make up roughly 35 to 45 percent of the grey structure cost. The rest is bricks, sand, crush, labour, plumbing and electrical work. For full budgets, see our Lahore construction rate per sq ft.
How Much Does a Price Rise Add?
- Rs 100 more per cement bag adds about Rs 80,000 - 1 lakh to a 5 marla house and Rs 1.4 - 1.7 lakh to a 10 marla house.
- Rs 10 more per kg of steel adds about Rs 30,000 - 40,000 to a 5 marla house and Rs 55,000 - 70,000 to a 10 marla house.
A single price rise rarely changes the overall budget much. The bigger risks are buying the wrong quantity, paying for poor material, and long delays that expose you to several price rises in a row.
How to Protect Your Budget from Price Swings
- Buy steel per slab, not in small lots: Order the full bar bending schedule (BBS) quantity for each slab at once, so one rate applies to the whole pour.
- Do not stock cement for months: Cement loses strength in storage, especially in humid weather. Buy in batches that will be used within a few weeks.
- Fix rates in your contract: On a material-plus-labour contract, agree the specification and the rate basis in writing, including what happens if prices rise. Our contract checklist covers escalation clauses.
- Keep the timeline tight: A grey structure that runs 4 months late can absorb more price rises than any discount you negotiated. See our construction timeline guide.
- Check brand and grade on delivery: Match the steel mill markings and cement bags to what you paid for.
Planet Builders prices grey structure and turnkey projects against a written specification and an itemized BOQ, so you can see exactly where every rupee goes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cement rate in Lahore today?
Official PBS data put the average at about Rs 1,630 per 50 kg bag in Lahore in early October 2026. Dealer quotes usually range from Rs 1,500 to 1,650 depending on brand and type.
What is the steel rate per kg in Pakistan in October 2026?
Grade 60 steel is about Rs 255 to 265 per kg at dealer rates and about Rs 275 to 277 per kg on major mill list prices.
How much cement and steel does a 5 marla house need?
A 5 marla double-storey house of about 2,000 sq ft needs roughly 800 to 1,000 bags of cement and 3 to 4 tons of steel, depending on the structural design.
Should I wait for prices to fall before building?
Usually not. Small price changes add only a small share to the total cost, while waiting can expose you to bigger increases. Locking in a contract and building on a steady timeline gives more cost certainty.
Want a fixed, itemized estimate at today's rates? Contact Planet Builders & Interiors.