Prices of construction materials soar

Developers blame heavy taxes, kilns’ closure for fresh spike

RAWALPINDI:

The prices of building materials have skyrocketed with the onset of the new year, causing the cost of construction to rise exponentially.

The estimated cost of construction of a five-marla double-storey house has increased by Rs0.75 million in Rawalpindi. Similarly, the prices of bricks have also increased to due to heavy fines imposed on brick kilns to curb smog. Brick prices are anticipated to rise further because of the partial closure of kilns in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

In the open market, sand is being sold at Rs25,500 per trolley, gravel at Rs27,000 per trolley, steel at Rs220,000 per ton, and a sack of cement is selling for Rs1,300.

Moreover, the cost of a medium-sized steel gate has climbed from Rs50,000 to Rs150,000, while the cost of window and door frames have increased by Rs8,000 to Rs12,000 respectively. The cost of plumbing supplies and labour has jumped by 300 per cent to aggravate the situation further. Plumbing supplies for a bathroom may cost between Rs60,000 and Rs100,000, kitchen plumbing supplies’ cost can vary from Rs40,000 to Rs80,000, and labour and electrical supplies can cost between Rs100,000 and Rs0.3 million for a five-marla house. The daily labour wage has been increased from Rs1,100 to Rs1,200 while the daily wage of a mason has climbed to Rs2,500.

When contacted, Bhatta Khasht Association Secretary General Chaudhary Raheel said several restrictions have negatively impacted the brick kiln industry. Approximately 10 per cent of the kilns in the Rawalpindi district have been closed with more awaiting a similar fate.

“We will work on curbing smoke emissions if granted an open waiver. It is best to leave the problem of smoke to us and wait for results.”

He further said the zigzag technology is extremely expensive and the cost of coal has also increased by 500 per cent. The prices of building materials will continue to rise rather than decreasing because of the increasing taxes and inflation, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th 2024.