The short answer
Building usually costs less than buying a ready house of the same size when you add the plot price, construction (covered area × turnkey rate), approvals and connections, and the rent you pay while building. Buying ready is faster and lets you inspect what you get; building gives you control over quality and layout.
How the comparison works
Cost to build = plot price + covered area × turnkey rate + approvals, boundary and connections + rent paid during construction.
Cost to buy = the ready house price.
The difference tells you how much you save (or pay extra) for building.
Things the numbers do not show
- Quality you can see — with a ready house you inspect the finished product, but cannot see what is inside the walls. When you build, you control the steel, cement and wiring.
- Time and management — building takes around a year or more and needs supervision, or a builder you trust.
- A new structure — a newly built house needs less repair in its early years.
See our comparison of grey structure and fully finished construction and what building in Faisal Hills costs.
How to use the buy vs build
- 1Enter the ready house price you are considering.
- 2Enter the plot price, covered area and turnkey rate per sq ft.
- 3Add the build time, the rent you would pay meanwhile, and approvals/connection costs.
- 4Read which option is cheaper and by how much.
Frequently asked questions
+Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Islamabad?
Building is often cheaper for the same covered area once you compare like for like, but it takes longer and needs supervision. Enter your actual prices to see the difference.
+How long does it take to build a house?
A typical double-storey house takes roughly 10 to 18 months from excavation to handover, depending on size, finishing and approvals.
+What is a turnkey rate?
A single per-square-foot rate covering both grey structure and finishing, so the house is handed over ready to live in.