NEWS: Building material gets costlier with boom in construction

KARACHI: The prices of building materials have risen sharply in the last two years with construction activities picking up momentum after launching of housing and highrise projects.

For example, the price of mixer machine including trolley, engine and tyres has swelled to Rs420,000-450,000 from Rs400,000 in the last quarter of 2020 due to massive hike in iron rates. Also the price of lifts with 50ft height steel structure for carrying mixture of cement and concrete to the roof hovers between Rs350,000-400,000.

A mixer machine manufacturer in Liaquatabad area told Dawn the iron price of 8mm gauge now costs Rs170-193 per kg depending on the quality as compared to Rs137-140 in the last quarter of 2020 while 16-horse power engine price is now Rs64,000 as compared to Rs52,000-55,000 a few months back.

He said mixer machines are not readily available for on-spot sales. “We give one to two weeks’ time for delivery after getting an advance booking,” he added.

Transporters of mixer machines also demand more due to rising petroleum prices, he said, adding that these mixer machines are being utilised in Karachi mainly by builders, contractors and developers.

An operator of mixer machine said the life of a mixer machine usually ranges between five and six years followed by engine lifespan of six months to one year depending on the usage.

He said nine months back the lift for five-storey height was available at Rs175,000, which now costs Rs200,000.

He said massive construction activities have boosted demand for various building materials used in housing and highrise projects. He added that the mixer machine set was available at Rs250,000-300,000 two years back.

Hassan Bakhshi, former chairman Association of Builders and Developers, said the price of floor tiles has increased to Rs1,450 per sq ft from Rs1,300 in 2018 while bathroom tiles now cost Rs1,140 as compared to Rs1,050 two years back.

Cement price is now tagged at over Rs600 per 50kg bag as compared to Rs530 in 2018 while steel bar price has gone up by 47 per cent to 140,000 per tonne now.

Doors with frame are available at Rs13,000 versus Rs10,000 for (3.5x7ft six) while aluminum rate climbed to Rs650 from Rs525 per sq ft.

He said the above rates are wholesale rates on which few builders deal due to their bulk orders in cash and advance booking.

Comments

NEWS: ICCI calls for Reducing Property Tax on Auto Market Plots

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Sunday urged the government to reduce property tax on plots belonging to auto markets. The statement was made by ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan during a visit of a delegation of the Islamabad Auto Market, I-10/3, Traders Welfare Association (TWA), led by its TWA President Musharraf Janjua and TWA Secretary General Salawar Khan Afridi who had come to highlight the issues of their market for redress. The ICCI president said that property tax on auto market plots had been increased from Rs6,440 to Rs14,000 in one go. Terming it an unjustified act, he urged the government for bringing property tax down to the previous level for providing relief to auto market traders. The auto traders further complained that water charges for auto market have also been increased from Rs1,750 to Rs4100, which was a massive increase and demanded that the charges should be rationalised to make them affordable. Speaking at th...

NEWS: Construction work on five mega projects in Lahore likely to begin next month

Construction work on five mega projects in Lahore likely to begin next month LAHORE: The construction work on five mega development projects worth over Rs20.5 billion is likely to begin in the provincial capital by the end of next month, as preparations related to qualification of contractors, bidding process, award of contracts, transfer of funds etc are underway these days. The projects proposed to be launched soon included construction of a flyover at Sheranwala Gate, an underpass at Ghulab Devi Hospital and additional lanes on the Lahore Bridge (Ferozepur Road), a flyover at Shahkam Chowk, construction of five underpasses on The Mall, and resolving traffic congestion at Barkat Market (Garden Town) Y-junction. However, the Karim Market (Allama Iqbal Town) intersection flyover and an underpass project has been delayed for six months because of non-availability of funds in the ongoing fiscal year. “It has been decided in principle to launch these projects in the city, as the Lah...

NEWS: Construction, mining machinery imports reduced by 32.86pc

During the period under review, Other Appartus imports also came down by 5.20%, valuing $216,637 thousand imported as compared the imports worth $228,509 thousand of same period of last year. ISLAMABAD: Construction and Mining machinery imports, during first six months of current fiscal year, have reduced by 32.86 per cent as compared the corresponding period of the last year. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Construction and Mining machinery imports came down from $ 80,871 thousand in Fy 2019-20 of last financial year to US $ 54,294 thousand of the same period of current financial year. During the period of July-Dec 20 this year, imports of Textile Machinery reduced by 0.52 per cent, worth $230,911 thousand as compared the imports valuing $ 232,129 thousand of same period of last year, it added. Meanwhile, Electric Machinery and Appartus imports decreased by 46.26%, worth $640,704 thousand as compared the imports of valuing $1,192,274 thousand of the corresp...

Search This Blog