Asphalt Base Course - 150mm – cost per m² – UK 2026 Rate Guide

Budget rate for supply & lay · typical budget rate before your adjustments

Asphalt Base Course - 150mm

per m² · supply & lay

£36 – £108 / m²

What is it

A 150mm compacted asphalt base course, typically laid in two lifts, forming the structural pavement layer beneath the binder and surface courses.

Rate guide

Standard AC 32 dense base, normal access and quantities£42 – £54/m²

Large continuous paving area, over 5,000m²£36 – £46/m²

Enhanced or polymer-modified base material£52 – £69/m²

Small or phased works, 500–1,500m²£57 – £79/m²

Restricted-access or predominantly hand-laid work£77 – £108/m²

Labour output

Large continuous area with uninterrupted paver operation900–1,400 m²/day

Normal site conditions with regular delivery flow600–900 m²/day

Phased working around junctions, bays or obstructions300–550 m²/day

Broken-up or restricted work requiring significant hand laying120–250 m²/day

Key rate adjusters

Order quantity

Orders below about 500m² can increase the rate by £12–£25/m² because mobilisation and minimum-load costs are spread over less work.

Haul distance

Extended travel from the coating plant can add £2–£7/m² through higher transport costs and reduced delivery reliability.

Site geometry

Tight radii, narrow strips and numerous tie-ins typically add 10–30% by reducing paver output and increasing hand finishing.

Working hours

Night, weekend or possession working commonly increases the rate by 15–35% through premiums and shorter productive windows.

Material specification

Polymer-modified binders, special aggregates or enhanced performance requirements can add £5–£15/m².

Formation condition

Local regulating, cleaning and correction of an uneven receiving surface can add £4–£18/m² before productive base-course laying starts.

Quantity surveyor insights

Waste and buildability: Allow around 3–5% material waste for regular paving, rising to 7–10% on fragmented layouts; plan the 150mm depth as two compatible lifts with joints staggered and delivery volumes matched to achievable paving output.
Scope and procurement: Confirm whether tack coats, saw-cut joints, edge sealing, testing, traffic management, ironwork adjustments and regulating are included, as these are frequent scope gaps. Secure coating-plant capacity and delivery slots early, particularly for remote sites or restricted working periods.

Estimate Anything AI answer · indicative budget rates · updated 31 August 2026