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Asphalt Surface Course - 40mm – cost per m² – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

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Asphalt Surface Course - 40mm
per m² · supply & lay
£29 – £105 / m²
What is it

A 40 mm compacted asphalt surface course machine-laid, jointed and rolled over a prepared bound base.

Rate guide
Standard AC10 surface course, normal access£34 – £44/m²
Large uninterrupted area, over 2,000 m²£29 – £36/m²
SMA surface course, standard black finish£39 – £51/m²
Small or restricted area, under 300 m²£53 – £75/m²
Coloured or specialist decorative asphalt£72 – £105/m²
Labour output
Large open area with continuous paver runs900–1,400 m²/day
Typical car park or estate road500–900 m²/day
Broken-up work around bays and ironwork200–450 m²/day
Predominantly hand-laid restricted work80–180 m²/day
Key rate adjusters
Area and continuity
Large uninterrupted paving runs can reduce the rate by £4–£8/m², while fragmented phases materially increase standing time and joints.
Asphalt specification
Changing from conventional AC10 to SMA typically adds £4–£8/m² through higher material cost and tighter production requirements.
Access restrictions
Limited wagon access, short working windows or remote discharge points can add 15–30% to the installed rate.
Minimum loads
Small orders and part-load charges can add £8–£20/m² where delivered tonnage falls below an economical batch.
Night working
Out-of-hours paving commonly adds 20–40% for labour premiums, lighting, supervision and reduced output.
Regional haulage
Distance from the coating plant can add £2–£7/m², particularly where wagon turnaround constrains the laying gang.
Quantity surveyor insights
  • Waste and buildability: Allow 5–8% material waste for normal work and 8–12% for small, irregular or heavily jointed areas. Confirm that paver access, turning space and wagon sequencing are achievable before adopting high-output rates.
  • Scope and procurement: Clarify whether tack coat, regulating, planing, ironwork adjustment, testing and traffic management sit within the surfacing package, as omissions can add £5–£20/m². Secure plant-specific quotations close to the works period because bitumen movements, haul distance and minimum-load terms can quickly erode an early budget allowance.

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

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