Cattle grid – cost per nr – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

Cattle grid

per nr · supply & lay

£4950 – £20900 each

What is it

A cattle grid is a load-bearing steel grille over a formed pit that permits vehicle access while preventing livestock passage.

Rate guide

Standard 3.0–3.6 m agricultural cattle grid, supplied and installed£8250 – £12650 each

Light-duty 3.0 m grid with shallow concrete pit£6050 – £8800 each

Precast concrete pit and proprietary galvanised grid£9350 – £14300 each

Heavy-duty 4.0–4.8 m highway-rated grid£13200 – £20900 each

Replacement grid using serviceable existing pit£4950 – £8250 each

Labour output

Open greenfield site with prepared accessup to 1 nr/day

Proprietary precast system with crane access<1 nr/day

Installation maintaining restricted vehicle access<1 nr/day

Broken ground, buried services or difficult excavation<1 nr/day

Key rate adjusters

Grid loading

Upgrading from agricultural duty to highway or frequent HGV loading typically adds £3,000–£7,500 each.

Overall width

Increasing the crossing width beyond 3.6 m generally raises the installed rate by 15–35% through heavier steelwork and longer foundations.

Ground conditions

Rock, running sand or weak formation can add £1,500–£5,000 for excavation, temporary support and improved bearing.

Drainage provision

A trapped outlet, carrier drain or soakaway typically adds £750–£3,000 depending on discharge distance and ground permeability.

Traffic management

Phased working, temporary access or road controls can increase the rate by 10–30%.

Finishes and fencing

Galvanising upgrades, wing fencing, gates and approach barriers commonly add £1,000–£4,000 per installation.

Quantity surveyor insights

Waste and buildability: Confirm formation strength, pit drainage and lifting access before ordering, as unsuitable excavated material and aborted crane visits can quickly erode the allowance. Proprietary precast pits often reduce wet-trade time and weather risk where access permits.
Scope and procurement: Clarify whether the package includes excavation disposal, approach slabs, drainage connections, fencing, gates and temporary livestock control. Obtain the grid, pit and load certification from a coordinated specialist supplier to avoid interface gaps and late redesign.

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