Formwork – cost per m² – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

Formwork

per m² · supply & lay

£77 – £330 / m²

What is it

Formwork is the temporary mould and supporting system used to shape and retain in-situ concrete until it achieves sufficient strength.

Rate guide

Standard straight walls, reusable plywood or panel system£77 – £110/m²

Flat slab soffits with regular propping£83 – £121/m²

Beam sides and soffits£105 – £160/m²

Rectangular columns and pilasters£121 – £187/m²

Curved, architectural or predominantly single-use formwork£198 – £330/m²

Labour output

Large repetitive wall panels, clear working area, three-person gang25–40 m²/day

Regular slab soffits, straightforward propping, three-to-four-person gang20–35 m²/day

Beams, columns and frequent returns, three-person gang10–18 m²/day

Broken-up work, restricted access or heavy interface detailing, three-person gang5–10 m²/day

Key rate adjusters

Repetition

Repeated bays and planned panel reuse can reduce the rate by 10–20% through improved gang output and lower material consumption.

Surface finish

High-quality visual concrete, new facing plywood and controlled tie layouts typically add 8–20% to the formwork rate.

Height and access

Elevated work, congested scaffolding or crane dependence can increase rates by 15–35% compared with clear low-level operations.

Small pours

Short runs and isolated pours can add £15–£35/m² because mobilisation, cutting and striking time is spread over limited area.

Programme pressure

Accelerated cycles, overtime working and additional formwork sets commonly increase cost by 10–25%.

Embedded details

Stop-ends, cast-in plates, rebates, box-outs and non-standard tie arrangements can add £10–£30/m² depending on density and complexity.

Quantity surveyor insights

Waste and buildability: Standardise pour sizes, wall thicknesses, openings and panel modules early, as excessive cutting and low reuse quickly erode productivity and increase plywood waste. A coordinated pour sequence can materially reduce both formwork stock and crane demand.
Scope and procurement: Confirm responsibility for design, temporary works checks, propping, striking, release agent, ties, stop-ends, attendance and remedials before tender comparison. Early specialist engagement and package procurement are particularly valuable where architectural finishes, rapid cycles or proprietary systems are required.

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