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Ironwork adjustment – cost per nr – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

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Ironwork adjustment
per nr · supply & lay
£242 – £1485 each
What is it

Adjustment of existing manhole covers, gully gratings or utility boxes to suit revised finished surface levels, including lifting, rebedding and local making good.

Rate guide
Standard carriageway cover, 25–75 mm adjustment using existing frame£385 – £605 each
Footway or paved-area cover, 25–75 mm adjustment£242 – £396 each
Gully grating and frame adjustment£330 – £523 each
Deep adjustment with local chamber rebuild, 75–300 mm£550 – £935 each
Adjustment with replacement frame and cover£825 – £1485 each
Labour output
Repetitive work in clear, prepared areas5–8 nr/day
Normal site conditions with local breaking out3–5 nr/day
Live carriageway under traffic management2–4 nr/day
Restricted access or heavily broken-up work1–2 nr/day
Key rate adjusters
Adjustment depth
Rebuilding beyond 75 mm typically adds £80–£180 for each additional 100 mm of depth.
Replacement ironwork
A new compliant frame and cover generally adds £350–£800 depending on loading class, size and specification.
Traffic management
Dedicated lane closures, permits and temporary controls can add £750–£2,500 per visit or increase the unit rate by 20–60%.
Rapid-set materials
Proprietary bedding and reinstatement systems typically add £50–£120 each but reduce closure time and return visits.
Working hours
Night, weekend or restricted-hour operations commonly increase labour and plant allowances by 25–50%.
Small quantities
Isolated adjustments can attract a 15–35% premium because mobilisation, cutting equipment and supervision are spread across fewer items.
Quantity surveyor insights
  • Waste and buildability: Allow for damaged frames, fractured chamber brickwork and additional saw-cut reinstatement discovered after opening up; early level surveys and trial exposures reduce abortive work and can protect 10–20% of the package value.
  • Scope and procurement: Confirm responsibility for covers, bedding systems, chamber repairs, surfacing, traffic management and utility-owner approvals before award. Procuring compatible ironwork early is critical because non-standard covers and utility-specific products can delay completion and create costly temporary reinstatements.

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

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