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Manhole - Inspection chamber – cost per nr – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

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Manhole - Inspection chamber
per nr · supply & lay
£605 – £5500 each
What is it

An inspection chamber is an accessible below-ground drainage structure providing entry points for inspection, cleaning and maintenance of connecting pipework.

Rate guide
Standard 450 mm proprietary chamber, up to 1.0 m deep, normal ground£935 – £1375 each
Shallow 300 mm proprietary chamber, up to 600 mm deep£605 – £880 each
600 mm chamber, 1.0–1.5 m deep, with concrete surround£1485 – £2310 each
1,050–1,200 mm precast concrete manhole, up to 2.0 m deep£3520 – £5500 each
Existing drainage connection or chamber alteration£1210 – £2200 each
Labour output
Repetitive chambers in open site with machine excavationup to 2 nr/day
Standard chamber in normal groundup to 2 nr/day
Restricted access requiring small plant and handwork<1 nr/day
Broken-up ground, live services or difficult connections<1 nr/day
Key rate adjusters
Depth
Increasing chamber depth beyond 1.0 m typically adds £300–£700 per additional metre through excavation, wall sections, access and backfilling.
Ground conditions
Rock, running sand or contaminated arisings can increase the installed rate by 20–50% due to slower excavation and enhanced disposal requirements.
Groundwater
Dewatering, temporary sumps and anti-float measures commonly add £250–£900 per chamber.
Cover loading
Upgrading from a pedestrian cover to a carriageway-rated frame and cover can add £200–£600 each.
Pipe connections
Extra branches, backdrop connections or awkward tie-ins typically add £120–£450 per connection.
Access and logistics
Hand excavation, restricted plant access or off-site carting can increase the overall rate by 15–35%.
Quantity surveyor insights
  • Waste and buildability: Coordinate chamber positions with pipe gradients, structural foundations and finished paving to avoid excessive depth, cut fittings and aborted excavations; poor coordination can readily consume 10–20% in additional labour and materials.
  • Scope and procurement: Confirm whether the package includes excavation, disposal, bedding, concrete surround, benching, covers, testing and live-drain connections, as these are frequent scope gaps. Procuring chambers, seals and covers as a coordinated proprietary system reduces compatibility risk and site delays.

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

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