Partition - Metal stud – cost per m² – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

Partition - Metal stud

per m² · supply & lay

£64 – £204 / m²

What is it

A non-loadbearing internal partition formed from galvanised steel studs and tracks, plasterboard linings, insulation and joint treatment.

Rate guide

Standard 70mm stud, single 12.5mm board each side, acoustic quilt and taped joints£79 – £101/m²

Slim 50mm stud, single board each side, no insulation£64 – £79/m²

70mm stud, double board each side with acoustic quilt£108 – £141/m²

92mm stud, enhanced acoustic boards and insulation£123 – £163/m²

High-performance fire and acoustic partition, double specialist boards each side£149 – £204/m²

Labour output

Long clear runs with repetitive layout28–38 m²/day

Typical rooms with regular corners and openings20–28 m²/day

Numerous doors, junctions and service interfaces13–20 m²/day

Restricted access, short runs or phased working8–14 m²/day

Key rate adjusters

Partition height

Heights above 3.0m typically add 10–25% through heavier framing, additional bracing and reduced labour output.

Board specification

Fire, moisture-resistant, impact-resistant or high-density acoustic boards commonly add £8–£25/m² depending on layers and manufacturer.

Acoustic performance

Resilient bars, specialist insulation and sealed perimeters can increase the rate by £12–£35/m².

Openings and corners

Frequent doorways, deflection heads, corners and abutments can add 15–30% to otherwise repetitive partition runs.

Access and logistics

Restricted delivery routes, occupied areas or out-of-hours installation may increase rates by 10–25%.

Finishing standard

Moving from taped joints to a full plaster skim generally adds £10–£16/m², subject to programme and area.

Quantity surveyor insights

Waste and buildability: Allow 7–10% board waste on regular layouts and 12–15% where partitions are short, angled or opening-heavy. Early coordination of stud centres, board orientation and service zones reduces cutting, reinforcement and abortive work.
Scope and procurement: Confirm whether the package includes insulation, deflection heads, plywood pattressing, door framing, sealants, access panels and final decoration, as these are frequent scope gaps. Secure the tested partition system as a complete manufacturer-compliant build-up rather than mixing components solely on lowest unit price.

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