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Road markings – cost per m – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

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Road markings
per m · supply & lay
£2 – £8 / m
What is it

Road markings are sprayed or screeded lines applied to carriageways using thermoplastic or paint to define lanes, restrictions and traffic controls.

Rate guide
Standard 100mm white thermoplastic continuous line£2 – £4/m
100mm white thermoplastic intermittent line£3 – £5/m
150mm white thermoplastic continuous line£3 – £6/m
200mm white thermoplastic continuous line£4 – £7/m
Double yellow lines, two 100mm lines£5 – £8/m
Labour output
Long continuous runs on clear carriageway1,500–3,000 m/day
Intermittent lines with routine setting out800–1,600 m/day
Urban works with junctions and parked-vehicle constraints400–900 m/day
Broken-up visits or heavily restricted working150–400 m/day
Key rate adjusters
Order size
Short visits and small quantities can attract a £750–£1,500 mobilisation charge or increase effective metre rates by 25–60%.
Line width
Increasing a thermoplastic line from 100mm to 150mm typically adds 30–45%, while a 200mm line can add 70–100%.
Traffic management
Lane closures, temporary signals and impact-protection vehicles can add £1,000–£4,000 per shift depending on road classification and closure requirements.
Night working
Restricted night shifts and enhanced supervision commonly increase application rates by 20–40%.
Surface preparation
Cleaning, drying, priming or treating polished surfaces can add £0.50–£2.00/m.
Removal work
Erasing redundant markings by grinding or hydroblasting typically adds £4–£10/m before reinstatement.
Quantity surveyor insights
  • Waste and buildability: Allow for 5–10% material and productivity loss around arrows, tapers, ironwork and irregular junction geometry; completing surfacing and snagging first avoids costly remobilisation and damaged fresh markings.
  • Scope and procurement: Confirm whether rates include setting out, primers, reflective beads, traffic management, line removal and return visits, as these are frequent scope gaps; packaging markings with the surfacing subcontract generally secures better continuity and commercial leverage.

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

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