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Sub-base – cost per m³ – UK 2026 Rate Guide

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

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Sub-base
per m³ · supply & lay
£83 – £259 / m³
What is it

Sub-base is a compacted granular layer laid beneath paving, slabs or roads to distribute loads and provide a stable formation.

Rate guide
Standard Type 1, normal access£105 – £149/m³
Recycled Type 1, locally available£83 – £121/m³
Type 3 open-graded aggregate£116 – £165/m³
Type 1, restricted-access placement£149 – £209/m³
Cement-bound granular material£182 – £259/m³
Labour output
Open site, machine spread and roller compacted120–180 m³/day
Typical building-site access and phased working70–120 m³/day
Confined area with small plant30–60 m³/day
Broken-up work around services and obstructions12–30 m³/day
Key rate adjusters
Haul distance
Remote quarries or constrained delivery routes can add £10–£30/m³ through higher transport costs and reduced vehicle cycles.
Layer thickness
Thin layers below about 150 mm can increase placement costs by 15–30% because plant productivity is spread across a smaller volume.
Restricted access
Small dumpers, mini-excavators and double handling can increase the installed rate by £30–£60/m³.
Aggregate source
Locally available recycled material may save £15–£30/m³, subject to specification compliance and consistent supply.
Formation condition
Soft spots, pumping ground or standing water can add £10–£40/m³ through remediation, separation layers and additional compaction effort.
Testing requirements
Enhanced plate-load, density or grading regimes can add £2–£8/m³ depending on lot sizes and testing frequency.
Quantity surveyor insights
  • Waste and buildability: Allow 5–10% for compaction, trimming, contamination and local over-depth, with a higher allowance where formation levels are irregular or deliveries cannot tip close to the workface.
  • Scope and procurement: Confirm whether excavation, disposal, geotextiles, capping, testing and formation remediation sit within the package; early quarry engagement and coordinated call-off volumes can protect both price and programme.

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

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