Concrete Repair Costs UK
Indicative pricing for industrial, structural, and commercial concrete repair. Ranges reflect typical UK market rates — every project requires a proper site survey and tailored quote.
Important: The price ranges below are indicative only and based on typical UK commercial and industrial projects. They are provided to help with budget planning, not as a substitute for a site survey and formal quotation. Prices exclude VAT. Contact MPS Concrete Solutions for an accurate quote specific to your project.
What Drives Concrete Repair Costs?
Concrete repair is not a commodity. Unlike decorative or cosmetic work, structural concrete repair requires precise diagnosis, product selection, surface preparation, and application by trained operatives. Costs vary substantially depending on:
- Extent and depth of damage — shallow surface defects cost far less than deep structural deterioration
- Access and working at height — soffit repairs, car park decks, and bridge structures require specialist access platforms
- Cause of deterioration — carbonation, chloride attack, and alkali-silica reaction each demand different repair approaches and materials
- Specification requirements — BS EN 1504 compliance, structural engineer sign-off, and specific product approvals add cost
- Location — London and the South East typically carry a premium of 20–40% over regional rates
- Urgency and programme — emergency or night/weekend working attracts a significant premium
Rule of thumb: For budget planning purposes, allow £100–£200/m² for standard concrete repair work on commercial structures, with significant variation either side depending on the factors above.
Concrete Patch Repair Costs
Patch repair is the most common concrete repair method — removing deteriorated concrete and reinstating with a repair mortar. Costs are influenced by the number of patches, mortar type, and access.
Cementitious Repair Mortar
Standard hand-applied mortar, e.g. Sika MonoTop, Weber Dryfix. Suitable for above-ground structures, depths up to 50mm.
Epoxy Repair Mortar
Two-component epoxy mortars for high-strength, chemical-resistant repairs. Car parks, industrial floors, heavy-traffic areas.
Rapid-Cure Repair Mortar
Cementitious mortars with short return-to-service times (2–4 hours). Higher material cost but reduced programme duration.
Note on small areas: Repairs under 5m² typically attract a minimum call-out or mobilisation charge of £500–£1,500, which can significantly increase the effective per-m² cost for very small patches.
Typical Day Rates
| Resource | Indicative Day Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete repair operative (single) | £350 – £550/day | Labour only, excluding materials and plant |
| 2-person concrete repair team | £700 – £1,200/day | Labour only; typical for most patch repair projects |
| Specialist team with access equipment | £1,200 – £2,500/day | Includes MEWP/cherry picker hire, soffit or elevated work |
| Concrete repair specialist + structural engineer | £1,500 – £3,500/day | For structural repairs requiring engineering oversight |
Carbonation Treatment Costs
Carbonation of concrete leads to corrosion of embedded reinforcement. Treatment typically involves removing carbonated concrete, treating exposed rebar, and applying a protective coating system.
| Treatment Type | Indicative Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-carbonation coating only | £15 – £35/m² | Applied to sound concrete as preventative measure or after repair |
| Rebar treatment (exposed steel) | £20 – £60/rebar location | Zinc-rich primer or corrosion inhibitor applied to exposed reinforcement |
| Patch repair + rebar treatment + coating | £90 – £160/m² | Full carbonation remediation system per BS EN 1504 |
| Electrochemical re-alkalisation | £60 – £120/m² | Specialist technique for large carbonated areas where removal is impractical |
BS EN 1504 compliance: Structural concrete repairs on commercial and public buildings should comply with BS EN 1504 (Principles and Methods for Repair). Specifying compliant products and methods does not necessarily increase cost significantly but requires contractor competence.
Concrete Spalling Repair Costs
Spalling (delamination and loss of concrete cover) is one of the most common repair types. Severity varies from minor surface spalling to deep structural loss.
| Severity | Typical Depth | Indicative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Minor surface spalling | < 10mm | £50 – £90/m² |
| Moderate spalling (to rebar) | 10 – 50mm | £90 – £160/m² |
| Severe / deep spalling | 50 – 100mm+ | £150 – £280/m² |
| Soffit spalling (overhead access) | Any depth | Add 30 – 60% premium for access costs |
Structural Strengthening Costs
Where concrete has lost significant section or load capacity, structural strengthening is required. Methods include carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate bonding, externally bonded laminates, and reinforced shotcrete.
CFRP Plate / Strip Bonding
Carbon fibre strips bonded to tension face of beams and slabs. High performance with minimal depth increase. Often requires structural engineer design.
CFRP Fabric Wrapping
Carbon fibre fabric wrap for column confinement or shear strengthening. Effective for seismic upgrade and load increase.
Reinforced Sprayed Concrete (Shotcrete)
Applied over reinforcement mesh to restore section. Suitable for tunnels, retaining walls, and large-area structural repairs.
Structural engineer involvement is mandatory for any strengthening work. Engineering fees (design, inspections, sign-off) typically add £2,000–£15,000+ depending on project complexity and are not included in the figures above.
Budget Guide by Project Size
These indicative budgets cover supply, application labour, and basic access. They assume straightforward ground-level or easily accessible structures. Add access platform costs, engineering fees, and materials testing separately.
| Project Type | Typical Scope | Indicative Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Small patch repair | 1–5 m² of isolated spalling or crack repair | £1,500 – £5,000 |
| Medium commercial repair | 5–50 m², e.g. car park column bases, retaining wall | £5,000 – £35,000 |
| Large structural repair programme | 50–200 m², e.g. multi-storey car park deck or bridge soffit | £35,000 – £150,000 |
| Major remediation project | 200 m²+, multi-element structure or phased programme | £150,000 – £500,000+ |
These ranges are indicative only. A proper condition survey and specification are essential before budgeting any concrete repair project.
Key Factors Affecting Your Concrete Repair Quote
1. Access and Working Conditions
Access is frequently the dominant cost driver. Soffit repairs, elevated slabs, and restricted-access structures require MEWPs, scaffolding, or rope access — all of which can double or triple the basic repair cost.
2. Extent and Accuracy of the Condition Survey
Quotes based on visual inspection alone often carry large contingencies. A half-cell potential survey, cover meter survey, or carbonation depth mapping gives contractors greater confidence to provide tighter pricing.
3. Specification and Product Selection
BS EN 1504-compliant repair systems from manufacturers like Sika, Fosroc, or Mapei carry higher material costs than generic mortars but deliver better long-term performance and are usually required on managed commercial assets.
4. Programme and Phasing
Repairs requiring works outside normal hours, over weekends, or in phased sections to maintain access (e.g. in occupied car parks or live industrial facilities) will cost more than uninterrupted daytime working.
5. Regional Location
London and South East England typically attract a 20–40% cost premium versus the Midlands and North. Remote or rural locations can also increase costs due to travel and accommodation for specialist teams.
6. Structural Engineer Requirements
On structural repairs — as opposed to cosmetic or protective works — a structural engineer should design the repair, approve the specification, and sign off the completed works. These fees are separate from contractor costs.
Get an Accurate Quote for Your Project
The only way to get a reliable cost for concrete repair is a proper site survey and specification. MPS Concrete Solutions provides free initial assessments for commercial and industrial clients across the UK.
