Ballast top-up and tamping: cost per m in Nigeria
Net unit rate in Abuja, excluding overheads, profit and VAT
₦15,274per m
Tender rate about ₦20,387 per m with overheads, contingency, profit and VAT.
Price a BoQ with this rateAs at 15 October 2026, the net unit rate for ballast top-up and tamping is ₦15,274 per m in Abuja: ₦9,240 materials, ₦590 labour and ₦5,444 plant. With overheads (7.5%), contingency (5%), profit (10%) and VAT (7.5%) the tender rate is about ₦20,387 per m.
Rate build-up (Abuja, Oct 2026)
| Resource type | Resource | Quantity per unit | Waste | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Track ballast 25-50mm crushed granite, delivered, per tonne | 0.4 tonne | 5% | ₦22,000 | ₦9,240 |
| Plant (days) | Ballast tamping machine | 0.00125 day | - | ₦4,355,550 | ₦5,444 |
| Labour (hours) | Rail track worker | 0.3 h | - | ₦1,965 | ₦590 |
| Materials | ₦9,240 | ||||
| Labour | ₦590 | ||||
| Plant | ₦5,444 | ||||
| Net unit rate per m | ₦15,274 |
Rate by location
Materials, labour and plant are adjusted separately with Buildocrat's location factors.
| Location | Net rate per m | Tender rate incl. OH&P and VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Abuja (FCT) | ₦15,274 | ₦20,387 |
| Lagos | ₦16,148 | ₦21,553 |
| Port Harcourt | ₦16,419 | ₦21,915 |
| Ibadan | ₦14,422 | ₦19,249 |
| Osogbo (Osun) | ₦14,594 | ₦19,479 |
| Kano | ₦14,208 | ₦18,963 |
| Kaduna | ₦14,318 | ₦19,110 |
| Enugu | ₦14,862 | ₦19,837 |
| Benin City | ₦15,075 | ₦20,122 |
| Uyo | ₦15,626 | ₦20,857 |
| Jos | ₦14,519 | ₦19,379 |
| Riverine / creek site | ₦20,283 | ₦27,072 |
Related railways rates
- L01 Standard-gauge track UIC60 on concrete sleepers (600mm c/c) incl. ballast, sub-ballast, fastenings and welds₦607,890 per m
- L02 Aluminothermic rail weld₦423,806 per unit
- L03 Turnout 1:12 UIC60 installed incl. ballast and tamping₦250,358,680 per unit
- L05 Friction buffer stop installed₦17,201,860 per unit
Frequently asked questions
How much does ballast top-up and tamping cost per m in Nigeria?
About ₦15,274 per m net in Abuja as at 15 October 2026, or about ₦20,387 per m as a tender rate including overheads, contingency, profit and VAT (Buildocrat Nigeria Construction Rate Book).
What is the rate in Lagos?
Applying Buildocrat's Lagos location factors, the net rate is about ₦16,148 per m and the tender rate about ₦21,553 per m.
What does the rate include?
Materials (Track ballast 25-50mm crushed granite) with waste allowances; labour (Rail track worker) at all-in rates including feeding, transport, idle time and statutory costs; and plant (Ballast tamping machine) including fuel and operator. Overheads, profit and VAT are excluded from the net rate.
How to cite: Buildocrat, Nigeria Construction Rate Book, https://rates.buildocrat.store/rates/l04-ballast-top-up-and-tamping/, prices as at 15 October 2026.