What's a typical hourly rate for UK tradespeople?

In 2026, expect £40–£70/hour for plumbers and electricians, £35–£55/hour for decorators and plasterers, and £180–£280/day for a general builder. London rates sit 20–30% above these bands.

What's a normal call-out fee in the UK?

Standard call-outs run £60–£90 in working hours and £100–£180 out-of-hours. Emergency plumbers and electricians can charge £150–£300+ for nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Do I pay tradespeople by the hour or by the job?

For small jobs under half a day, hourly. For anything over a day or with clear scope (rewire, full bathroom, kitchen fit), always ask for a fixed-price quote with itemised labour and materials.

What certifications should a UK tradesperson have?

Gas Safe for gas work, NICEIC / NAPIT / Stroma for electrics (Part P), Gas Safe / OFTEC for oil, and FMB or TrustMark membership for general building works. Always check the register online before hiring.

How much deposit should I pay a tradesperson?

For jobs under £2,000, avoid paying anything up front beyond materials. For larger projects, 10–30% deposit is reasonable, with staged payments tied to clear milestones and a final 10% retained until snagging is complete.

Trades

Day rates, hourly rates and call-out fees for electricians, plumbers, builders, decorators, plasterers and floor fitters in the UK.

Planning a wider project? Cross-reference bathroom renovation pricing, kitchen renovation pricing and boiler and heating costs on the UK cost reference hub.

Electrician hourly rate in the UK

Typical: £40–£80 · per hour

UK electrician hourly rates: £40–£80 per hour typical. Day rates, call-out fees, EICR and rewire costs broken down by region.

Plumber hourly rate in the UK

Typical: £45–£90 · per hour

UK plumber hourly rates: £45–£90 per hour typical. Day rates, emergency call-outs, leak repair and bathroom fitting costs by region.

Builder day rate in the UK

Typical: £180–£420 · per day

UK builder day rates: £180–£420 per day typical. Bricklayer, labourer, general builder and main contractor rates broken down by region.

Painting and decorating cost in the UK

Typical: £150–£500 · per room

UK painting and decorating costs: £150–£500 per room typical. Day rates, m² pricing, full house repaint, wallpapering and exterior costs.

Emergency plumber cost in the UK

Typical: £150–£500 · typical emergency call-out & fix

UK emergency plumber costs: £80–£200 call-out, £80–£150 per hour. Out-of-hours, weekend and bank holiday rates with hidden costs explained.

Plumber call-out fee in the UK

Typical: £60–£200 · single plumber call-out

UK plumber call-out fees: £60–£120 standard hours, £100–£200 out of hours. Fixed vs hourly call-out, hidden charges and when to pay it.

Electrician call-out fee in the UK

Typical: £60–£200 · single electrician call-out

UK electrician call-out fees: £60–£120 standard hours, £100–£200 out of hours. Fixed vs hourly call-out and typical fault diagnostic costs.

Flooring installation cost in the UK

Typical: £30–£180 · per m² supplied & fitted

UK flooring installation costs: £15–£90 per m² labour, £15–£90 per m² materials. LVT, engineered wood, laminate, carpet and tile breakdown.

Plastering cost per m² in the UK

Typical: £15–£50 · per m² of wall or ceiling

UK plastering costs: £15–£35 per m² typical for skim. Full re-plaster, board & skim, and ceiling rates with hidden costs explained.

Cost of new electrics in a house in the UK

Typical: £1,500–£9,000 · 3-bed house

How much does new electrics cost in a UK house? Partial rewire £1,500–£4,000; full rewire £4,000–£9,000. Sockets, lighting, consumer unit and certification breakdown.

Cost of rewiring a house in the UK

Typical: £2,500–£12,000 · full rewire

UK house rewiring costs: £4,000–£9,000 for a 3-bed house. Full rewire price per m², labour, materials, consumer unit, certification and hidden costs.

Frequently asked questions — Trades

What's a typical hourly rate for UK tradespeople?: In 2026, expect £40–£70/hour for plumbers and electricians, £35–£55/hour for decorators and plasterers, and £180–£280/day for a general builder. London rates sit 20–30% above these bands.
What's a normal call-out fee in the UK?: Standard call-outs run £60–£90 in working hours and £100–£180 out-of-hours. Emergency plumbers and electricians can charge £150–£300+ for nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Do I pay tradespeople by the hour or by the job?: For small jobs under half a day, hourly. For anything over a day or with clear scope (rewire, full bathroom, kitchen fit), always ask for a fixed-price quote with itemised labour and materials.
What certifications should a UK tradesperson have?: Gas Safe for gas work, NICEIC / NAPIT / Stroma for electrics (Part P), Gas Safe / OFTEC for oil, and FMB or TrustMark membership for general building works. Always check the register online before hiring.
How much deposit should I pay a tradesperson?: For jobs under £2,000, avoid paying anything up front beyond materials. For larger projects, 10–30% deposit is reasonable, with staged payments tied to clear milestones and a final 10% retained until snagging is complete.