How Much Should You Pay a UK Tradesperson?
Knowing the going rate is the single best protection against overpaying. These guides give honest, typical 2026 UK price ranges for 12 trades — hourly rates, day rates, and common jobs — plus what moves the price and how to hire well.
Updated June 2026 · Typical UK ranges
How much does a plumber cost?
£40–£80 per hour
A plumber in the UK typically charges £40–£80 per hour, or £200–£350 for a full day, with emergency call-outs from £80–£150.
How much does a electrician cost?
£40–£90 per hour
A registered electrician in the UK typically charges £40–£90 per hour, or £250–£400 for a full day, with emergency call-outs from £80–£150.
How much does a cleaner cost?
£15–£25 per hour
A domestic cleaner in the UK typically charges £15–£20 per hour, rising to £18–£25 per hour in London and the South East.
How much does a handyman cost?
£30–£60 per hour
A handyman in the UK typically charges £30–£60 per hour, or £150–£280 for a full day, with a minimum call-out fee of £40–£80.
How much does a boiler engineer cost?
£50–£100 per hour
A Gas Safe registered boiler engineer in the UK typically charges £50–£100 per hour, with an annual boiler service costing £70–£120.
How much does a gardener cost?
£25–£50 per hour
A gardener in the UK typically charges £25–£50 per hour, or £150–£250 for a full day for maintenance and landscaping work.
How much does a painter and decorator cost?
£150–£250 per day
A painter and decorator in the UK typically charges £150–£250 per day, or by the room — around £200–£500 to paint an average bedroom including materials.
How much does a carpenter cost?
£150–£300 per day
A carpenter or joiner in the UK typically charges £150–£300 per day, or £30–£60 per hour for smaller jobs like fitting doors or skirting.
How much does a locksmith cost?
£60–£120 per hour
A locksmith in the UK typically charges £60–£120 per hour, with an emergency lockout call-out costing £70–£150 plus any parts.
How much does a pest controller cost?
£80–£200 per treatment
A pest controller in the UK typically charges £80–£200 per treatment, with a multi-visit course for mice or wasps costing £100–£300.
How much does a drainage specialist cost?
£70–£150 per job
A drainage specialist in the UK typically charges £70–£150 to clear a blocked drain, rising to £300+ for jetting, CCTV surveys, or excavation.
How much does a plasterer cost?
£150–£250 per day
A plasterer in the UK typically charges £150–£250 per day, or roughly £250–£500 to skim and finish a single average-sized room.
Hiring & comparison guides
- Plumber vs Handyman: Which Do You Need (and Save Money)?
- Electrician vs Handyman: What a Handyman Can (and Cannot) Do
- How to Hire a Plumber: A Step-by-Step UK Guide
- How to Hire an Electrician: A Step-by-Step UK Guide
- How to Hire a Cleaner: A Step-by-Step UK Guide
- How to Hire a Handyman: A Step-by-Step UK Guide
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How we work out these figures
Figures are typical 2026 UK price ranges, not a single measured GeraHome price. They are compiled from publicly published UK tradesperson rate surveys and standard hourly/day-rate conventions, then expressed as a low–to–high band because real quotes vary with region, job complexity, access, materials, time of day, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. London and the South East typically run 20–40% above the national average; the North, Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland typically sit below it. Always get an upfront, itemised quote before work begins.