How Much Do Tradesmen Cost in 2025?
Firstly, do they charge hourly or daily?
Tradesmen tend to charge a daily rate for jobs that will take longer than a few hours to complete.
Every tradesperson offers their own set prices, depending on the types of services offered.
To help you calculate the cost of hiring a tradesperson, take a look at the following cost guide, which includes the plasterer day rate, builder hourly rate and more!
Tradesmen Prices in 2025
The below table sets out the hourly rate for each individual tradesperson. However, costs in London and the South East are often at the higher end of the scale or above - in particular when a specialist is required.
| Tradesperson | Average hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Plumber | £40 - £60 |
| Carpenter | £30 - £45 |
| Painter and Decorator | £30 - £40 |
| Electrician | £40 - £70 |
| Plasterer | £30 - £40 |
| Kitchen Fitter | £18 - £37 |
| Bricklayer | £12 - £20 |
| Labourer | £10 - £40 |
| Scaffolder | £18 - £35 |
| Tiler | £16 - £75 |
| Builder | £35 - £45 |
| Window Cleaner | £8 - £24 |
| Gardener | £12 - £59 |
| Landscaper | £12 - £111 |
| Roofer | £21 - £39 |
| Window Fitter | £17 - £38 |
- How Much Do Tradesmen Cost in 2025?
- What Are the Average Hourly Rates?
- Plumber Hourly Rate
- Carpenter Hourly Rate
- Painter and Decorator Hourly Rate
- Electrician Hourly Rate
- Plasterer Hourly Rate
- Kitchen Fitter Hourly Rate
- Bricklayer Hourly Rate
- Labourer Hourly Rate
- Scaffolder Hourly Rate
- Tiler Hourly Rate
- Builder Hourly Rate
- Window Cleaner Hourly Rate
- Gardener Hourly Rate
- Landscaper Hourly Rate
- Roofer Hourly Rate
- Window Fitter Hourly Rate
- Average Wages for Tradespeople
- FAQs
- Sources
What Are the Average Hourly Rates?
To help you understand the tradesmen hourly rates, take a look at the guide below.
Some tradesmen tend to charge an hourly rate UK standard, which is the preferred option for smaller tasks which may only take an hour or two.
Let's take a dive into the prices then...
Plumber Hourly Rate
Plumber prices for smaller jobs such as installing a new toilet or repairing pipes tend to be around £41 per hour. The standard gas safe engineer hourly rate may cost up to £60 an hour for those working with an established company, while self-employed plumbers may only charge £40 per hour. Day rates for a plumber are usually between £180 and £350 depending on location.
Carpenter Hourly Rate
For furniture and door frame repairs, joiner and carpenter prices are normally charged at an hourly rate of around £30 to £45. The price may lower to £20 an hour for simpler tasks such as fixing kitchen cabinets, while more complex repairs are often more expensive.
Painter and Decorator Hourly Rate
Painters and decorators tend to charge £24 per hour for interior painting and decorating when it comes to one or two rooms in your home. For paint touch-ups on one or more walls, you may only have to pay £15 an hour for a handyman, while a complete room could cost up to £40 per hour.
Electrician Hourly Rate
Electricians usually charge an average hourly rate of £37 to install new lighting and appliances. Some professional electricians will set a price of £60 an hour to replace a circuit breaker or fuse box, while a single light replacement may only cost £40 per hour.
Many electricians will also have a day rate (between £180 to £350 depending on location) which is good to know for larger jobs such as house rewiring.
Plasterer Hourly Rate
The average hourly rate in the UK to cover plastering prices is usually around £15 per hour to re-plaster a whole room. If you only need one or two walls plastering, they may only charge £15 an hour, while a large room that needs plastering can cost up to £25 per hour.
Kitchen Fitter Hourly Rate
Some kitchen fitters may charge an hourly rate of around £18 (labour only) to replace new worktops and to install cabinets. Fixing kitchen cabinets is likely to be less than buying new, while labour fees for installing a new kitchen may vary depending on the size of the job and how many tradesmen are required.
Bricklayer Hourly Rate
For small scale constructions, such as building a wall or outhouse, which may only take a day to complete, bricklayers will charge around £29 per hour. The price, will, of course, vary depending on the company you choose, as sole traders may only charge £16 per hour, while more established businesses may set prices at £29 per hour.
Labourer Hourly Rate
The majority of labourers will charge an hourly rate of £25, which may involve preparing the site by digging or assisting bricklayers. If you hire a labourer through a company, you could be charged anywhere from £10 to £40 an hour depending on the skill of the labourer and the job itself.
Scaffolder Hourly Rate
scaffolding hire is usually assembled in a matter of hours by a professional scaffolder, who charge an hourly rate of around £22. For smaller projects, you can expect to pay around £18 per hour, while more complex constructions which require more scaffolding can cost up to £35 per hour.
Tiler Hourly Rate
Some tilers prefer to be paid by the hour, with tiler prices on average being £26 per hour. The labour cost, will, of course, vary depending on the type of tiles you have, as larger tiles are much easier to install, so tilers may only charge £16 an hour. More intricate smaller tiles are quite difficult to install, you may expect to pay up to an hourly rate of £15.
Builder Hourly Rate
For small building projects, including wall and foundations repairs, you will need the help of a builder who typically charges around £29 per hour. This price may vary depending on the extent of the job, as simple tasks such as repointing may only cost £16 per hour, while laying new foundations could cost up to £42 an hour.
Window Cleaner Hourly Rate
An average hourly window cleaning rate of £11 per hour is reasonable to clean all windows that are easily accessible. The price will depend on your location, as window cleaners in northern areas of the UK may only charge £8 for the hour, while tradesmen in London set a standard rate of £24 an hour.
Gardener Hourly Rate
Gardener prices tend to include regular maintenance at least once a week during the summer months which involves watering plants, weeding and lawn mowing. For these services, they charge an average of £27 per hour. The hourly rate may lower to £12 per hour for smaller gardens, while large unruly gardens may cost £59 an hour.
Landscaper Hourly Rate
Many landscapers prefer to be paid by the hour for jobs such as laying down gravel borders for flowers or installing a water feature. They usually charge around £28 per hour for landscaping and design, although this can range from £12 per hour for small gardens and up to £111 an hour for bigger gardens.
Roofer Hourly Rate
For roof repairs, you should expect to pay around £29 per hour for professional roofers to restore any damaged roof tiles. The hourly rate will depend on the type of roof, as roofers may only charge £21 an hour for a flat roof as it easy to access, while a roof with a high pitch is more dangerous, so repairs could cost up to £39 per hour.
Window Fitter Hourly Rate
Window replacement usually takes around an hour to fit an average-sized window, which would cost around £27. This hourly rate can differ depending on the type of windows you have, for example, a sash window may only cost £17 per hour to fit, while a large skylight window could cost up to £38 an hour, as it is much harder to install.
Average Wages for Tradespeople
The majority of tradespeople are paid a wage rather than a salary, as a salary usually involves a fixed payment which is not applicable to tradesmen who are typically paid per job or by the hour.
To help you understand the yearly wage for different trades, take a look at the following price guide. Please note: London wages for tradespeople are often between 15% and 30% higher than the national UK average, especially for experienced workers.
Tradespeople Wages
The below table sets out the average wage for each following tradesperson.
| Tradesperson | Average wage |
|---|---|
| Plumber | £33,600 - £48,700 |
| Carpenter | £35,000 - £46,200 |
| Painter and Decorator | £28,000 - £34,000 |
| Electrician | £32,000 - £52,000 |
| Plasterer | £25,000 - £27,200 |
| Kitchen Fitter | £26,000 - £38,000 |
| Bricklayer | £27,000 - £34,000 |
| Labourer | £22,500 - £30,400 |
| Scaffolder | £31,000 - £38,400 |
| Tiler | £22,000 - £30,000 |
| Builder | £28,000 - £33,500 |
| Window Cleaner | £18,000 - £28,000 |
| Gardener | £16,000 - £24,000 |
| Landscaper | £20,000 - £32,200 |
| Roofer | £24,000 - £32,000 |
| Window Fitter | £31,000 - £37,000 |
Please note while these are average wages, actual salaries may vary based on the individual company you work for, your experience and location.
Plumber Wage
The average yearly wage a plumber earns is around £41,000, with wages typically ranging from £33,600 for those recently qualified, up to £48,700 for plumbers with more than five years’ experience in the industry.
Carpenter Wage
Professional carpenters should expect an average salary of around £40,000 per year. Carpentry wages can vary depending on experience and skill level, with newly qualified carpenters typically earning around £35,000, while expert carpenters can earn up to £46,200.
Painter and Decorator Wage
Painters and decorators earn an average yearly wage of around £30,000. Those with plenty of experience in both painting and wallpapering can earn up to £34,000 per year, while novice decorators typically start at around £28,000 annually.
Electrician Wage
The average yearly wage for a qualified electrician is around £42,000. Electricians with less consistent work may earn closer to £32,000, while those with steady work for a well-established company can earn up to £52,000.
Plasterer Wage
The average plasterer salary is around £26,000 per year, though this can vary depending on experience and workload. A plasterer with regular work and at least five years’ experience can earn up to £27,200, while someone with less work and experience may earn around £25,000 annually.
Kitchen Fitter Wage
A kitchen fitter’s average wage is typically around £32,000 when working with a local company. Kitchen fitters who work for themselves may earn around £26,000, while tradesmen working for well-known companies can earn up to £38,000.
Bricklayer Wage
Bricklayers are usually paid by the hour and can accumulate around £30,500 per year on average. This will, of course, vary depending on location, as bricklayers in London may earn up to £34,000, while those working in surrounding areas might earn closer to £27,000.
Labourer Wage
Labourers assist tradesmen on construction sites and generally receive a lower annual wage, averaging around £26,450. Labourers new to the job may earn around £22,500, while those with more experience could make up to £30,400 per year.
Scaffolder Wage
Scaffolding is classified as a dangerous job, so scaffolders tend to be paid an average of £34,700 per year. Recently qualified scaffolders may earn around £31,000, while experienced scaffolders could earn up to £38,400.
Tiler Wage
Kitchen and bathroom tilers usually earn around £26,000 to £30,000 per year. Experienced tilers who can fit intricate tiles may earn up to £30,000, while novice tilers tend to earn closer to £22,000 annually.
Builder Wage
The average annual wage a builder can earn is around £30,750. This varies by location, with builders in London potentially earning up to £33,500, while builders in other parts of the UK may earn less at closer to £28,000.
Window Cleaner Wage
Window cleaners tend to make around £23,000. The amount they earn will usually depend on how many houses they work on and where they operate. Those working in countryside settings may earn closer to £18,000 a year due to fewer customers, while window cleaners in urban areas with more clients can earn up to £28,000 per year.
Gardener Wage
The average annual wage for a typical garden is £21,000. A gardener’s income will depend on how many customers they have and where they offer their services, as those working in a city may only earn £16,000 as there are not as many homes with gardens, while gardeners operating in suburban areas could have the potential to get up to £24,000 per year.
Landscaper Wage
A landscaper’s wage is similar to a gardener wage, as it all depends on location. However, the average yearly wage for a landscaper is slightly higher at £23,000, while landscapers in urban areas may earn a touch less at £20,000 or up to £32,000 for large landscaping jobs.
Roofer Wage
The majority of roofers earn around £32,000 per year. A roofer’s revenue will depend on the type of roofing they specialise in, for example, if they tend to work on more flat roofs then they may earn £25,000, as these are much easier to install, while large-scale pitched roof projects can help them earn up to £36,000.
Window Fitter Wage
Window fitters can earn a good wage, as many are paid by the hour or per window. The average yearly wage for a window fitter is around £34,000. Self-employed window fitters may earn closer to £31,000, while those working for a well-established company can earn up to £37,000 per year.
FAQs
Q: How do tradespeople work out their daily rate?
A: The majority for tradesman will charge a day rate for about 6 or more hours of work within one day. They may also factor in the cost of materials, along with the difficulty of the job and whether there is any risk.
Q:How do I choose the right tradesman?
A: Before hiring a tradesperson, you need to ensure that they have the right qualifications, which may include an official diploma or on-the-job training. You should also check that they have at least three years’ experience or more if the job is more complex. You can also ask for evidence of previous experience in the form of reviews or images.
Q: Should a tradesman’s work be guaranteed?
A: The majority of tradespeople will offer a guarantee for their work, which should be stated in a written contract. The time period of the guarantee will depend on the type of work completed, for example, a builder’s guarantee should last up to 10 years, while a kitchen fitter may offer a 5-year guarantee.
Q: What type of insurance should a tradesperson have?
A: Most reputable tradespeople have public liability insurance to protect clients and homeowners in case of accidental damage or injury. Employer’s liability insurance is legally required if they employ staff. This will cover a number of costs including legal, injury, loss of earnings and more.
Q: Do I need to hire a qualified tradesman?
A: While some jobs can be completed on a DIY basis, you should only carry them out if you have the necessary skills and experience. Roofing and scaffolding work should be left to professionals, as these tasks are often dangerous and complex. Electrical work in the home must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations.
Q: What if I only need to change a light bulb?
Some minor electrical tasks, such as changing a light bulb, replacing a light switch or replacing ceiling light fittings, can usually be done without hiring an expert. However, more complex or high-risk work or involving connecting a new circuit should be carried out by a registered electrician.
Sources
- https://www.realhomes.com/advice/know-your-rights-buying-a-kitchen/
- https://www.thebalancesmb.com/types-of-windows-844567/
- https://studentscholarships.org/salary/407/electricians.php/
- https://www.experteasy.com.au/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-gardener-and-a-landscaper/
- https://neuvoo.co.uk/salary/?job=Scaffolding/
- https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Tiler/Hourly_Rate/
- https://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/average-electrician-salary/
- https://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/average-builder-salary/
- https://careersmart.org.uk/occupations/window-cleaners/
- https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Kitchen_%26_Bath_Fitter/Hourly_Rate/
