2026 UK trade hourly rate benchmarks
National averages. London rates are typically 25 to 35% higher. Emergency and out-of-hours rates are usually 50 to 100% above standard.
| Trade |
Low (£/hr) |
Market mid (£/hr) |
High (£/hr) |
Emergency premium |
| Plumber | £40 | £65 | £95 | +50 to 100% |
| Electrician | £45 | £70 | £100 | +40 to 80% |
| Gas Engineer | £55 | £85 | £120 | +50 to 100% |
| Heating Engineer | £50 | £80 | £115 | +50 to 100% |
| Builder / Contractor | £25 | £40 | £65 | N/A |
| Roofer | £35 | £55 | £80 | +30 to 60% |
| Locksmith | £60 | £95 | £150 | +60 to 120% |
| Carpenter / Joiner | £30 | £50 | £75 | N/A |
| Painter and Decorator | £20 | £32 | £50 | N/A |
| Landscaper | £20 | £35 | £55 | N/A |
| Solar Installer | £40 | £65 | £90 | N/A |
| Pest Control | £45 | £70 | £100 | +40 to 80% |
Source: TextBack Pro analysis of published rates from Checkatrade, Rated People, MyBuilder, and direct industry surveys. Data represents standard callout rates during working hours. Regional multipliers: London 1.30x, South East 1.15x, South West 1.00x, Midlands 0.95x, North England 0.90x, Yorkshire 0.92x, Scotland 0.92x, Wales 0.88x.
Why most UK tradespeople undercharge
The most common pricing mistake in the trades is setting a rate based on what a friend charges, what a previous employer paid, or what felt reasonable when starting out, then never revisiting it. Meanwhile, material costs, fuel, insurance, and tool replacement have all risen, and the rate has stayed the same.
The second most common mistake is setting a rate based on fear of losing jobs. A conversion rate above 70% almost always signals undercharging. Customers who say yes to every quote are telling you that you are cheaper than they expected.
£11k
extra annual income from raising your rate by just £10/hr (at 5 hrs/day, 45 weeks)
40%
ideal quote conversion rate: winning more than this usually means your rate is too low
22%
average rate UK tradespeople are below market, according to industry surveys
How to raise your rate without losing customers
Most tradespeople fear that raising their rate will cost them jobs. In practice, a 10 to 15% increase rarely causes churn, for two reasons: most customers do not remember exactly what they paid last time, and the ones who do stay because they value reliability over finding someone cheaper.
- Raise gradually. A 10% increase over two jobs is less visible than a single 20% jump. New customers always get the new rate.
- Package the value. "£70 per hour, includes all call-out costs, no hidden charges" beats a bare £70/hr because it removes the fear of a bigger bill.
- Anchor against the alternatives. A customer who Googles "emergency plumber" and sees quotes from £90 to £150 will find your £75 rate attractive, not expensive.
- Raise your rate and never miss a call. A higher rate earns more per hour. But every missed call at your new rate costs proportionally more. The two work together.
A higher rate means a missed call costs more
At £70/hr, a customer who rings and moves on to a competitor costs you a booked job worth £280 or more. TextBack Pro sends an automatic SMS reply within 30 seconds of every missed call, giving that customer a reason to wait for you.
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How regional rates vary across the UK
London plumbers charge an average of £85 per hour. The same job in Manchester or Leeds might command £55 to £65. This is not just about demand: London tradespeople face higher van insurance, congestion charges, parking fines, and material costs that justify the premium.
If you are based in a regional city and regularly travel to a more expensive area for work, you can and should charge the rate appropriate to where the job is, not where you are based. Most customers expect to pay local rates and will not push back on this.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a plumber charge per hour in the UK in 2026?
The average UK plumber charges between £50 and £90 per hour in 2026, with London rates typically 25 to 35% higher. Emergency callout rates are usually 50 to 100% above standard rates. A plumber with 10 or more years of experience in the South East can reasonably charge £80 to £120 per hour.
How much should an electrician charge per hour in the UK?
UK electricians typically charge between £50 and £100 per hour in 2026. NICEIC and NAPIT-registered electricians at the higher end of experience can charge £90 to £120 per hour in London and the South East. Fault-finding and emergency work attracts a premium of 40 to 80% above standard rates.
Am I charging too little as a tradesperson?
The clearest sign of undercharging is winning almost every job you quote. A healthy conversion rate for most trades is 40 to 60%. If you win more than 70% of quotes, your rate is likely below market. Use this tool to compare your rate against verified 2026 UK benchmarks for your specific trade and region.
Should I charge a higher rate for emergency callouts?
Yes. Emergency callout rates in the UK typically run 50 to 100% above standard hourly rates. For trades like locksmiths, plumbers, and gas engineers who respond to emergencies outside normal hours, a call-out premium of £50 to £100 on top of the hourly rate is standard and expected by customers.
How does my hourly rate affect how much I earn per year?
A tradesperson working 45 billable weeks per year and 5 billable hours per day earns £56,250 at £50 per hour, £78,750 at £70 per hour, and £101,250 at £90 per hour. Raising your rate by £10 per hour adds over £11,000 to your annual gross income. The revenue gap calculator in this tool shows your exact figure.