If you’re a contractor or tradesperson, staying informed about current pricing trends isn’t just useful—it’s essential. With market conditions shifting across the UK, knowing the going rates for your trade helps you price competitively, justify increases, and understand where you stand regionally.
This updated 2025 guide includes day and hourly rates for major UK trades, a regional breakdown, and key year-on-year (YoY) changes so you can compare against 2024.
Want to check how these rates affect your next job? Use our building estimator service to get fast, realistic estimates based on current 2025 data.
Contents
- Overview: Trade Pricing in 2025
- Regional Differences in Contractor Rates
- 2025 Average Rates by Trade
- Year-on-Year Rate Changes (2024 vs 2025)
- Trades With the Biggest Increases
- Trades With the Largest Drops
- Top 5 Highest Earning Trades in 2025
- What’s Driving These Changes?
- Summary
- FAQs
Overview: Trade Pricing in 2025
From materials inflation to regional labour shortages, pricing continues to shift across the industry. While some trades saw modest increases, others faced sharp declines—especially in areas where competition has intensified.
Use this data to benchmark your pricing, adjust for inflation, and plan ahead for the months to come.
Regional Differences in Contractor Rates
Trade rates still vary significantly depending on geography:
- Greater London: Highest overall, with rates 15–25% above the national average
- South East & South West: Stable mid-high rates with consistent demand
- Wales & North East: Lower average rates across most trades
- Scotland & Midlands: Moderate, with pockets of growth
2025 Average Rates by Trade (UK-Wide)
| Trade | Avg Hourly Rate | Avg Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bricklayer | £23 | £181 |
| Carpenter | £24 | £194 |
| Electrician | £29 | £235 |
| Plumber | £26 | £205 |
| Decorator | £21 | £165 |
| Plasterer | £22 | £177 |
| Labourer | £17 | £134 |
| General Builder | £22 | £175 |
| Foreman | £34 | £275 |
| Gas Safe Engineer | £35 | £281 |
Note: Rounded figures. Regional and experience-based variation applies.
Year-on-Year Change in Day Rates (2024 → 2025)
Here’s how rates have shifted from last year across the most common trades:
| Trade | 2024 Avg Day Rate | 2025 Avg Day Rate | YoY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricklayer | £180.56 | £181.00 | +0.2% |
| Carpenter | £194.30 | £194.30 | 0.0% |
| Electrician | £231.18 | £235.00 | +1.7% |
| Plumber | £204.53 | £205.00 | +0.2% |
| Decorator | £164.94 | £165.00 | 0.0% |
| Plasterer | £176.95 | £177.00 | 0.0% |
| Labourer | £134.11 | £134.00 | -0.1% |
| General Builder | £174.89 | £175.00 | +0.1% |
| Foreman | £275.17 | £275.00 | -0.1% |
| Gas Safe Engineer | £280.57 | £281.00 | +0.2% |
Trades With the Biggest Increases
- Bricklayers in East Anglia: +5.9%
- Gas Engineers in Northern Ireland: +5.6%
- Electricians in South East: +2.0%
Inflation and strong demand in infrastructure and energy upgrades have helped push these rates higher.
Trades With the Largest Drops
- General Builders (North East): -18.1%
- Plumbers (North East): -13.5%
- Carpenters (Wales): -10.9%
Downward trends in these regions may reflect increased competition, slowed housing growth or pricing pressure from clients.
Top 5 Highest Earning Trades in 2025
- Gas Safe Engineer: £281/day
- Foreman: £275/day
- Electrician: £235/day
- Plumber: £205/day
- Carpenter: £194/day
Trades with certifications, risk management responsibilities, and specialist skills continue to command premium rates.
What’s Driving These Changes?
- Inflation & supply costs: Materials, fuel and insurance costs have kept upward pressure on rates
- Skilled labour shortages: Especially in gas, electrical and supervisory roles
- Post-Brexit workforce changes: Reduced EU labour pool has tightened supply in certain areas
- Regional demand cycles: Urban regeneration projects and infrastructure investments drive rate surges in select areas
Summary
For tradespeople, 2025 presents a complex but opportunity-filled market. Rates are generally holding steady or rising slightly—especially in skilled trades—while others may face localised price drops.
Use this guide to benchmark your pricing, adjust for inflation, and position yourself competitively. Staying informed helps protect your earnings while delivering value to your clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the listed day rates gross or net?
These figures represent gross rates. That means they don’t account for any deductions like income tax, National Insurance, CIS, business insurance, fuel, tool maintenance, or other overheads. As a self-employed contractor, your take-home will depend on your business structure and expenses. Always factor those in when setting your day rate.
How should I adjust my rates based on where I work?
Location still plays a massive role in pricing. In areas like Greater London, Surrey, and parts of the South East, demand and cost of living push rates up—so you can typically charge 15% to 25% more than the national average. On the flip side, rural regions and lower-demand areas (like parts of the North East, Wales, or Cornwall) may require rates around 5%–10% lower to stay competitive.
What should I charge if I’m new to the trade?
If you’re just starting out or recently qualified, a good rule of thumb is to set your rates 10–15% below the local average. This helps you stay competitive while building your reputation. As you gain experience, accreditations, and word-of-mouth referrals, you can gradually raise your prices in line with your market value.
Are these rates suitable for subcontractors and sole traders?
Yes, these rates are geared toward self-employed professionals—whether you’re working solo, subcontracting under a main contractor, or pricing up direct jobs for clients. If you’re operating as a limited company, you may factor in different tax efficiencies, but the base labour rate benchmarks still apply across the board.
Do these labour rates include the cost of materials?
No, all rates shown in this guide are for labour only. Material costs should be quoted separately or itemised as part of a full project estimate. If you’re supplying materials yourself, it’s standard to apply a markup—usually between 10–20%—to cover sourcing time and credit risk.
Which qualifications or cards make the biggest difference in rates?
Specialist accreditations have a direct impact on your earning potential. Key ones include:
- Gas Safe: Mandatory for any work involving gas appliances or pipework
- NICEIC/Electrical Competent Person Scheme: Important for electricians working under Part P
- NVQ Level 2 or 3: For recognition on major sites and higher pay brackets
- CSCS card (blue or gold): Often required on commercial and larger residential sites
- SMSTS or SSSTS: Essential if you’re in a supervisory role or managing other trades
What’s the best way to raise my rates without losing work?
Raising your rate fairly is all about timing, transparency, and value. Here’s how:
- Review your costs: Fuel, insurance, tools, and inflation may have crept up
- Add qualifications: Training and accreditations can justify a higher rate
- Show reliability: Builders who turn up, communicate well, and finish the job earn trust—and better rates
- Give notice: If you’re working with repeat clients or contractors, a heads-up on rate increases shows professionalism
Where can I find more detailed rates by region or trade?
You can access a full regional breakdown by trade through our internal contractor dashboard (or request the latest version via our support team). You can also check in with your local FMB, NFRC, or electrical/gas trade body for area-specific benchmarking if you’re working across multiple regions.
Should I use hourly rates or day rates when quoting?
It depends on the job type. For smaller tasks or callouts, hourly rates offer more flexibility and transparency. For longer jobs—especially multi-day projects—a fixed day rate tends to work better for both parties. Day rates also reduce admin time and avoid disputes about breaks or clock-watching. Always clarify which you’re using upfront with the client or contractor.
What’s a fair mark-up to add if I’m supplying materials?
Most tradespeople apply a 10%–20% markup on materials to cover collection, credit, logistics, and storage. The exact figure depends on how much admin or risk is involved. Be upfront in your quote—clients generally understand that sourcing comes at a cost.