Builder Day Rates UK 2026: What Builders Charge Per Day
By Future Momentum Systems · Updated September 2026
Builder day rates in the UK vary widely by region and role. In 2026, a skilled self-employed builder typically charges around £200–£380 a day outside London and £350–£600 in London, while general labourers usually charge £120–£180 a day.
Skilled builder day rates by region (2026)
| Region | Day rate | Indicative hourly |
|---|---|---|
| London | £350–£600 | £48–£82 |
| South East | £280–£500 | £38–£68 |
| Midlands | £220–£380 | £30–£52 |
| North West | £200–£360 | £27–£49 |
| Yorkshire | £180–£320 | £24–£43 |
| Scotland | £210–£370 | £29–£50 |
| Wales | £170–£300 | £23–£41 |
Source: Trade2Base, 2026. Skilled, self-employed builders on residential and light commercial work.
Day rates by role
| Role | Typical day rate |
|---|---|
| Labourer | £120–£180 |
| Bricklayer | £200–£300 |
| Plasterer | £200–£280 |
| Joiner / carpenter | £220–£350 |
| General builder / site manager | £250–£400 |
| Main contractor (project management) | £350–£500+ |
Source: Trade2Base, 2026. London and the South East attract a 20–30% premium.
Why builder day rates vary so much
Published figures range widely because "builder" covers everything from a labourer to a main contractor running a whole project. Book A Builder UK, for example, puts a general builder at £180–£250 a day nationally and £220–£320 in London and the South East — lower than some other guides — so always compare like with like.
What affects a builder's day rate?
- Location
- Role and skill level
- Qualifications and CSCS card
- Domestic vs commercial work
- Whether materials, travel and waste are included
For builders: the hidden cost of a missed call
A single missed enquiry could be an extension or a loft conversion worth thousands. But you can't take calls from the top of a scaffold or with a mixer running. Most callers won't leave a voicemail — they ring the next builder on Google.
That's why more trades businesses use a call answering service that picks up every call, takes the job details and texts them straight to you. See how FMMS answers calls for trades →
Need a website that wins more jobs? See our websites for trades →
Builder day rate FAQs
Sources
Figures are published averages as of September 2026 and are for guidance only.