Free Tool
Day Rate Calculator
Work out your ideal day rate and hourly rate based on your income goals, expenses, and working days.
After holidays & sick days
Billable hours on site
How to Set Your Day Rate
Setting the right day rate is one of the most important decisions for any self-employed tradesperson. Charge too little and you won't cover your costs. Charge too much and you'll lose work to competitors.
Step 1: Know Your Costs
List every business expense you have in a year. Common costs for tradespeople include: van payments (£3,000–£6,000), fuel (£2,000–£4,000), insurance (£500–£1,500), tools and equipment (£500–£2,000), and miscellaneous costs like phone, software, and workwear.
Step 2: Set Your Income Target
Decide what you want to take home after tax. Remember, as a sole trader you'll pay income tax and National Insurance on your profits, so your gross revenue needs to be higher than your take-home target.
Step 3: Account for Non-Billable Time
You won't be on a paid job every working day. Time spent quoting, travelling between jobs, doing admin, and marketing is unbillable. Most tradespeople find they bill around 80% of their available days.
Average UK Day Rates by Trade (2024)
| Trade | Day Rate | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | £200–£350 | £30–£50 |
| Electrician | £200–£350 | £30–£50 |
| Carpenter / Joiner | £180–£280 | £25–£40 |
| General Builder | £180–£300 | £25–£45 |
| Painter & Decorator | £150–£250 | £20–£35 |
| Roofer | £200–£350 | £30–£50 |
| Plasterer | £180–£300 | £25–£40 |
| Landscaper | £150–£250 | £20–£35 |
Rates are indicative and vary by region. London and South East rates are typically 20–40% higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my day rate?
Add your target annual income to your yearly business expenses (van, tools, insurance, materials, software, etc.). Divide the total by your available working days per year (typically 220 after holidays and sick days). The result is your minimum day rate.
What is the average day rate for UK tradespeople?
Day rates vary by trade and region. In 2024, typical UK day rates are: Plumber £200–£350, Electrician £200–£350, Carpenter/Joiner £180–£280, General Builder £180–£300, Painter & Decorator £150–£250. London rates are typically 20–40% higher.
How many working days should I plan for?
Most tradespeople work around 220–230 days per year. Start with 260 weekdays, subtract 28 days holiday (statutory minimum), 5–8 sick days, and any training days. Some tradespeople subtract an extra 10–15 days for admin, quoting, and quiet periods.
Should I charge by the hour or by the day?
Day rates work best for larger jobs (full days on site). Hourly rates suit call-outs, small repairs, and emergency work — where you might spend 1–2 hours. Many tradespeople offer both: a day rate for planned work and a higher hourly rate for reactive work.
What expenses should I include in my day rate?
Include all business costs: van (finance, insurance, fuel, maintenance), tools and equipment, public liability insurance, professional memberships, software subscriptions, accountant fees, phone, workwear, and a buffer for quiet months. These all need to be covered by your rates.
Track every job against your targets
Traddie tracks your revenue, expenses, and profitability so you know exactly how your day rate is working out in practice.
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