What Is the Average Hourly Cost for a Tradesperson in 2026?

If you're planning home improvements this year, one of the first questions is always the same: what will it actually cost per hour? Trade rates across the UK have continued to climb through 2026, driven by ongoing skills shortages, rising material and fuel costs, and increased demand for qualified professionals. Below, we break down the average hourly rates for seven of the most commonly hired trades, so you can budget with confidence before getting quotes.

Gardener

Gardeners typically charge between £20 and £30 an hour, though this can dip to around £15 for basic lawn mowing and rise to £45–£60 an hour for landscaping, design work, or larger, overgrown gardens. Regular weekly or fortnightly maintenance contracts are usually cheaper per hour than one-off callouts.

Plumber

Plumbers remain one of the pricier trades to hire, with hourly rates of £40 to £70 being typical across the UK in 2026, and London rates often reaching £65–£100. Most plumbers also add a call-out fee of £50–£80 on top for smaller jobs, and many prefer fixed-price quotes for larger installations such as full bathroom fits.

Builder

General builders charge £25 to £40 an hour on average, equivalent to a day rate of roughly £200–£320 outside London. Rates depend heavily on the scale and complexity of the job, with experienced builders who offer project management on larger renovations commanding the top end of the range.

Electrician

Electricians are among the highest-paid trades due to mandatory Part P certification and the safety-critical nature of their work. Expect to pay £45 to £85 an hour, with jobs involving a consumer unit or full rewire pushing costs higher still, particularly in London and the South East.

Decorator

Painters and decorators sit at the more affordable end of the market, with hourly rates typically ranging from £20 to £30. Many decorators prefer to quote a day rate or a fixed price per room rather than billing purely by the hour, especially for larger redecoration projects.

Carpenter

Carpenters and joiners charge an average of £25 to £45 an hour, with London-based tradespeople typically at the top of that range and regional rates elsewhere often £22–£30. Bespoke or structural carpentry work is usually priced by the day or the job rather than the hour.

Gas Engineer

Gas Safe registered engineers charge among the highest hourly rates of any trade, generally £45 to £75, reflecting the cost of certification, insurance, and the specialist risk involved in gas work. Boiler installations and servicing are often priced as fixed jobs rather than by the hour.

Getting the Best Value

Hourly rates are only part of the picture. Location, experience, certification, and the complexity of the job all influence the final price, and London rates typically run 20–35% above the rest of the UK. The best way to make sure you're paying a fair price is to compare multiple quotes from vetted, qualified tradespeople before committing to any work.