How to price a job: builders & handymen

Pricing jobs correctly is one of the most important skills for builders and handymen. A good quote protects your profit, avoids misunderstandings and helps clients trust your work. This guide breaks down the pricing process used by experienced UK tradespeople.

Break the job into parts

The easiest and most accurate method is to divide the job into clear sections:

• Labour
• Materials
• Waste removal
• Tools and consumables
• Travel or call-out costs

Labour rates

UK day-rates vary depending on region and experience. Typical values:

• Handyman: £120–£200 per day
• Builder: £180–£300 per day
• Skilled labour (tiling, flooring): £150–£250 per day

Call-out fees

Many trades use a fixed call-out rate for small or urgent tasks:

• £40–£80 for weekday visits
• £80–£150 for emergency evenings/weekends

Materials

Always include:

• cost of materials
• delivery charges
• 10–15% buffer for price changes or waste

Overheads

Overheads include:

• fuel
• insurance
• tool wear
• admin time

Most trades add a small margin (5–15%) to cover this.

Presenting the price to the client

• Use a clear structure: labour, materials, total
• Explain what is included
• State what is not included (optional extras)
• Provide a clean PDF quote

Conclusion

A transparent quote builds trust and prevents disputes. Break everything down, calculate accurately and present the price clearly.