Carpenter & joiner day rates in London
Greater London · 2026
£295–£515
per day, ex VAT
£37–£64
per hour
+35%
vs UK average
A carpenter working in London typically charges £295–£515 a day (£37–£64 an hour), ex VAT — 35% above the UK average of £300 a day. London rates run 30–40% above the national picture. Higher living costs, congestion charging, ULEZ and parking all get passed into quotes, and competition from commercial and high-end residential work pulls experienced trades away from small domestic jobs.
Second-fix and finishing carpentry is where reputations are made, and carpenters known for clean finishing charge accordingly. Bespoke items — fitted wardrobes, alcove units, staircases — are quoted per piece rather than per day.
What moves a carpenter's rate
- 01First fix (structural, studwork, joists) versus second fix (doors, skirting, finishing)
- 02Bespoke workshop joinery, which is priced per piece and carries a clear premium
- 03Site carpentry on new-builds versus one-off domestic work
- 04Own workshop and machinery overheads
London vs everywhere else
| London | £295–£515 |
| South East | £255–£435 |
| East of England | £230–£400 |
| South West | £220–£380 |
| Scotland | £215–£370 |
| West Midlands | £210–£365 |
| North West | £205–£355 |
| East Midlands | £200–£350 |
| Yorkshire | £200–£340 |
| Wales | £195–£340 |
| North East | £185–£325 |
| Northern Ireland | £180–£310 |
Charging £405? Prove it's enough.
The market range is the market's number. Yours depends on your overheads, your tax pot and how many days you actually bill. Run it through the calculator, then send the quote while the number's fresh.
Other trades in London
Run a trade site or blog? Embed this live rate widget on your pages — free.
Indicative ranges compiled from public cost guides, reviewed July 2026. Ex VAT. A guide, not a quote, and not financial advice.