Plumber day rates, UK 2026
Typical UK range
£300–£480
per day, ex VAT
≈ £38–£60/hour · reviewed July 2026
What moves the rate
- 01Emergency and out-of-hours call-outs, which command a significant premium over planned work
- 02Full bathroom installations versus repair and maintenance days
- 03Parts and materials markup policy — some price trade supply into the rate, some bill it separately
- 04Water Regulations (WRAS) compliance on supply work
Plumbers' day rates sit at the top end of the trades because so much of the work is reactive — a burst pipe can't wait for a cheaper quote. Established plumbers with good reviews routinely turn work away, which is what holds the range up.
Plumber rates by region
| Region | Day rate | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London | £405–£650 | £51–£81 | Detail → |
| South East England | £345–£550 | £43–£69 | Detail → |
| East of England | £315–£505 | £39–£63 | Detail → |
| South West England | £300–£480 | £38–£60 | Detail → |
| Scotland | £290–£465 | £36–£58 | Detail → |
| West Midlands | £290–£460 | £36–£58 | Detail → |
| North West England | £280–£450 | £35–£56 | Detail → |
| East Midlands | £275–£440 | £34–£55 | Detail → |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £270–£430 | £34–£54 | Detail → |
| Wales | £265–£425 | £33–£53 | Detail → |
| North East England | £255–£410 | £32–£51 | Detail → |
| Northern Ireland | £245–£395 | £31–£49 | Detail → |
Is your rate right?
A benchmark tells you what the market pays. It doesn't tell you what you need — that depends on your overheads, your tax pot and how many days you really bill. Two minutes in the calculator settles it.
Plumber day rates — FAQs
- How much does a plumber charge per day in the UK?
- Typically £300–£480 a day, ex VAT, for standard domestic work. London runs roughly a third higher and the lowest-cost regions around 15% below — see the regional breakdown above.
- What affects what a plumber charges?
- Experience and reputation, your region, how complex or specialist the work is, whether it's an emergency, and the overheads a plumber carries (insurance, van, tools, certification). Plumbers' day rates sit at the top end of the trades because so much of the work is reactive — a burst pipe can't wait for a cheaper quote. Established plumbers with good reviews routinely turn work away, which is what holds the range up.
- Do plumbers charge VAT?
- Only if VAT-registered — mandatory once turnover passes £90,000 a year — in which case 20% is added on top. Plenty of sole traders are below the threshold and don't charge it, so check before you agree a price.
- Should I get more than one quote?
- Yes — two or three quotes give you a fair benchmark and make an outlier obvious. A written quote is legally binding in the UK, so a fair one shouldn't move unless you change the scope of the work.
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Indicative ranges compiled from public cost guides, reviewed July 2026. Ex VAT. A guide, not a quote.