£32–£59/hr | £180–£360/day

How Much Does a Groundworker Charge in Sheffield? (2025)

Groundworker rates in Sheffield — by hour, by day, and by job type. Sheffield rates are below the national average — one of England's most affordable major cities for trade work — with steady residential demand particularly for renovations.

Groundworker Rates in Sheffield vs the National Average

Rate TypeSheffieldUK National Average
Hourly rate£32–£59/hr£35–£65/hr
Day rate£180–£360/day£200–£400/day

Groundworker rates often include plant hire as an additional cost on top of the day rate. Urban areas face higher disposal and haulage costs for excavated material, which significantly affects project pricing. Ecclesall Road, Nether Edge, and the western suburbs command higher residential rates. The city centre and student areas see consistent demand for HMO conversion and refurbishment work.

Are you a Groundworker in Sheffield? These are market averages — your rate should reflect your actual costs. Use our free groundworker rate calculator to find what you personally need to charge.

How Much Do Groundworkers Charge for Common Jobs in Sheffield?

These figures show Sheffield-adjusted estimates for typical jobs. Prices include labour only unless stated.

Excavation (per day)
£180–£405
Machine and operator
Concrete slab (per m²)
£54–£117
Labour only
Drainage run (per metre)
£27–£63
Labour only
Soakaway installation
£450–£1,350
Including crate system
Footings dig and pour
£720–£2,250
Extension footings
Block and beam floor (per m²)
£36–£72
Supply and lay
Driveway sub-base (per m²)
£18–£41
Compact MOT1
Plant hire (per day)
£135–£270
Mini digger or dumper extra

Why Are Groundworker Rates in Sheffield Different?

Sheffield's housing market has strong renovation demand driven by Victorian and Edwardian terraces across much of the city. Rates are competitive, which means tradespeople need to be efficient on materials and scheduling.

Good to know: Skip hire and material disposal costs are usually additional to the groundworker’s rate. In urban areas, skip permits from the council may be required if the skip goes on the public highway.

Other Cities: Groundworker Rate Comparisons

See how Sheffield groundworker rates compare to other UK cities:

Are you a Groundworker in Sheffield?

Use our free calculator to find the minimum you need to charge — based on your real costs, not city averages.

Calculate My Groundworker Rate ›

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does a groundworker charge per day in Sheffield?
    A groundworker’s day rate in Sheffield is typically £180–£360. Note that plant hire (diggers, dumpers) is often an additional cost on top of this figure.
  • How much does it cost to dig and pour extension footings in Sheffield?
    Extension footings in Sheffield typically cost £720–£2,250 including excavation, concrete, and labour. Soil conditions and the footing depth required by your structural engineer significantly affect this.
  • Is plant hire included in a groundworker’s quote in Sheffield?
    Often not. Many groundworkers quote their day rate separately from plant hire. Always confirm this upfront — a day’s plant hire in Sheffield adds £150–£300+ to the cost.
  • Why do groundworker rates in Sheffield differ from other areas?
    Sheffield's housing market has strong renovation demand driven by Victorian and Edwardian terraces across much of the city. Rates are competitive, which means tradespeople need to be efficient on materials and scheduling.
  • Do I need a skip permit for groundwork in Sheffield?
    If the skip goes on the public highway (pavement or road), yes — you need a permit from Sheffield council. If it stays on private land (your driveway), no permit is needed. Your groundworker can usually advise on this.

Related Rates and Tools