How Much Does a Builder Charge Per Day in the UK? (2026 Rates)

UK Builder Rates at a Glance (2026)

Region	Hourly Rate	Day Rate
National average	£25–£45/hr	£180–£350/day
London	£38–£65/hr	£280–£480/day
South East	£30–£55/hr	£240–£420/day
Midlands	£22–£40/hr	£175–£320/day
North England	£20–£38/hr	£160–£300/day
Scotland	£22–£40/hr	£170–£310/day
Wales	£20–£36/hr	£160–£285/day

How Much Do Builders Charge for Common Jobs?

What Affects a Builder Rate?

• FMB membership: Federation of Master Builders members are vetted and insured. They typically charge more but offer better protection.
• Project size: Large projects are quoted as a fixed price. Day rate applies for smaller or undefined work.
• Location: London and South East builders charge 30–50% more than the national average.
• Specialist skills: Structural work, heritage restoration, and groundwork command higher rates.
• Materials: Always confirm whether a quote is labour only or supply and fit.

Main Contractor vs Direct Labour: How Builders Price Big Jobs

For any project over around £10,000, you'll encounter two pricing models:

Main contractor — one builder takes responsibility for the whole project: groundwork, brickwork, carpentry, plumbing connections, electrics. They subcontract specialist trades and add a management margin of 10–20%. You have one point of contact and one set of liability. This is what most reputable building companies offer.

Direct labour — you hire each trade separately (groundworker, bricklayer, carpenter, electrician) and coordinate them yourself. It can save 10–15% but requires you to schedule each trade correctly, manage delays, and absorb the cost when one trade's late start pushes another back by a week.

For most homeowners doing their first extension, the main contractor route is worth the premium. For someone with project management experience or time to spare, direct labour can work — but get references from people who've done it that way, not just your bricklayer.

What a Good Builder Quote Should Include

A thorough building quote protects both parties. Before accepting any quote for work over £5,000, check it specifies:

• Scope of works — a written description of exactly what's included, not just a one-line total
• Material specification — what grade of materials, which products. "Brick" is not enough — there's a big difference between common brick and facing brick
• Exclusions — what's not included (typically: architect fees, Building Control, skips, specialist trades)
• Programme — start date, estimated completion, key milestones
• Payment schedule — stage payments tied to milestones, not time. Never pay more than 10–25% upfront
• Variation process — how out-of-scope work is priced and agreed before it's done
• Insurance — public liability and employer's liability certificates

Verbal agreements don't protect you when foundations need redesigning. Get it in writing every time.

How to Find a Reliable Builder

• Federation of Master Builders (FMB) — members are independently inspected. Check at fmb.org.uk before shortlisting
• Ask to see completed work — not photos, actual buildings. A builder who won't show you a finished extension has something to hide
• Three written quotes minimum — for any project over £10,000, three quotes is standard and gives you meaningful comparison
• Check Companies House — see how long the company has traded and whether there are any County Court Judgements (CCJs)
• Never pay the full amount upfront — stage payments on milestones only. Any builder insisting on full payment before starting is a red flag
• Get a contract — for projects over £5,000, use a JCT Minor Works contract or at minimum a signed quote with terms

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does a builder charge per day in the UK?
  UK builders typically charge £180–£350/day nationally. London and South East builders charge £280–£480/day. Day rates vary significantly based on the type of work and experience level.
• Should I pay a builder by the day or get a fixed quote?
  For large defined projects (extensions, conversions), always get a fixed-price quote. Day rate suits smaller or variation work where scope is unclear.
• How much does a single-storey extension cost in the UK?
  A single-storey rear extension typically costs £1,200–£2,000 per square metre including labour and materials. A 20sqm extension therefore costs roughly £25,000–£40,000.
• Do builders charge VAT?
  Only if VAT registered (turnover over £90,000/year). New builds and certain conversions are zero-rated for VAT. Always check your quote carefully.

Related Tools & Local Rates