UK Plumber Rates by Region (2026)
These figures represent typical self-employed plumber rates for standard plumbing and heating work during normal business hours. Rates vary within each region depending on local competition, your reputation, and the nature of the work.
| Region | Hourly rate | Day rate | Callout |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £70–£120 | £500–£850 | £80–£150 |
| South East (excl. London) | £60–£95 | £420–£650 | £70–£120 |
| South West | £55–£85 | £380–£580 | £65–£110 |
| Midlands | £50–£80 | £350–£540 | £60–£100 |
| North West | £45–£75 | £320–£500 | £55–£95 |
| North East & Yorkshire | £42–£70 | £300–£480 | £50–£90 |
| Scotland | £45–£75 | £320–£510 | £55–£95 |
| Wales | £42–£70 | £295–£470 | £50–£90 |
Emergency and out-of-hours rates are typically 50–100% higher than the standard rates above. See our dedicated guide on how to charge a callout fee as a UK plumber.
Specialist Rates: Gas, Heat Pumps, Commercial
Gas Safe certified plumber
£65–£130/hr depending on regionGas work commands a significant premium over general plumbing. Your Gas Safe certification is a business asset — price accordingly.
Heat pump installation
£80–£140/hrRenewable heating specialists are in high demand in 2026. Plumbers certified for air or ground source heat pumps can command premium rates.
Commercial plumbing
£70–£120/hrCommercial work (offices, retail, hospitality) typically pays more than domestic but involves more paperwork, compliance, and often CIS.
Bathroom fitting (full install)
£300–£600/day supply and fitFull bathroom installations are typically quoted by job or by day. Many bathroom plumbers include a materials markup of 20–30%.
Boiler installation
£300–£600 labour (boiler supplied separately or included)Boiler installations are usually priced as a fixed job. Labour-only rates for installation range from £300–£600 depending on complexity and region.
How to Calculate Your Minimum Viable Rate
The biggest pricing mistake self-employed plumbers make is setting their rate based on what they think customers will pay, rather than what they need to earn to make the business viable. Start from your numbers, not the market.
Example calculation — South East plumber
This is the minimum — not the target. Add a 25% profit margin to get to a sustainable rate of £49/hr, and benchmark against regional norms (£60–£95/hr South East). At £65/hr you are above minimum, competitive, and building a healthy business.
Notice that 200 billable days is less than it sounds. 52 weeks × 5 days = 260 working days, minus 28 days holiday, minus 10 sick/training days, minus 22 days of travel, quoting, admin, and unbillable time = approximately 200 chargeable days. Many plumbers overestimate their billable time and underprice as a result.
Labour Only vs Supply and Fit
Most self-employed plumbers do supply-and-fit work — you source the parts and charge the customer for them plus your labour. This is usually more profitable than labour-only because:
- You earn a materials markup (typically 15–30% above trade price)
- You control the quality of parts used — protecting your reputation and warranty
- You save the customer time (they don't have to source parts themselves)
- Margins on materials are not subject to National Insurance
On labour-only work, most plumbers increase their hourly rate by 15–25% to compensate. If you are quoting labour-only (e.g. customer has already purchased the boiler), ensure your rate reflects the full cost of your time.
How to Invoice Your Labour Rate Clearly
Transparency in pricing reduces disputes. Always show labour and materials as separate line items — never bundle them into a single total. For day-rate work, specify the rate and number of days clearly:
TraderInvoice handles this structure naturally. Speak your job in plain English — days worked, rate, parts used — and the invoice formats automatically. No templates, no typing.
Invoice your rate, every time, before you leave
Speak your labour hours and materials into TraderInvoice on your phone. Professional PDF, sent before you drive away. Free for 5 invoices/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average plumber hourly rate in the UK in 2026?
- The average self-employed plumber in the UK charges between £45 and £80 per hour in 2026, with a national average of around £55–£65/hour. London and the South East typically command £70–£120/hour. Northern England, Wales, and Scotland tend to be in the £40–£65/hour range. Specialist work (gas, heat pump installation, commercial plumbing) commands a premium over general maintenance.
What is a typical plumber day rate in the UK?
- Typical UK plumber day rates in 2026 range from £250–£500+ per day, depending on region and specialism. A day rate generally covers 7–8 hours of labour. In London, day rates of £500–£800 are common for specialist plumbers. Many plumbers prefer to quote by job rather than by day to avoid ambiguity about what a 'day' means.
Should a self-employed plumber charge labour only or supply and fit?
- Most self-employed plumbers charge on a supply-and-fit basis — you supply the parts and charge for them plus labour. This is more profitable than labour-only work because you earn a reasonable margin on materials. Labour-only rates are typically 15–25% higher than supply-and-fit rates to compensate for not being able to mark up materials. For some specialist jobs (e.g. boiler installations where the customer supplies the boiler), labour-only rates are standard.
How do I calculate my minimum viable rate as a self-employed plumber?
- Start with your target annual take-home pay. Add your fixed annual business costs (van, insurance, Gas Safe registration, tools, accountant, invoicing software). Divide by the number of billable days you can realistically work per year — typically 180–220 days for a full-time plumber after holidays, sick days, travel, and unpaid admin time. Then add a profit margin of 20–30%. This gives you the minimum daily rate you need to charge.