Handyman work covers more ground than almost any other trade — flat-pack furniture one day, a fence repair the next. That variety makes pricing trickier, but here's what UK handymen are actually charging in 2026.
Quick Answer: UK handyman day rates in 2026 typically run £120-£180 outside London and £180-£260 in London. Hourly rates run £20-£30 outside London and £30-£45 in London, usually with a 1-2 hour minimum call-out.
Handyman Day Rate by Region — UK 2026
| Region | Day Rate | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £180-£260 | £30-£45 |
| South East | £150-£220 | £25-£38 |
| Midlands | £130-£190 | £20-£30 |
| North | £120-£175 | £18-£28 |
| Scotland & Wales | £120-£175 | £18-£28 |
Common Job Prices
| Job | Typical Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-pack furniture assembly | £40-£80 | 1-2 hours |
| Shelving/TV mounting | £50-£100 | 1-2 hours |
| Door/lock repair | £60-£120 | 1-2 hours |
| Fence panel repair | £80-£180 | Half day |
| Small painting/touch-up jobs | £100-£200 | 1 day |
| Multi-job "list" day | £120-£180 | Full day |
How to Calculate Your Day Rate
- Target take-home: What do you want to earn after tax? E.g. £22,000
- Add tax & NI: Roughly 25%. £22,000 + 25% = £27,500
- Add business costs: Van, tools, insurance, advertising. Roughly £3,500-£6,000/year. Total: £32,500
- Divide by working days: Roughly 220 days a year. £32,500 / 220 ≈ £148/day minimum
- Add profit margin: 15-20%. £148 x 1.15 ≈ £170/day
Try our free rate calculator to run your own numbers, then turn the result into a sendable quote with TradeQuoteAI's quoting software.
What a Handyman Shouldn't Price (or Take On)
Handyman work sits outside the regulated trades, which is part of its appeal to customers — but that boundary matters for pricing and liability too. Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and notifiable electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms falls under Part P building regulations. Quoting or attempting either without the right certification is a liability risk, not a job to price at a handyman rate.
Multi-Job Days: The Handyman's Best Pricing Tool
Many handyman customers have a "list" rather than one job — hang a shelf, fix a fence, bleed a radiator. Pricing a full day for a list of small jobs is usually more profitable than quoting each individually, since setup and travel are covered once. State clearly what's included in the day and what counts as a separate visit if the list runs over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a handyman charge per day in the UK?
UK handymen typically charge £120-£180 per day outside London in 2026, rising to £180-£260 in London.
What jobs can a handyman legally do?
General maintenance, flat-pack assembly, minor repairs, shelving, painting touch-ups, and small carpentry. Gas work and notifiable electrical work require specific certification a general handyman won't hold.
Should a handyman charge hourly or a minimum call-out fee?
Most charge hourly with a 1-2 hour minimum call-out. Larger jobs spanning a full day are better quoted as a day rate.
Related Guides
- Best Apps for Self-Employed Tradesmen
- How to Quote Fencing Work
- Signs You're Undercharging as a Tradesman
- How to Get More Customers as a Tradesman
- Best Quoting Apps for UK Tradesmen
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