Agreeing a day rate shouldn't require a negotiation. Here's what fair looks like across the main trades in 2026, and what actually moves the number.
The short answer
For most trades working in Surrey and the Home Counties, expect to pay between £180 and £300 per day for standard work, ex VAT. Certified specialists — Gas Safe plumbers, Part P electricians — sit at the upper end. Labourers and decorators sit lower.
Rates by trade — Surrey / Home Counties, 2026
| Trade | Day rate (ex VAT) |
|---|---|
| ⚡ Electrician (Sparky) | £200 – £350 |
| 🔧 Plumber | £200 – £300 |
| 🧱 Bricklayer (Brickie) | £200 – £300 |
| 🪚 Carpenter (Chippy) | £180 – £280 |
| 🏠 Roofer | £200 – £300 |
| 🎨 Plasterer | £180 – £260 |
| 🖌️ Decorator | £150 – £250 |
| 🌳 Landscaper | £150 – £250 |
| 💪 Labourer | £120 – £180 |
These are labour-only day rates. Materials, skip hire, and specialist equipment are on top. For regional benchmarks — Central London, Midlands, rural — see the Cabin rates guide.
What moves the rate
Certifications push rates up. A Gas Safe registered plumber commands more than a general plumber. A Part P electrician who can self-certify their own work charges more than one who can't. That premium is justified — you're paying for the ability to skip a building control sign-off.
Short notice adds 20–40%. If you need someone tomorrow, expect to pay for it. Longer bookings go the other way — most trades will take a slightly lower rate for a week's guaranteed work over individual days.
Location matters. Central London adds 15–25% on top of Surrey rates. Rural areas typically run 5–15% lower.
Use the Cabin CIS calculator to see exactly what a booking costs you and what the trade takes home under different CIS rates.
VAT — don't overlook it
All rates above are ex VAT. If the trade is VAT-registered, they'll add 20% on top. A £250/day chippy who's VAT-registered costs you £300/day. As a VAT-registered contractor you can reclaim that on your next return. If you're not VAT-registered, it's a real additional cost. Always confirm VAT status before agreeing the rate — on Cabin, every trade's VAT status shows on their profile before you book.
CIS and the day rate
CIS doesn't change what a trade charges. The day rate is the day rate. What it changes is how the money moves. When you book through Cabin, Cabin is the CIS contractor — we verify the trade's status, apply the correct deduction, and pay HMRC. You pay the agreed rate and nothing else. No verification, no monthly returns, no deduction statements.
Five mistakes when agreeing rates
- Not clarifying VAT upfront. Always confirm ex VAT or inc VAT before work starts. It's an awkward conversation on day one and a worse one on invoice day.
- Assuming materials are included. Day rates cover labour. Be explicit about materials before anyone picks up a tool.
- Paying below market to save margin. Good trades have options. They work for people who pay fairly and on time. Cutting the rate gets you the trades who couldn't get the rate elsewhere.
- Not agreeing a minimum day. If you send a trade home after two hours, they'll expect at least a half-day. Agree it upfront.
- Ignoring the short-notice premium. If you need someone tomorrow, build the premium into your estimate. The trade has turned down other work to show up for you.
Download Cabin — every trade's rate is visible before you book. No renegotiation on the day. GPS clock-in, CIS fully managed.