Category: Blog

February 28th, 2025

Building a porch is a great way to enhance your home’s kerb appeal, add extra storage, and improve insulation (heat loss through windows and doors accounts for 20–30% of the whole heat loss of house). A porch also improves home security by adding an extra layer of protection.

 

But costs can vary widely depending on size, materials, and whether the structure is enclosed or open. In this guide, we’ll break down the key factors affecting porch costs in the UK, comparing four different types of porches:

 

• Brick porch – constructed with bricks.
• Rendered porch – built with blocks and a rendered finish.
• Timber porch (enclosed) – made primarily from wood.
• Open porch – without enclosed walls, and offering an external shelter.

 

Here's a breakdown of the costs for different types of porches, so you can determine which option best suits your project.

 

Building A Porch Construction Cost Calculations

 

Our cost comparisons are based on a gross external floor area (GEFA) of 3m². The only exception is the open porch, which is based on a GEFA of 2m2. Since an open porch is primarily an aesthetic shelter, a smaller size better reflects its typical usage.

 

In terms of build specification BuildPartner pricing tool gives you three broad options (which can be revised by item at a later point):

 

• Low spec is a basic finish; e.g. Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Mid spec is a standard finish; e.g. Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• High spec is a high-spec finish; e.g. Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

To keep this comparison simple, we have chosen mid spec in all our cost estimations. In addition to this, we have also provided three different benchmarks to show the range you can expect amongst different contractors. These are:

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

Cost Of Building A Brick Porch

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 3m2 brick porch in the UK:

Brick Porch	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£7,582	£8,276	£8,961	£2,527	£2,759	£2,987
Greater London	£8,170	£9,427	£9,553	£2,723	£3,142	£3,184
Inner London	£8,176	£9,275	£9,988	£2,725	£3,092	£3,329
Midlands	£7,377	£8,048	£8,719	£2,459	£2,683	£2,906
North England	£7,182	£7,857	£8,488	£2,394	£2,619	£2,829
Northern Ireland	£7,465	£8,179	£8,860	£2,499	£2,726	£2,953
Scotland	£7,432	£8,108	£8,784	£2,477	£2,703	£2,928
South East	£7,284	£8,145	£9,037	£2,639	£2,951	£3,239
South West	£7,421	£8,560	£9,395	£2,552	£2,853	£3,132
Wales	£7,187	£8,036	£8,616	£2,396	£2,679	£2,872
Average	£7,528	£8,391	£9,040	£2,539	£2,821	£3,036

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a brick porch:

 

• It costs 13% more to build a porch in London than in other regions.
• The minimum cost is £7,182, and the maximum cost is £9,988.
• The total average cost is £8,320, or £2,799 per square metre.

 

Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of your construction project.

 

Cost Of Building A Timber Porch

 

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 3m2 timber porch in the UK:

Timber Porch (Enclosed)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£6,268	£6,842	£7,407	£2,089	£2,281	£2,469
Greater London	£6,702	£7,609	£8,042	£2,234	£2,536	£2,681
Inner London	£6,812	£7,653	£8,319	£2,271	£2,551	£2,773
Midlands	£6,140	£6,698	£7,257	£2,047	£2,233	£2,419
North England	£6,038	£6,588	£7,136	£2,013	£2,196	£2,379
Northern Ireland	£6,233	£6,773	£7,338	£2,070	£2,258	£2,446
Scotland	£6,257	£6,825	£7,394	£2,086	£2,275	£2,465
South East	£6,037	£6,750	£7,409	£2,187	£2,446	£2,684
South West	£6,171	£7,069	£7,759	£2,107	£2,356	£2,586
Wales	£6,019	£6,730	£7,206	£2,006	£2,243	£2,402
Average	£6,268	£6,954	£7,527	£2,111	£2,338	£2,530

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a timber porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £6,019, and the maximum cost is £8,319.
• The total average cost is £6,916, or £2,326 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building A Rendered Porch

 

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 3m2 rendered porch in the UK:

Rendered Porch	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£5,298	£5,784	£6,261	£1,766	£1,928	£2,087
Greater London	£5,747	£6,428	£6,713	£1,916	£2,143	£2,238
Inner London	£5,738	£6,465	£7,010	£1,913	£2,155	£2,337
Midlands	£5,160	£5,629	£6,098	£1,720	£1,876	£2,033
North England	£5,025	£5,494	£5,938	£1,675	£1,831	£1,979
Northern Ireland	£4,924	£5,384	£5,820	£1,641	£1,795	£1,940
Scotland	£5,209	£5,683	£6,157	£1,736	£1,894	£2,052
South East	£5,111	£5,715	£6,341	£1,704	£1,905	£2,114
South West	£5,185	£5,975	£6,558	£1,728	£1,992	£2,186
Wales	£5,027	£5,621	£6,030	£1,676	£1,874	£2,010
Average	£5,242	£5,818	£6,293	£1,747	£1,939	£2,098

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a rendered porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £4,924, and the maximum cost is £7,010.
• The total average cost is £5,784, or £1,928 per square metre.

 

Cost Of Building An Open Porch

 

Here’s a table showing the average cost of building a 2m2 open porch:

Open Porch	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£3,439	£3,751	£4,064	£1,719	£1,876	£2,032
Greater London	£3,741	£4,254	£4,344	£1,871	£2,127	£2,172
Inner London	£3,755	£4,312	£4,552	£1,877	£2,156	£2,276
Midlands	£3,325	£3,628	£3,930	£1,663	£1,814	£1,965
North England	£3,254	£3,550	£3,846	£1,627	£1,775	£1,923
Northern Ireland	£3,358	£3,705	£4,013	£1,698	£1,852	£2,007
Scotland	£3,321	£3,623	£3,924	£1,660	£1,811	£1,962
South East	£3,327	£3,721	£4,128	£1,808	£2,022	£2,219
South West	£3,367	£3,918	£4,301	£1,752	£1,959	£2,150
Wales	£3,295	£3,612	£3,880	£1,615	£1,806	£1,940
Average	£3,418	£3,807	£4,098	£1,729	£1,920	£2,065

 

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building an open porch:

 

• The minimum cost is £3,254, and the maximum cost is £4,552.
• The total average cost is £3,755, or £1,905 per square metre.

 

Summary Of The Average Cost To Build A Porch

So, how much does it cost to build a new porch in the UK? That depends largely on where you are building. If you’re building a porch in London, it will cost you an average of 13% more.

Based on the four different types of porches covered in this article, you can expect building a porch to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Brick porch – £8,391, or £2,821 per square metre
• Timber porch – £6,954, or £2,338 per square metre
• Rendered porch – £5,818, or £1,939 per square metre
• Open porch – £3,807, or £1,920 per square metre

Please remember that all costs exclude VAT.

 

Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of your construction project.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Building A Porch

Here are some frequently asked questions about building a porch.

Can a porch prevent heat loss in my home?

Building a porch improves energy efficiency by creating an air buffer that traps cold air before it reaches your main entrance. It also acts as a thermal barrier, providing an additional layer of protection against the elements. 

The most energy-efficient porches are made from brick and timber, which benefit from greater thermal mass to regulate temperature. uPVC is less efficient without high-quality glazing and seals.

Does adding a porch increase security and reduce the risk of burglary?

If you keep your existing front door, the porch effectively provides double security—a potential intruder would have to get past both the porch and your door to gain entry. This added barrier can significantly deter burglars. 

Is a porch good for storage?

A porch is great for storage because it can act as a cloakroom or boot room, providing space for coats, boots, bags, and outdoor gear. No more coats draped over chairs or shoes scattered around the hallway—it's a purposeful space for your outdoor items.

What are the downsides of getting a uPVC porch?

uPVC porches are generally less energy-efficient and can allow more heat to escape. Additionally, while uPVC porches can last 20 to 30 years, they can become brittle, yellow, or fade with age, especially when exposed to harsh weather conditions. They aren’t as visually appealing as natural materials like brick or timber.

 

January 25th, 2025

The cost of building a garage continues to be influenced by rising material prices, labour rates, and regional variations across the UK. Whether you’re looking to build a small single garage or a spacious double garage, understanding the costs involved is essential to avoid cost overruns.

 

In this guide, we’ll provide a detailed comparison of four popular garage types: single garage with a flat roof, single garage with a pitched roof, double garage with a flat roof, and double garage with a pitched roof. This guide also includes regional rate comparisons across the UK, along with building costs per square metre.

 

Building A Garage Construction Cost Calculations

 
In our calculations, we applied a consistent methodology across different regions. The cost comparisons assume the garage is an extension to an existing dwelling, not a new detached structure. These cost excludes the installation of appliances and EV chargers.

 

The typical sizes of garages in the UK are:

 

• Single – 10 x 18 feet (3m × 5.5m, with a gross external area of 16.5m2)
• Double – 18 x 18 feet (5.5m × 6m, with a gross external area of 33m2)

 

We have used both of these measurements to calculate the costs in this article.

 

In terms of build specification when using our BuildPartner pricing tool, our pricing calculator gives you three broad options (which can be revised by item at a later point):

 

• Low spec is a basic finish; e.g. Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g. Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g. Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

To keep this comparison simple, we have chosen standard spec in all our cost estimations. 

 

In addition to this, we have also provided three different benchmarks to show the range you can expect amongst different contractors. These are:

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

In short, contractor pricing varies due to factors such as expertise, location, and project intricacies.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Single Garage With A Flat Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a single garage with a flat roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Single Garage With Flat Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£34,642	£37,791	£40,941	£2,100	£2,290	£2,481
Greater London	£36,188	£40,465	£45,089	£2,193	£2,452	£2,733
Inner London	£37,152	£41,431	£45,381	£2,252	£2,511	£2,750
Midlands	£33,738	£36,805	£39,872	£2,045	£2,231	£2,416
North England	£32,837	£35,822	£38,808	£1,990	£2,171	£2,352
Northern Ireland	£33,418	£36,522	£39,566	£2,029	£2,213	£2,398
Scotland	£33,357	£36,390	£39,422	£2,022	£2,205	£2,389
South East	£36,025	£40,282	£44,212	£2,183	£2,441	£2,680
South West	£33,961	£39,293	£43,126	£2,130	£2,381	£2,614
Wales	£32,782	£36,656	£39,285	£1,987	£2,222	£2,381
Average	£34,410	£38,146	£41,570	£2,093	£2,312	£2,519

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a flat roof:

• It costs 11% more to build a garage in London than in other regions.
• The minimum cost is £32,782, and the maximum cost is £45,381.
• The total average cost is £38,042, or £2,308 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Single Garage With A Pitched Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a single garage with a pitched roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Single Garage With Pitched Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£41,399	£45,163	£48,927	£2,509	£2,737	£2,965
Greater London	£43,858	£49,041	£54,502	£2,658	£2,972	£3,303
Inner London	£44,837	£50,017	£54,799	£2,717	£3,031	£3,321
Midlands	£40,239	£43,898	£47,556	£2,439	£2,660	£2,882
North England	£39,233	£42,800	£46,367	£2,378	£2,594	£2,810
Northern Ireland	£39,568	£43,082	£46,673	£2,393	£2,611	£2,829
Scotland	£39,644	£43,248	£46,851	£2,403	£2,621	£2,839
South East	£43,495	£48,635	£53,380	£2,636	£2,948	£3,235
South West	£40,587	£47,114	£51,711	£2,554	£2,855	£3,134
Wales	£39,040	£43,654	£46,910	£2,366	£2,646	£2,843
Average	£41,190	£45,665	£49,767	£2,505	£2,768	£3,016

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a pitched roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £39,040, and the maximum cost is £54,799.
• The total average cost is £45,451, or £2,763 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Double Garage With A Flat Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a double garage with a flat roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Double Garage With Flat Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£47,969	£52,330	£56,690	£1,454	£1,586	£1,718
Greater London	£48,484	£54,214	£60,139	£1,469	£1,643	£1,822
Inner London	£50,304	£56,249	£62,413	£1,524	£1,705	£1,891
Midlands	£46,603	£50,839	£55,076	£1,412	£1,541	£1,669
North England	£45,307	£49,426	£53,544	£1,373	£1,498	£1,623
Northern Ireland	£46,036	£50,338	£54,533	£1,395	£1,525	£1,653
Scotland	£45,930	£50,105	£54,280	£1,392	£1,518	£1,645
South East	£50,094	£56,014	£61,479	£1,518	£1,697	£1,863
South West	£46,968	£54,549	£59,871	£1,423	£1,653	£1,814
Wales	£45,153	£50,489	£54,183	£1,368	£1,530	£1,642
Average	£47,285	£52,455	£57,221	£1,433	£1,590	£1,734

All costs exclude VAT.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a double garage with a flat roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £45,153, and the maximum cost is £62,413.
• The total average cost is £52,530, or £1,585 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Double Garage With A Pitched Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a double garage with a pitched roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Double Garage With Pitched Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£58,327	£63,630	£68,932	£1,767	£1,928	£2,089
Greater London	£62,074	£69,410	£76,858	£1,881	£2,103	£2,329
Inner London	£63,422	£70,761	£77,536	£1,922	£2,144	£2,350
Midlands	£56,574	£61,717	£66,860	£1,714	£1,870	£2,026
North England	£55,123	£60,135	£65,146	£1,670	£1,822	£1,974
Northern Ireland	£55,523	£60,456	£65,494	£1,679	£1,832	£1,985
Scotland	£55,628	£60,685	£65,742	£1,686	£1,839	£1,992
South East	£61,551	£68,825	£75,540	£1,865	£2,086	£2,289
South West	£57,132	£66,529	£73,020	£1,803	£2,016	£2,213
Wales	£54,766	£61,238	£65,894	£1,660	£1,856	£1,997
Average	£58,012	£64,339	£70,102	£1,765	£1,950	£2,124

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a pitched roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £54,766, and the maximum cost is £77,536.
• The total average cost is £64,151, or £1,964 per square metre.

 

How Long Does It Take To Build A Garage?

 
Based on a typical timeline, it would take approximately 4.5 weeks to build a garage with an average of two tradespeople, with an estimated breakdown by project stage of:

• Demolitions: 0.5 days 
• Foundations and substructure: 6.5 days
• Steel and structural supports: 0.2 days
• External wall structure and lining: 9.1 days
• Roof structure and coverings: 1.4 days
• External windows and doors: 1.5 days
• Drainage and pipework: 1 day
• Wiring and fuseboards: 0.3 days
• Wired appliances: 0.5 days
• Ceiling preparation and finishes: 0.5 days
• Wall preparation and finishes: 1.2 days

Summary Of The Average Cost To Build A Garage

 
So, how much does it cost to build a new garage in the UK? That depends largely on where you are building. If you’re building a garage in London, it will cost you an average of 11% more. Based on the four different types of garages covered in this article, you can expect building a garage to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Single with flat roof – £38,146, or £2,312 per square metre
• Single with pitched roof – £45,655, or £2,768 per square metre
• Double with flat roof – £52,455, or £1,590 per square metre
• Double with pitched roof – £64,339, or £1,950 per square metre

Please remember that all costs exclude VAT.

 

Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of your construction project.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost To Build A Garage

 
Here are answers to common questions about the cost of building a garage.

What additional costs should I budget for when building a garage?

 
When building a garage, consider the costs of adding an electric vehicle (EV) charger, which typically ranges from £800–£1,500. Upgrading or paving the driveway to provide smooth access can cost anywhere between £1,000–£5,000, depending on the materials used. Additionally, if you need to adjust access to a public road, installing a dropped kerb can cost £1,000–£2,500. 

Do I need planning permission to build a garage in the UK?

 
In the UK, garages under 30 square metres often fall under permitted development and require no planning permission if they meet specific criteria (e.g., height limits, no sleeping accommodation).  
 
Boundary rules (e.g., Party Wall Act) may apply if the garage is built close to property lines. Additionally, restrictions for conservation areas or listed properties may require further permissions. Always check with your local planning authority for specific requirements.
 
For more information, see our related article which covers planning permission.
 

Will building a garage affect council tax band?

 
While adding a garage doesn’t automatically increase your council tax, your local council or the VOA  (Valuation Office Agency in England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors in Scotland) might reassess your property after the addition—although this is extremely rare. 
 

What is the average daily rate for builders in the UK?

 
Builders typically charge £150 to £300 per day, while specialist trades (electricians, plumbers) may charge £200 to £400 per day. Check out our latest article on our blog for more information about the rates of different trades by region.

January 30th, 2025

Building an extension is an excellent way to increase living space and add value to your home, particularly when the alternative—moving house—is so expensive. However, costs vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of extension, location, materials used, and the complexity of the project. 

In this guide, we break down the average costs of building a ground-floor and double-storey extension to help you understand what to expect when planning your construction project. We provide the average costs by region and also a breakdown of breakdown by project stage and room type.

Building An Extension In The UK

In our calculations, the costs of building an extension are based on the following:

• The roof of the extension is pitched, not flat.
• The extension is constructed out of brick/block, not a timber frame.

Also, the rooms in the calculation for the extension comprise:

• 20m² single-storey rear extension: dining room, utility room, WC.
• 40m² double-storey rear extension: dining room, utility room, WC, two bedrooms, an en-suite bathroom, storage room, small landing.

 

Start your free trial of BuildPartner today.

 

Which rooms you choose ultimately affects the overall cost of the extension. For instance, if we were adding a kitchen instead of a dining room, we would need to factor in the cost of fitting a kitchen and the appliances.

Calculations reflect the cost of fitting out the new rooms only. They do not include the remodelling of existing rooms or changes to the layout.

In terms of build specification, our pricing calculator has three options:

• Low spec is a basic finish; e.g. Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Mid spec is a standard finish; e.g. Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• High spec is a high-spec finish; e.g. Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 
For the purposes of these extensions, we reviewed the costs for standard specification. Then, for each specification, we’ve provided a range of prices to reflect the varying types of contractors:

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.
  

Cost of Building A Ground-Floor Extension – Standard Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a single-storey rear extension for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Single-Storey Rear Extension	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£79,067	£86,255	£93,443	£2,636	£2,875	£3,115
London	£83,258	£93,492	£103,834	£2,775	£3,116	£3,461
Midlands	£76,740	£83,716	£90,693	£2,558	£2,791	£3,023
North England	£74,934	£81,746	£88,558	£2,498	£2,725	£2,952
Northern Ireland	£77,293	£84,275	£91,298	£2,575	£2,809	£3,043
Scotland	£77,334	£84,364	£91,395	£2,578	£2,812	£3,046
South East	£83,142	£92,968	£102,038	£2,771	£3,099	£3,401
South West	£77,518	£89,564	£98,302	£2,670	£2,985	£3,277
Wales	£74,938	£83,795	£89,986	£2,498	£2,793	£3,000
Average	£78,247	£86,686	£94,394	£2,618	£2,890	£3,146

All costs exclude VAT.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single-storey rear extension to a standard spec:

• It costs 9% more to build an extension in London than in other regions.
• The minimum cost is £74,934, and the maximum cost is £103,834.
• The total average cost is £86,443, or £2,885 per square metre.

Housebuilding Cost Breakdown By Project Stage – London

Here’s an example of the associated costs for the different stages of building an extension for a standard-spec project – when using a mid-benchmark contractor in London:

Total	£93,492	100.0%
External wall structure and lining	£14,024	15.0%
Foundations and substructure	£13,159	14.1%
Roof structure and coverings	£11,540	12.3%
Steel and structural supports	£8,133	8.7%
Floor preparation and finishes	£5,966	6.4%
Units, worktops and kitchen appliances	£4,457	4.8%
Heating and cooling	£4,198	4.5%
External windows and doors	£3,984	4.3%
Decoration	£3,927	4.2%
Preliminaries	£3,564	3.8%
Floor structure and lining	£3,555	3.8%
Wired appliances	£3,239	3.5%
Internal wall structure and lining	£2,711	2.9%
Drainage and pipework	£2,427	2.6%
Wall preparation and finishes	£2,163	2.3%
Internal doors and frames	£1,517	1.6%
Plumbed appliances	£1,373	1.5%
Demolitions	£1,346	1.4%
Wiring and fuseboards	£634	0.7%
Ceiling structure and lining	£581	0.6%
Ceiling preparation and finishes	£567	0.6%
Fixtures and fittings	£426	0.5%

Cost Breakdown By Room – London

Here’s a breakdown of the associated costs by room for building a standard-spec extension – when using a mid-benchmark contractor in London:

Total	£93,492	100%
Ground Floor Rear Extension with pitched roof	£60,362	64.6%
Utility	£13,821	14.8%
Dining room	£10,902	11.7%
WC	£7,912	8.5%
P | Preliminaries	£496	0.5%

Cost of Building A Double-Storey Extension – Standard Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a double-storey extension for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Double-Storey Rear Extension (Pitched Roof)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£131,357	£143,298	£155,240	£2,189	£2,388	£2,587
London	£138,434	£155,344	£173,574	£2,307	£2,589	£2,893
Midlands	£127,393	£138,974	£150,555	£2,123	£2,316	£2,509
North England	£124,191	£135,481	£146,771	£2,070	£2,258	£2,446
Northern Ireland	£128,347	£139,658	£151,296	£2,134	£2,328	£2,522
Scotland	£128,673	£140,371	£152,069	£2,145	£2,340	£2,534
South East	£138,130	£154,455	£169,524	£2,302	£2,574	£2,825
South West	£128,668	£148,454	£162,937	£2,213	£2,474	£2,716
Wales	£124,572	£139,295	£149,616	£2,076	£2,322	£2,494
Average	£129,974	£143,926	£156,842	£2,173	£2,399	£2,614

All costs exclude VAT.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a double-storey extension to a standard spec:

• The minimum cost is £124,191, and the maximum cost is £173,574.
• The total average cost is £143,581, or £2,395 per square metre.

Average Cost To Build An Extension In 2025

So, how much does it cost to build an extension in the UK? Based on building to a standard specification, you can expect building an extension to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Ground-floor rear extension – £86,686, or £2,890 per square metre.
• Double-storey rear extension – £143,926, or £2,399 per square metre.

Please remember that these costs do not include VAT, and there may be other additional costs, such as obtaining planning permission, conducting structural surveys, making unexpected repairs, and completing custom finishes.

Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of building an extension based on your own dimensions and specifications.

FAQs About Building An Extension In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about building extensions in the UK.

What are the different types of extensions?

Common ground-floor extensions include rear, side, double-storey, and wraparound. A rear extension expands the back, while a side extension adds space to the side of the property. A double-storey extension increases space both upstairs and downstairs, and a wraparound extension combines rear and side extensions for a larger, open-plan space. 

Do I need planning permission for an extension? 

There are many variables to assess to determine if planning permission is needed when building an extension. For example, you need planning permission if your single-storey rear extension is higher than four metres or extends beyond the rear of the “original house” by more than six metres. 

In many cases, extensions fall under permitted development rights. Find out more about planning permission in our guide here.

Do I need a Party Wall Agreement?

If your extension affects a shared wall or boundary with a neighbour, the Party Wall Act 1996 requires you to serve notice and potentially obtain their consent.

January 30th, 2025

As the UK grapples with a cost-of-living crisis and a volatile housing market, building a home in 2025 presents significant challenges. Construction costs per square metre are at historic highs, driven by inflation, material shortages, and changing regulations. 

This guide not only explores average costs by region—including East Anglia, London, the Midlands, and more—but also provides a breakdown of expenses by project stage and room type, offering a detailed understanding of where your budget is likely to go.

Building A House In The UK

House-building costs vary significantly depending on many factors. Sources like Checkatrade offer a general estimate of £1,750 to £2,750 per square metre, while Purple Bricks suggests a lower average of £1,200 to £1,500 per square metre. However, these figures lack context regarding specification or regional variations, offering only a basic rule of thumb.

So, in our calculations, we applied a consistent methodology across different regions, focusing on a three-bedroom detached house. The average number of bedrooms in the UK is 2.95, so we rounded it up to 3 in our estimations. The floorplan was based on the average total floor area of a dwelling in the UK, which is 94m2.

Rooms included in this build are three bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, a cloakroom, the hallway and landing, and a dedicated boiler and storage cupboard. 

A garage was excluded from our calculations since only a third of UK homes have one.

In terms of build specification, our pricing calculator has three options:

• Low spec is a basic finish; e.g. Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Mid spec is a standard finish; e.g. Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• High spec is a high-spec finish; e.g. Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

For the purposes of this comparison of build costs per square metre, we have reviewed the costs for all three specifications. 

In addition, for each specification, we’ve provided a range of prices to reflect the varying types of contractors:

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

Cost of Building A 3-Bedroom UK House – Basic Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a 3-bed house for a basic-spec project in the UK:

 

3-Bedroom Detached House (Basic)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£259,469	£283,057	£306,645	£2,760	£3,011	£3,262
London	£275,482	£308,910	£342,655	£2,931	£3,286	£3,645
Midlands	£251,343	£274,193	£297,042	£2,674	£2,917	£3,160
North England	£244,562	£266,794	£289,027	£2,602	£2,838	£3,075
Northern Ireland	£253,082	£275,473	£298,429	£2,686	£2,931	£3,175
Scotland	£253,646	£276,705	£299,764	£2,698	£2,944	£3,189
South East	£274,096	£306,489	£336,390	£2,916	£3,261	£3,579
South West	£253,757	£293,829	£322,495	£2,795	£3,126	£3,431
Wales	£244,740	£273,664	£294,366	£2,604	£2,911	£3,132
Average	£256,686	£284,346	£309,646	£2,741	£3,025	£3,294

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a 3-bed house to a basic spec:

• It costs 10% more to build a 3-bed house in London than in other regions.
• The minimum cost is £244,562, and the maximum cost is £342,655.
• The total average cost is £283,559, or £3,020 per square metre.

Housebuilding Cost Breakdown By Project Stage – London

 

Here’s an example of the associated costs for the different stages of building a house for a basic-spec project – when using a mid-benchmark contractor in London:

 

Total	£308,910	100.0%
External wall structure and lining	£60,267	19.5%
Foundations and substructure	£35,960	11.6%
Roof structure and coverings	£35,449	11.5%
Preliminaries	£21,126	6.8%
Floor structure and lining	£20,470	6.6%
External windows and doors	£16,160	5.2%
Steel and structural supports	£13,625	4.4%
Internal wall structure and lining	£12,730	4.1%
Decoration	£11,536	3.7%
Floor preparation and finishes	£11,042	3.6%
Heating and cooling	£10,860	3.5%
Units, worktops and kitchen appliances	£10,650	3.4%
Wall preparation and finishes	£9,044	2.9%
Wired appliances	£8,787	2.8%
Drainage and pipework	£8,357	2.7%
Plumbed appliances	£5,226	1.7%
Ceiling structure and lining	£3,875	1.3%
Internal doors and frames	£3,650	1.2%
Stairs, balustrades and lifts	£2,910	0.9%
Wiring and fuseboards	£2,764	0.9%
Ceiling preparation and finishes	£1,726	0.6%
Demolitions	£1,385	0.4%
Fixtures and fittings	£  763	0.2%
Joinery	£  546	0.2%

Cost Breakdown By Room – London

 

Here’s a breakdown of the associated costs by room for a basic-spec house build – when using a mid-benchmark contractor in London:

 

Total	£308,910	100%
G | Ground Floor	£115,953	37.5%
I | First Floor	£62,359	20.2%
R | Pitched roof	£35,449	11.5%
Kitchen	£29,752	9.6%
Bathroom	£10,592	3.4%
En-suite	£9,087	2.9%
Living room / family room	£7,266	2.4%
Bedroom 1	£6,973	2.3%
WC	£6,404	2.1%
Bedroom 2	£6,096	2.0%
Bedroom 3	£6,096	2.0%
Boot Room / Cloakroom	£5,436	1.8%
Landing incl. stairs	£4,265	1.4%
Boiler Cupboard	£3,182	1.0%

Cost of Building A 3-Bedroom UK House – Standard Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a 3-bed house for a standard-spec project in the UK:

 

3-Bedroom Detached House (Standard)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£279,511	£304,922	£330,332	£2,974	£3,244	£3,514
London	£295,524	£331,321	£367,252	£3,144	£3,525	£3,907
Midlands	£271,386	£296,057	£320,729	£2,887	£3,150	£3,412
North England	£264,604	£288,659	£297,852	£2,815	£3,071	£3,169
Northern Ireland	£273,124	£297,338	£322,115	£2,900	£3,163	£3,427
Scotland	£273,689	£298,570	£323,451	£2,912	£3,176	£3,441
South East	£294,138	£328,900	£360,987	£3,129	£3,499	£3,840
South West	£273,800	£316,240	£347,093	£3,009	£3,364	£3,692
Wales	£264,783	£296,075	£318,053	£2,817	£3,150	£3,384
Average	£276,729	£306,454	£331,985	£2,954	£3,260	£3,532

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a 3-bed house to a standard spec:

• The minimum cost is £264,604, and the maximum cost is £367,252.
• The total average cost is £305,056, or £3,249 per square metre.

 

Cost of Building A 3-Bedroom UK House – Premium Spec

Here’s a table showing the average costs of building a 3-bed house for a premium-spec project in the UK:

 

3-Bedroom Detached House (Premium)	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£314,534	£343,128	£371,722	£3,346	£3,650	£3,954
London	£330,547	£370,483	£410,235	£3,516	£3,941	£4,364
Midlands	£306,409	£334,264	£362,120	£3,260	£3,556	£3,852
North England	£299,627	£326,866	£354,105	£3,188	£3,477	£3,767
Northern Ireland	£308,147	£335,544	£363,506	£3,278	£3,570	£3,867
Scotland	£308,712	£336,777	£364,841	£3,284	£3,583	£3,881
South East	£329,161	£368,062	£403,970	£3,502	£3,916	£4,298
South West	£308,823	£355,402	£390,076	£3,285	£3,781	£4,150
Wales	£299,806	£335,237	£359,444	£3,189	£3,566	£3,824
Average	£311,752	£345,085	£375,558	£3,317	£3,671	£3,995

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a 3-bed house to a premium spec:

• The minimum cost is £299,627, and the maximum cost is £410,235.
• The total average cost is £344,131, or £3,661 per square metre.

 

Average Cost To Build A House In 2025

So, how much does it cost to build a new house in the UK? Based on the three different specifications covered in this article, you can expect building a 3-bedroom house to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• 3-bedroom house: basic spec – £284,346, or £3,025 per square metre.
• 3-bedroom house: standard spec – £306,454, or £3,260 per square metre.
• 3-bedroom house: premium spec – £345,085, or £3,671 per square metre.

 

Please remember that these costs do not include VAT, and there may be other additional costs, such as obtaining planning permission, conducting structural surveys, making unexpected repairs, and completing custom finishes.

 

Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of building a house based on your own dimensions and specifications.

 

FAQs About Housebuilding Costs In The UK

Here are some frequently asked questions about housebuilding costs in the UK.

Will I pay VAT on self-build projects in the UK?

New-build homes are generally zero-rated for VAT. This means that while contractors and suppliers of building materials may charge VAT on their services, you can reclaim it. 

You can reclaim VAT on integral fixtures like kitchens, bathrooms, and heating systems. However, VAT cannot be claimed on professional services, landscaping, driveways, or non-integral items like luxury fittings (e.g., Jacuzzis).

 

Will Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes affect building costs?

Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2029 could have mixed effects on building costs. While an increase in housing supply may help alleviate pressure on the housing market in the long run, it could also lead to a surge in demand for construction materials and skilled trades, pushing up material costs and labour prices, particularly in areas where construction activity is already high.

February 28th, 2025

Building contractor rates in the UK vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific trade. In this guide, we break down the average hourly and daily rates for key tradesmen—including bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and more. 

We also provide a regional comparison and a year-on-year analysis of 2024 versus 2025 data, highlighting cost changes to help you budget more accurately.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of Bricklayers In 2025?

Here’s how much bricklayers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£25.82	£25.07	£24.91	£24.43	£20.88	£20.52
2025 Hourly Rate	£26.83	£25.70	£25.99	£24.14	£20.20	£21.51
2024 Day Rate	£206.58	£200.57	£199.27	£195.46	£167.02	£164.16
2025 Day Rate	£214.62	£205.59	£207.90	£193.11	£161.57	£172.10
% Change YoY	3.9%	2.5%	4.3%	-1.2%	-3.3%	4.8%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£22.60	£22.75	£23.16	£21.30	£20.81	£18.62
2025 Hourly Rate	£22.67	£24.09	£19.48	£20.46	£22.40	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£180.77	£182.00	£185.24	£170.40	£166.45	£148.97
2025 Day Rate	£181.35	£192.75	£155.84	£163.71	£179.23	£139.00
% Change YoY	0.3%	5.9%	-15.9%	-3.9%	7.7%	-6.7%

• The total average day rate of a bricklayer in the UK is £181.
• The total average hourly rate of a bricklayer in the UK is £23.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of Carpenters In 2025?

Here’s how much carpenters and joiners charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£28.04	£28.69	£27.19	£24.95	£22.86	£24.92
2025 Hourly Rate	£27.88	£29.28	£27.79	£24.71	£20.36	£25.52
2024 Day Rate	£224.32	£229.50	£217.52	£199.59	£182.85	£199.39
2025 Day Rate	£223.04	£234.20	£222.33	£197.70	£162.88	£204.16
% Change YoY	-0.6%	2.0%	2.2%	-0.9%	-10.9%	2.4%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£24.09	£24.45	£24.63	£22.72	£23.32	£21.12
2025 Hourly Rate	£23.27	£24.09	£22.42	£21.91	£24.47	£19.75
2024 Day Rate	£192.71	£195.62	£197.05	£181.76	£186.54	£168.98
2025 Day Rate	£186.19	£192.73	£179.32	£175.25	£195.75	£158.00
% Change YoY	-3.4%	-1.5%	-9.0%	-3.6%	4.9%	-6.5%

• The total average day rate of a carpenter in the UK is £194.
• The total average hourly rate of a carpenter in the UK is £24.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of Carpet Fitters In 2025?

Here’s how much carpet fitters charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£28.43	£28.87	£27.89	£24.36	£24.29	£24.26
2025 Hourly Rate	£28.30	£29.10	£28.21	£24.33	£22.21	£24.31
2024 Day Rate	£227.46	£230.95	£223.09	£194.86	£194.33	£194.10
2025 Day Rate	£226.38	£232.78	£225.65	£194.66	£177.70	£194.52
% Change YoY	-0.5%	0.8%	1.1%	-0.1%	-8.6%	0.2%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£24.36	£24.93	£24.04	£23.51	£20.90	£23.11
2025 Hourly Rate	£23.55	£21.90	£25.01	£23.19	£20.53	£21.50
2024 Day Rate	£194.85	£199.40	£192.31	£188.08	£167.22	£184.87
2025 Day Rate	£188.37	£175.21	£200.10	£185.55	£164.20	£172.00
% Change YoY	-3.3%	-12.1%	4.0%	-1.3%	-1.8%	-7.0%

• The total average day rate of a carpet fitter in the UK is £195.
• The total average hourly rate of a carpet fitter in the UK is £24.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of Decorators In 2025?

Here’s how much decorators charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£24.15	£24.54	£23.31	£21.52	£20.09	£18.89
2025 Hourly Rate	£24.30	£24.80	£23.69	£21.24	£18.09	£19.06
2024 Day Rate	£193.17	£196.35	£186.45	£172.14	£160.70	£151.11
2025 Day Rate	£194.37	£198.40	£189.54	£169.89	£144.74	£152.44
% Change YoY	0.6%	1.0%	1.7%	-1.3%	-9.9%	0.9%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£20.41	£21.38	£20.78	£19.70	£18.33	£18.62
2025 Hourly Rate	£19.92	£20.98	£19.57	£19.09	£19.30	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£163.25	£171.04	£166.26	£157.57	£146.61	£148.97
2025 Day Rate	£159.38	£167.83	£156.52	£152.73	£154.42	£139.00
% Change YoY	-2.4%	-1.9%	-5.9%	-3.1%	5.3%	-6.7%

• The total average day rate of a decorator in the UK is £165.
• The total average hourly rate of a decorator in the UK is £21.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of Electricians In 2025?

Here’s how much electricians charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£32.85	£32.50	£31.96	£28.82	£27.90	£31.12
2025 Hourly Rate	£32.59	£32.64	£32.60	£29.02	£27.06	£30.94
2024 Day Rate	£262.80	£259.97	£255.69	£230.57	£223.22	£248.94
2025 Day Rate	£260.72	£261.16	£260.83	£232.14	£216.46	£247.49
% Change YoY	-0.8%	0.5%	2.0%	0.7%	-3.0%	-0.6%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£28.51	£29.24	£29.38	£28.09	£27.28	£25.29
2025 Hourly Rate	£27.75	£29.48	£27.03	£26.60	£27.44	£23.63
2024 Day Rate	£228.11	£233.90	£235.01	£224.71	£218.24	£202.30
2025 Day Rate	£222.04	£235.82	£216.23	£212.80	£219.54	£189.00
% Change YoY	-2.7%	0.8%	-8.0%	-5.3%	0.6%	-6.6%

• The total average day rate of an electrician in the UK is £235.
• The total average hourly rate of an electrician in the UK is £29.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Foreman In 2025?

Here’s how much a foreman costs per hour and also their daily cost across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£41.69	£40.89	£39.25	£35.15	£34.73	£34.20
2025 Hourly Rate	£41.10	£40.31	£38.81	£34.92	£32.53	£31.86
2024 Day Rate	£333.49	£327.11	£314.03	£281.20	£277.84	£273.61
2025 Day Rate	£328.81	£322.50	£310.50	£279.34	£260.28	£254.85
% Change YoY	-1.4%	-1.4%	-1.1%	-0.7%	-6.3%	-6.9%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£32.59	£35.66	£33.34	£32.29	£30.76	£33.60
2025 Hourly Rate	£33.08	£34.27	£33.14	£31.65	£29.58	£31.50
2024 Day Rate	£260.74	£285.25	£266.72	£258.29	£246.06	£268.80
2025 Day Rate	£264.64	£274.12	£265.13	£253.17	£236.67	£252.00
% Change YoY	1.5%	-3.9%	-0.6%	-2.0%	-3.8%	-6.3%

• The total average day rate of a foreman in the UK is £275.
• The total average hourly rate of a foreman in the UK is £34.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Gas Safe Engineer In 2025?

Here’s how much Gas Safe engineers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£41.48	£42.14	£39.72	£36.95	£35.52	£39.66
2025 Hourly Rate	£40.95	£42.15	£39.90	£36.63	£33.56	£33.31
2024 Day Rate	£331.86	£337.12	£317.79	£295.56	£284.19	£317.27
2025 Day Rate	£327.57	£337.21	£319.24	£293.02	£268.44	£266.51
% Change YoY	-1.3%	0.0%	0.5%	-0.9%	-5.5%	-16.0%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£33.22	£36.15	£32.88	£32.16	£30.71	£31.50
2025 Hourly Rate	£33.43	£35.64	£31.85	£32.90	£29.04	£31.50
2024 Day Rate	£265.79	£289.18	£263.01	£257.31	£245.69	£252.00
2025 Day Rate	£267.40	£285.14	£254.80	£263.19	£232.33	£252.00
% Change YoY	0.6%	-1.4%	-3.1%	2.3%	-5.4%	0.0%

• The total average day rate of a Gas Safe engineer in the UK is £281.
• The total average hourly rate of a Gas Safe engineer in the UK is £35.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A General Builder In 2025?

Here’s how much general builders charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£25.38	£24.99	£24.78	£23.40	£20.44	£20.56
2025 Hourly Rate	£25.46	£25.46	£24.87	£23.58	£18.54	£20.89
2024 Day Rate	£203.08	£199.92	£198.28	£187.22	£163.50	£164.44
2025 Day Rate	£203.69	£203.71	£198.95	£188.65	£148.35	£167.13
% Change YoY	0.3%	1.9%	0.3%	0.8%	-9.3%	1.6%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£21.64	£21.96	£24.21	£21.50	£21.87	£18.59
2025 Hourly Rate	£20.81	£22.46	£19.83	£19.91	£23.15	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£173.10	£175.71	£193.67	£171.99	£174.95	£148.71
2025 Day Rate	£166.46	£179.66	£158.62	£159.26	£185.19	£139.00
% Change YoY	-3.8%	2.2%	-18.1%	-7.4%	5.9%	-6.5%

• The total average day rate of a general builder in the UK is £175.
• The total average hourly rate of a general builder in the UK is £22.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Groundworker In 2025?

Here’s how much groundworkers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£24.25	£24.68	£23.68	£23.81	£20.29	£18.42
2025 Hourly Rate	£24.10	£24.59	£24.12	£23.40	£18.95	£17.99
2024 Day Rate	£194.03	£197.46	£189.45	£190.47	£162.34	£147.39
2025 Day Rate	£192.80	£196.69	£192.99	£187.18	£151.57	£143.94
% Change YoY	-0.6%	-0.4%	1.9%	-1.7%	-6.6%	-2.3%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£20.26	£21.02	£20.18	£18.94	£18.13	£18.53
2025 Hourly Rate	£20.31	£21.97	£20.15	£18.35	£18.24	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£162.05	£168.17	£161.47	£151.56	£145.01	£148.20
2025 Day Rate	£162.46	£175.72	£161.22	£146.77	£145.96	£139.00
% Change YoY	0.3%	4.5%	-0.2%	-3.2%	0.7%	-6.2%

• The total average day rate of a groundworker in the UK is £166.
• The total average hourly rate of a groundworker in the UK is £21.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Labourer In 2025?

Here’s how much labourers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£19.02	£18.87	£18.24	£16.54	£16.53	£16.98
2025 Hourly Rate	£18.73	£18.63	£18.30	£16.42	£15.30	£16.77
2024 Day Rate	£152.19	£150.98	£145.93	£132.31	£132.22	£135.82
2025 Day Rate	£149.84	£149.01	£146.43	£131.36	£122.38	£134.18
% Change YoY	-1.5%	-1.3%	0.3%	-0.7%	-7.4%	-1.2%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£16.86	£17.62	£16.96	£16.03	£17.28	£15.14
2025 Hourly Rate	£16.54	£17.42	£16.03	£15.57	£17.32	£14.13
2024 Day Rate	£134.89	£140.98	£135.66	£128.23	£138.22	£121.14
2025 Day Rate	£132.34	£139.37	£128.26	£124.58	£138.57	£113.00
% Change YoY	-1.9%	-1.1%	-5.5%	-2.8%	0.2%	-6.7%

• The total average day rate of a labourer in the UK is £134.
• The total average hourly rate of a labourer in the UK is £17.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Plasterer In 2025?

Here’s how much plasterers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£25.49	£25.29	£25.12	£22.76	£20.72	£20.44
2025 Hourly Rate	£25.85	£26.50	£25.73	£22.75	£20.02	£20.63
2024 Day Rate	£203.93	£202.29	£201.00	£182.11	£165.75	£163.55
2025 Day Rate	£206.77	£212.00	£205.81	£181.96	£160.15	£165.02
% Change YoY	1.4%	4.8%	2.4%	-0.1%	-3.4%	0.9%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£21.73	£21.89	£22.09	£21.64	£23.21	£18.59
2025 Hourly Rate	£20.91	£22.41	£19.78	£19.65	£23.84	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£173.83	£175.10	£176.74	£173.14	£185.70	£148.71
2025 Day Rate	£167.26	£179.26	£158.25	£157.17	£190.74	£139.00
% Change YoY	-3.8%	2.4%	-10.5%	-9.2%	2.7%	-6.5%

• The total average day rate of a plasterer in the UK is £177.
• The total average hourly rate of a plasterer in the UK is £22.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Plumber In 2025?

Here’s how much plumbers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£29.46	£29.02	£29.22	£28.50	£23.07	£26.71
2025 Hourly Rate	£29.62	£30.27	£30.04	£27.35	£22.26	£26.73
2024 Day Rate	£235.67	£232.18	£233.72	£228.03	£184.56	£213.65
2025 Day Rate	£236.95	£242.13	£240.31	£218.78	£178.06	£213.85
% Change YoY	0.5%	4.3%	2.8%	-4.1%	-3.5%	0.1%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£24.70	£28.18	£26.04	£24.93	£23.23	£21.12
2025 Hourly Rate	£23.77	£27.38	£22.52	£22.58	£24.54	£19.75
2024 Day Rate	£197.62	£225.47	£208.30	£199.41	£185.86	£168.98
2025 Day Rate	£190.14	£219.08	£180.13	£180.68	£196.30	£158.00
% Change YoY	-3.8%	-2.8%	-13.5%	-9.4%	5.6%	-6.5%

• The total average day rate of a plumber in the UK is £205.
• The total average hourly rate of a plumber in the UK is £26.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Roofer In 2025?

Here’s how much roofers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£25.53	£25.13	£24.77	£22.93	£20.72	£19.54
2025 Hourly Rate	£25.91	£25.68	£25.76	£22.93	£19.09	£19.65
2024 Day Rate	£204.28	£201.06	£198.16	£183.47	£165.77	£156.30
2025 Day Rate	£207.29	£205.42	£206.06	£183.40	£152.68	£157.24
% Change YoY	1.5%	2.2%	4.0%	0.0%	-7.9%	0.6%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£21.84	£21.99	£22.35	£20.77	£19.57	£18.61
2025 Hourly Rate	£21.92	£22.91	£19.46	£20.68	£19.96	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£174.74	£175.94	£178.81	£166.19	£156.58	£148.86
2025 Day Rate	£175.34	£183.30	£155.65	£165.47	£159.64	£139.00
% Change YoY	0.3%	4.2%	-13.0%	-0.4%	2.0%	-6.6%

• The total average day rate of a roofer in the UK is £174.
• The total average hourly rate of a roofer in the UK is £22.

What Is The Average Hourly Rate Of A Tiler In 2025?

Here’s how much tilers charge hourly and also their daily rates across different regions in the UK:

	Greater London	Inner London	South East	South West	Wales	Scotland
2024 Hourly Rate	£25.77	£25.21	£25.24	£22.61	£20.61	£21.00
2025 Hourly Rate	£25.83	£25.10	£25.53	£22.56	£20.04	£20.44
2024 Day Rate	£206.16	£201.68	£201.92	£180.89	£164.85	£168.01
2025 Day Rate	£206.62	£200.77	£204.26	£180.51	£160.34	£163.49
% Change YoY	0.2%	-0.5%	1.2%	-0.2%	-2.7%	-2.7%

 

	Midlands	East Anglia	North East	North West	Northern Ireland	Rep. of Ireland
2024 Hourly Rate	£21.46	£22.74	£21.49	£20.58	£21.65	£18.63
2025 Hourly Rate	£20.78	£22.74	£19.41	£19.51	£22.72	£17.38
2024 Day Rate	£171.72	£181.93	£171.89	£164.63	£173.19	£149.04
2025 Day Rate	£166.25	£181.94	£155.25	£156.09	£181.73	£139.00
% Change YoY	-3.2%	0.0%	-9.7%	-5.2%	4.9%	-6.7%

• The total average day rate of a tiler in the UK is £175.
• The total average hourly rate of a tiler in the UK is £22.

What Is The Average Cost Of Tradesmen In 2025?

In 2025, the average cost of hiring a tradesperson in the UK varies depending on the trade and expertise required. Here’s a table summarising the hourly rates and day rates of tradesmen across different professions:

Trade	Hourly Rate	Day Rate		Trade	Hourly Rate	Day Rate
Bricklayer	£22.57	£180.56		General Builder	£21.86	£174.89
Carpenter	£24.29	£194.30		Groundworker	£20.79	£166.36
Carpet fitter	£24.34	£194.76		Labourer	£16.76	£134.11
Decorator	£20.62	£164.94		Plasterer	£22.12	£176.95
Electrician	£28.90	£231.18		Plumber	£25.57	£204.53
Foreman	£34.40	£275.17		Roofer	£21.78	£174.21
Gas Safe Engineer	£35.07	£280.57		Tiler	£21.84	£174.69

 

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