The market column
Market rates
The going day rates across the four columns, compiled by the desk from live notices and site talk. A guide, not gospel — rates move with the season, the programme and how badly they need you on Monday.
The back-of-the-fag-packet column
CIS take-home reckoner
Week gross
£1,400
CIS (20%)
−£280
In your hand
£1,120
Five-day week, standard 20% CIS deduction, before materials and expenses. Gross-status and PAYE differ — check with your accountant.
📄 Take the rate card with you
The 2026 day-rate guide as a printable PDF — leave an email and it's yours. We'll send the updated edition when rates move.
| Role | London | South East | Midlands & North | Scotland & Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ductwork installer | £260–£320 | £240–£300 | £220–£280 | £210–£270 |
| Commissioning engineer | £300–£360 | £280–£340 | £260–£320 | £250–£310 |
| TR19 hygiene technician | £200–£250 | £190–£240 | £180–£220 | £170–£210 |
| Role | London | South East | Midlands & North | Scotland & Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial plumber | £260–£320 | £240–£300 | £220–£280 | £210–£270 |
| Domestic plumber | £220–£280 | £200–£260 | £190–£240 | £180–£230 |
| Pipefitter | £280–£340 | £260–£320 | £240–£300 | £230–£290 |
| Role | London | South East | Midlands & North | Scotland & Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician (gold card) | £260–£340 | £240–£310 | £220–£280 | £210–£270 |
| Improver | £160–£200 | £150–£190 | £140–£180 | £130–£170 |
| Testing & inspection | £280–£350 | £260–£330 | £240–£300 | £230–£290 |
| Role | London | South East | Midlands & North | Scotland & Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dryliner / tacker | £220–£280 | £200–£260 | £180–£240 | £170–£230 |
| Taper / finisher | £220–£280 | £200–£260 | £180–£240 | £170–£230 |
| Boarder (price-work) | per board/m² | per board/m² | per board/m² | per board/m² |
Self-employed CIS day rates unless stated; PAYE typically runs lower with holiday pay on top. Figures are the desk's editorial guide for mid-2026 and carry no warranty — check the notice, then check with the poster.