Tools · Rates

Line up a day rate against a lump-sum quote

Time, materials and optional VAT on one side. A fixed figure on the other. The gap is what you take to the call.

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The timed quote and the lump sum

Use the hours you were given, not a guess of how fast the work “should” go.

Hours in a day are used to turn a day rate into an hourly equivalent. They are not a working-time claim.

Published timed rates on this directory

Time cost is rate × hours (or day rate × days, where days = hours ÷ hours in a day). Materials are added. VAT, if ticked, is 20% of that sum. If you enter a lump sum, the page shows the difference and the implied hourly rate of that lump sum.

Published timed rates
Listing Published figure VAT as written
Sky Electrical Ltd, London £125 first hour, then £95 + VAT
Silver Saints, London £60 first 30 minutes, then £30 per 30 minutes + VAT

Those two cards are not a national day rate. Most listings still say a written quote is needed.

Questions about the gap

Is there a typical UK hourly rate on this directory?

No national rate sits here. One London electrical card publishes £125 + VAT for the first hour, then £95 + VAT. One London building card publishes £60 + VAT for the first 30 minutes, then £30 + VAT.

Does a no-call-out note mean the labour is free?

No. Twenty businesses advertise no call-out fee. Labour, parts, night rates and VAT can still be extra. Ask for the price before a van is sent.

Should I compare a lump sum with time-and-materials?

Yes, if both quotes describe the same work. Travel, parking, materials and VAT often sit on only one of the two figures.