How much do self-employed builders earn UK?

Self-employed builders typically earn £30,000-£60,000+ per year. Day rates range from £150-£250 for general builders, and £200-£350+ for specialists or London-based builders. Annual earnings depend on staying busy — most builders work around 200-220 days per year after accounting for holidays, weather, and quiet periods.

How much does a building labourer earn UK?

Building labourers earn £22,000-£30,000 employed or £100-£150 per day self-employed. Experienced labourers with specific skills (groundwork, drainage) earn more. CSCS card holders are required on most sites. Labouring is often a stepping stone to qualifying in a specific trade like bricklaying or carpentry.

How much do builders charge per day UK?

Builders typically charge £150-£350 per day depending on location, specialism, and experience. In London, day rates of £250-£400+ are common. These rates are for labour only — materials are charged separately. For fixed-price work, builders usually quote based on the job rather than a daily rate.

Income & Employment Guides UK — Maximise Your Earnings

How Much Do Builders Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide

Q: How much do builders earn in the UK 2026?

Employed builders earn £28,000-£45,000 depending on experience and specialism. Self-employed builders earn £30,000-£60,000+, with day rates of £150-£350. Specialist builders and those in London can earn £50,000-£80,000+. Site managers and foremen earn £45,000-£65,000. Builders running their own business with staff can earn £70,000-£150,000+.

Complete guide to builder salaries in the UK for 2026. General builder vs specialist trades, employed vs self-employed pay, day rates, labourer to site manager progression, and regional differences.

By PocketWise · 26 March 2026 · 2 min read

Salary and income data is based on ONS and other official UK statistical sources. Figures are averages and may not reflect your individual circumstances.

Building is a broad construction trade, covering everything from general building work to specialist extensions and renovations. Here’s what builders across the industry actually earn.

Employed Builder Salaries

By Experience and Role

Role	Salary Range
Labourer (unskilled)	£22,000-£28,000
Labourer (experienced/skilled)	£26,000-£32,000
General builder (qualified)	£28,000-£36,000
Experienced builder (5+ years)	£32,000-£42,000
Specialist builder	£35,000-£48,000
Foreman	£38,000-£50,000
Site manager	£42,000-£60,000
Contracts manager	£50,000-£70,000
Construction manager	£55,000-£80,000

By Construction Sector

Sector	Builder Salary
Residential (house building)	£28,000-£42,000
Commercial	£32,000-£48,000
Industrial	£32,000-£48,000
Refurbishment / renovation	£30,000-£45,000
Heritage / listed buildings	£32,000-£50,000
Infrastructure (roads, rail)	£35,000-£55,000

Self-Employed Builder Earnings

Day Rates

Level	Day Rate	Annual Equivalent
Labourer	£100-£150	£20,000-£33,000
General builder (new)	£150-£220	£30,000-£48,000
Experienced builder	£200-£300	£40,000-£66,000
Specialist builder	£250-£350	£50,000-£77,000
London builder	£250-£400	£50,000-£88,000

Annual based on 220 working days

Typical Job Prices

Job	Typical Price (labour + materials)
Single-storey extension (3x4m)	£30,000-£55,000
Double-storey extension	£50,000-£90,000
Loft conversion	£30,000-£60,000
Garage conversion	£10,000-£25,000
New kitchen (build work only)	£5,000-£12,000
Garden wall (brick, 10m)	£2,000-£5,000
Patio / paving (20m²)	£2,000-£5,000
Demolition and clearance (room)	£1,000-£3,000
Damp proofing (whole house)	£3,000-£8,000

Self-Employed Running Costs

Cost	Annual Estimate
Van	£3,000-£7,000
Tools and equipment	£1,000-£4,000
Insurance (public liability + employer’s)	£500-£2,000
Skip hire / waste disposal	£1,000-£4,000
Accountant	£500-£1,200
CSCS card and training	£100-£500
Marketing	£500-£2,000
Total overheads	£7,000-£21,000

Specialist Builder Salaries

Specialism	Employed	Self-Employed Day Rate
Bricklayer	£30,000-£42,000	£200-£300
Groundworker	£28,000-£40,000	£180-£280
Roofer	£28,000-£42,000	£200-£320
Plasterer	£28,000-£38,000	£180-£280
Tiler	£28,000-£38,000	£180-£300
Painter and decorator	£24,000-£34,000	£150-£250
Stonemason	£30,000-£42,000	£200-£320
Scaffolder	£30,000-£45,000	£200-£300
Demolition	£28,000-£40,000	£180-£280

Bricklayer Pay (Detail)

Bricklaying is one of the highest-paid building trades.

Payment Method	Rate
Day rate	£200-£300
Per 1,000 bricks (price work)	£400-£600
Good bricklayer (1,000/day possible)	£400-£600/day
Annual (employed)	£30,000-£42,000
Annual (self-employed, busy)	£40,000-£70,000+

Regional Differences

Region	General Builder Day Rate	Annual (Self-Employed)
London	£250-£400	£50,000-£88,000
South East	£220-£350	£44,000-£77,000
South West	£180-£280	£36,000-£62,000
East of England	£200-£300	£40,000-£66,000
West Midlands	£180-£270	£36,000-£59,000
East Midlands	£170-£260	£34,000-£57,000
North West	£180-£270	£36,000-£59,000
Yorkshire	£170-£260	£34,000-£57,000
North East	£160-£240	£32,000-£53,000
Scotland	£180-£270	£36,000-£59,000
Wales	£160-£250	£32,000-£55,000

CSCS Cards and Qualifications

Card Level	Requirements	Job Access
Green (Labourer)	Health & safety test	Basic site work
Blue (Skilled Worker)	NVQ Level 2	Trade work
Gold (Advanced Craft)	NVQ Level 3	Advanced/supervisory
Black (Manager)	NVQ Level 6-7	Site management
White (Professionally Qualified)	Degree + membership	Professional roles

Career Progression

Stage	Years	Typical Earnings
Labourer / apprentice	Years 1-3	£18,000-£28,000
Qualified builder (employed)	Years 3-6	£28,000-£38,000
Experienced builder	Years 6-10	£34,000-£45,000
Self-employed (building up)	Years 5-8	£30,000-£50,000
Established self-employed	Years 8+	£40,000-£65,000
Running a building firm	Years 10+	£60,000-£150,000+
Property developer (own projects)	Varies	£50,000-£200,000+

Summary

Level	Typical Earnings
Labourer	£22,000-£30,000
General builder (employed)	£28,000-£42,000
Self-employed builder	£30,000-£60,000+
Specialist / London	£40,000-£80,000+
Site manager	£42,000-£60,000
Running a building firm	£60,000-£150,000+

Sources

ONS — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings