Daily rate for DIY person in London?

longbaygirl

To do:

decorating (painting, papering)
moving a couple of rads
putting up guttering (on low wall)
plastering a wall
putting up shelves
errecting garden shed
pruning trees

Everything bar making my dinner really!

How much should I expect to pay per day? and how many hours in a working day?

Most importantly, if I am paying a day rate, how will I know he is not taking twice as long to complete the job?

jason_s_2

What your after is a handy man, and you probably looking at around the £120 mark and for a working day 8 hrs. As for taking the p***, its down to trust, so get references, and dont be afraid to call some of them too.

mickog

i say £150-£180 per/day would be a better guide your not just asking for someone to dig a hole you want him to do it all,

cattie

I pay £150 per day for a handy person here on the outskirts of London. Seems to be about the going rate for somebody with various skills for an 8hr day.

markie1980

I would say £150 per day aswell.
As to whether they are doing a proper days work is potluck untill you find a good 'un.

I did a days work for someone on tuesday for £150, they found me on Myhammer.co.uk I was at the job at 8 (an hour before them) and worked untill 7pm to get the work done.

I'm working with someone at the moment who turns up at 9-9:30, has a cuppa, does a bit of work and leaves about 3.

When you find a good one, keep there number!

longbaygirl

Great - thanks.

Would the daily rate go down if I want them for 3 weeks straight, as opposed to the odd day?

EliteHeat

I think you are getting your terms mixed up. A DIYer is, by definition, the homeowner - someone with little knowledge or skill but prepared to have a go regardless. Mostly because they refuse to pay the extortionate rates that allow a professional with the skills, tools and experience to support themselves and their families.

The person you are looking for is a builder.

mickog

why should the rate go down, it might even go up,lots of reasons for putting up prices petrol is just one.

Inactive

EliteHeat wrote: »

The person you are looking for is a builder.

Indeed, a good one at that if the OP wants a wall plastering.;)

cattie

Never heard of the rate going down irrispective of how many days you wish to employ a tradesperson for. Day rate is day rate.

Some tradesmen work on a per job basis as opposed to day rate so this is another option you could consider when looking for somebody.

roses

Hi, I have been using a Bulgarian guy for a few years now. He charges me a fixed price which is usually equivalent to £125 per day including materials. Over the course of two years he has stripped, plastered and painted nearly every room in my house and I usually have 2 weeks worth of work for him.

I am based in NW London if that is anywhere near you. Send me a pm if you want his number for a quote.