Free tool · No signup · UK
Electrician day rate calculator
Work back from the pay you want to the day rate you need, with Class 4 NI, your van and scheme fees, and VAT if you are registered.
How it works
- Class 4 NI (2025/26): 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above. Class 2 is no longer compulsory.
- Yearly cost = your pay + Class 4 NI + apprentice or labourer costs + overheads.
- Hourly rate = yearly cost ÷ billable hours ÷ (1 − profit margin). Day rate = hourly rate × hours in your day.
- Inc VAT adds 20% if you are VAT registered.
Income tax is not included because it depends on your other income and allowances; set your pay target with it in mind. VAT registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in a rolling 12 months. If you subcontract to builders, CIS deductions come out of your labour as payments on account of your tax; they do not change the rate you need.
Three worked examples
Each one was checked against an independent calculation. Type the same numbers above and you will get the same results.
Example 1
Sole trader under the VAT threshold
Example 2
VAT-registered sole trader, higher earnings
Example 3
With an apprentice, VAT registered
UK (VAT, CIS)
Now do it for every job.
US$27.99
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4 spreadsheets · Excel and Google Sheets · blank, filled example and printable PDF
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Questions
What day rate do electricians charge?
It varies with region and work type. Rather than copy someone else's, use this to find your floor, then compare it with what local firms advertise. If the market rate is below your floor, the fix is usually more billable days or lower overheads.
Should a domestic electrician register for VAT early?
If most of your customers are homeowners, 20% VAT makes you dearer than unregistered competitors, so many wait until they reach the threshold. If you mostly work for VAT-registered contractors, registering early costs them nothing and lets you reclaim VAT on your van and tools.
How many billable days are there in a year?
52 weeks less holidays, bank holidays, sick days and training is about 46 weeks. Take out quoting, certificates and supplier runs and many sole traders bill 3.5 to 4 days a week.