How much do odd jobs cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per hour
£20 – £40
Odd jobs in the UK typically cost £20–£40 an hour, with most people applying a minimum charge of an hour. Small defined tasks are often quoted as a fixed price of £30–£80 instead. The economics are simple and worth understanding: travel and setup are charged once per visit, so a list of jobs done together costs far less than the same jobs done separately.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £20 – £40 |
| Minimum charge | 1 hour |
| Small fixed-price job | £30 – £80 |
| Half day | £70 – £150 |
| Full day | £140 – £280 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Make a list — it is worth more than haggling
Almost every household accumulates jobs: a sticking door, a shelf that never went up, a dripping tap, a curtain pole, a cracked tile, a gate that drags.
Calling someone out for each one costs close to an hour's minimum every time. Doing all six in a single visit is one lot of travel, one lot of setup, and a productive half day.
Keep a running note on your phone. When it reaches five or six items, book a half day. The saving from batching is larger than any discount you would get by negotiating the hourly rate.
Send the list when you book. It lets whoever is coming bring the right tools and materials, and give you a realistic estimate of how long it will take rather than guessing on arrival.
What counts as an odd job
General repairs and fitting: shelves, curtain poles, blinds, mirrors, flat-pack, door adjustments, handles, hinges, draught excluders, small carpentry, filling and touching up, tap washers, silicone sealant, fence panels, gate repairs, gutter clearing at low level.
What is not an odd job: anything on gas, which legally requires Gas Safe registration; notifiable electrical work under Part P; structural alterations; and anything needing proper access equipment at height.
The grey area is small electrical work. Like-for-like replacements are generally fine; new circuits and consumer units are not, unless the person holds the relevant registration.
Someone who tells you a job is outside what they should be doing is demonstrating good judgement, not being unhelpful. Take it as a positive sign about the rest of their work.
Agreeing the price
Decide before they start whether you are paying hourly or a fixed price for the list. Both are normal; the problem is only ever ambiguity.
For hourly, ask about the minimum and what happens if the list finishes early — some will fill the remaining time with additional jobs, which is worth knowing.
For fixed price, be precise about what is included. "Put up some shelves" is not a specification; "three floating shelves, plasterboard wall, brackets supplied" is.
Materials are usually extra. Most people bring tools and basic fixings but expect you to supply parts. If they buy, expect cost plus a bit for the sourcing time.
And ask about public liability insurance. It is a fair question of anyone drilling into your walls.
How to keep the cost down
Batch the jobs. This matters more than the rate you agree.
Buy the parts in advance, having checked they suit your walls and fittings — a wasted trip costs more than the markup would have.
Clear access to everything on the list before they arrive.
Be realistic about time. Six jobs described as "quick" rarely fit in an hour, and rushed work costs more to put right.
And post the list for a few prices rather than taking the first number. Rates vary widely for identical work.
Frequently asked questions
How much do odd jobs cost?+
£20–£40 an hour typically, with a one-hour minimum. Small defined tasks are often quoted at a fixed £30–£80 instead.
Is there a minimum charge?+
Usually an hour, even for a ten-minute job. This is exactly why batching several jobs into one visit is much better value.
What is the cheapest way to get several jobs done?+
Book a half or full day and provide the list in advance. Half days run £70–£150 and full days £140–£280, well below the per-hour total for the same work.
Can they do electrical or gas work?+
Gas work legally requires Gas Safe registration, which most odd-job workers do not hold. Simple like-for-like electrical swaps are generally fine, but new circuits and consumer units need the relevant registration.
Do I need to supply materials?+
Usually. Most bring tools and basic fixings but expect you to provide the parts. If they buy, expect cost plus a small amount for sourcing time.
How long do small jobs actually take?+
Longer than people expect. Putting up three shelves properly, level and into the right fixings, is not a ten-minute job — so allow realistic time rather than assuming a list of 'quick' tasks fits in an hour.
Ready to get it done?
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