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How much do self-employed plumbers make in the UK?
If you’re a skilled plumber with years of experience under your belt, you may have considered the potential of starting a business of your own. Starting a self-employed plumbing venture can hold great opportunities that are not accessible with other types of employment.
One of the great benefits of starting a plumbing business is the financial freedom that comes with being your own boss. To an extent, you’ll have the flexibility to set your own rates, choose your clients, and take on the type of work that aligns with your skills.
But what will this financial freedom mean for you? Join us as we explore how much self-employed plumbers can make in the UK, broken down by hour, day and month.
Let’s explore first what plumbers earn in a general sense.
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How much does a plumber make?
The amount you can earn as a plumber differs depending on your level of experience and where you are located.
According to the National Careers Service, the average annual salary for newly qualified plumbers tends to be around £21,000. With more experience, plumbers can earn significantly higher wages. Experienced plumbers typically make about £40,000 per year.
However, there are exceptions. Plumbers with specialist qualifications, like those working on gas appliances, who can command higher rates.
Naturally, these figures also fluctuate based on regional demand and availability of skilled plumbers. In areas where there’s a shortage of qualified plumbers, businesses may offer higher wages to attract talent, especially for those with advanced skills or certifications.
Plumber earnings per hour
For newly qualified plumbers, hourly rates usually start around £16-18 per hour, depending on location and demand. With more experience, rates tend to rise to £20-25 per hour. For highly skilled or self-employed plumbers, hourly rates can range anywhere from £40 to £50, especially for those with specialist qualifications or who run their own business.
Plumber earnings per day
Daily earnings vary depending on how many hours are worked, but typically, newly qualified plumbers can expect to make around £130-150 per day.
Experienced plumbers working a full day might earn £170-200 per day.
Self-employed plumbers who charge higher rates often make £350-400 per day.
Plumber earnings per month
Monthly earnings for plumbers also fluctuate based on workload. A newly qualified plumber might bring in £2,500-3,000 per month, while experienced plumbers employed full-time can earn £3,500-4,000.
Sole traders or business owners, who charge premium rates and take on a higher volume of work, can make £7,000-8,000 per month or more, depending on how much work they take on.
So, with these figures in mind, can you really earn more as a self-employed plumber?
Can you earn more as a self-employed plumber?
Based on current data presented, it appears that many self-employed plumbers may earn more than those employed by companies. However, this can vary significantly depending on the progress of your business, as well as the specific circumstances of your setup.
As a self-employed plumber, you have the ability to set your own rates, take on as much or as little work as you want, and manage your schedule to suit your business goals.
This means that, while employed plumbers might be limited to an hourly wage or salary, self-employed plumbers can take home a larger portion of their earnings after covering business expenses. In particular, self-employed plumbers that cover specialised services, such as gas installation, boiler repairs, or advanced plumbing systems, may benefit financially from being able to charge higher rates.
However, it is worth noting that while the potential for higher earnings is there, self-employment also comes with additional responsibilities. These may include covering costs for tools, insurance, and business expenses.
Is there a high demand for plumbers in the UK?
There’s little doubt that plumbing is in high demand across the UK. This is not only because it is an indispensable utility service, but also because the current plumbing infrastructure for plumbing is ageing, and in many places requires upgrading.
According to the UK Trade Skills Index 2023, the UK needs 73,700 new plumbers by 2032 to address the growing skills gap in the construction sector.
Indeed, there is also a growing demand for plumbers with specialised skills, such as gas-safe registered professionals.
How can I increase my earning potential as a plumber?
To increase your earning potential as a plumber, there are a number of steps you can take. In short, you could try making your services more valuable, and you could develop your reputation as a highly certified and trusted plumber.
For instance, you could consider focusing on specialised areas such as gas installation, bathroom renovations, or renewable energy systems. This can help you command higher rates and attract more clients.
As part of this, gaining additional qualifications and certifications can also enhance your skill set.
To enhance your reputation with your customer base and beyond, you’ll want to exhibit excellent customer service and quality workmanship. In the process, you’ll receive positive reviews, both online and in-person, which can help to bring in new custom.
What self-employed tax deductions are plumbers entitled to?
Plumbers can claim various self-employed tax deductions to reduce their taxable income. Understanding what qualifies as an allowable expense will be beneficial in maximising these deductions.
Tax deductions for self-employed plumbers include:
1. Tools and Equipment: Plumbers can deduct the cost of purchasing and maintaining tools and equipment necessary for their trade. This includes hand tools, power tools, and machinery used for plumbing work.
2. Vehicle Expenses: If you use a vehicle for business purposes, you can claim expenses related to fuel, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle tax. Plumbers can also choose to use simplified expenses, which allows them to claim a flat rate per mile driven for business purposes.
3. Home Office Costs: For plumbers who work from home, a portion of household bills, such as utilities and internet costs, can be claimed as business expenses. This is calculated based on the proportion of your home used for business.
4. Business Running Costs: This includes expenses like rent for a workshop, office supplies, and materials needed for plumbing jobs. Additionally, any costs associated with advertising your services can also be claimed.
5. Insurance Premiums: Plumbers can deduct the costs of various insurance policies, including public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. This protects them from potential claims made by clients.
6. Training and Certification Costs: If you incur expenses for training or certification courses to enhance your plumbing skills, these costs can also be claimed as allowable expenses.
7. Professional Fees: Any fees paid to accountants, trade associations, or legal advisors related to your plumbing business can be deducted.
8. Bank and Financial Charges: Interest on business loans, bank charges, and other financial expenses incurred in running your plumbing business can also be claimed.
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That’s where QuickBooks comes in. Our intuitive accounting software is the perfect way to streamline your finances and ensure you stay on top of your finances. It allows you to create professional invoices, connect to your bank seamlessly, and maintain control over your cash flow.
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The information on this website is provided free of charge and is intended to be helpful to a wide range of businesses. Because of its general nature the information cannot be taken as comprehensive and they do not constitute and should never be used as a substitute for legal, accounting, tax or professional advice. We cannot guarantee that the information applies to the individual circumstances of your business. Despite our best efforts it is possible that some information may be out of date. Any reliance you place on information found on this site or linked to on other websites will be at your own risk.
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