Hiring guides and cost advice
Straight-talking UK guides on hiring trades and services and what jobs cost. Free to read, like the whole of GotAPal.
What jobs cost
UK prices for common jobs, so you can judge a quote.
How much does an electrician cost in the UK?
Hourly and day rates, call-out fees, and prices for rewires, fuse boards and EICRs, so you can spot a fair quote.
Read guide →How much does a house extension cost in the UK?
Per-m² prices for single and double-storey extensions, what pushes the cost up, and how to compare builder quotes.
Read guide →How much does a new roof cost in the UK?
Price per m² by roof type, scaffolding and disposal, and repair vs replacement, so you can judge a fair roofing quote.
Read guide →How much does a carpenter cost in the UK?
Hourly and day rates, and prices for doors, fitted wardrobes, skirting and staircases, so you can judge a fair quote.
Read guide →How much does a painter and decorator cost in the UK?
Day rates, per-room and whole-house prices, and why prep is the real cost, so you can compare decorating quotes.
Read guide →How much does plastering cost in the UK?
Cost per m² for skimming and re-plastering, per-room prices and day rates, so you can judge a fair plastering quote.
Read guide →How much does a plumber cost in the UK?
Typical hourly and day rates, call-out fees and job prices, each with its source and date, so you can tell a fair quote at a glance.
Read guide →Emergency locksmith call-out prices in the UK
What an emergency locksmith should actually cost, the classic call-out con to watch for, and how to find a trustworthy local one.
Read guide →How much does a new boiler cost in the UK?
Combi, system and conventional boiler prices, what installation adds, and how to compare Gas Safe quotes.
Read guide →How much does a new bathroom cost in the UK?
Small, mid and luxury fit-out prices, the labour versus materials split, and what pushes a bathroom budget up.
Read guide →How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK?
Budget, mid-range and high-end kitchen costs, fitting versus units, worktops and appliances.
Read guide →How much does a driveway cost in the UK?
Block paving, resin, tarmac and gravel prices per m², the drainage rules, and how to spot a fair quote.
Read guide →How much does a loft conversion cost in the UK?
Rooflight, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard prices, what adds cost, plus planning and building control.
Read guide →For businesses on GotAPal
Listing, claiming, and how GotAPal makes money.
How GotAPal works
Search by trade and area, contact a Pal directly, and pay however suits you. Here's how it all works.
Read guide →How to claim your business on GotAPal (and why it's free)
Claim your free listing, manage your profile and get a free digital touchpoint. No lead fees, ever.
Read guide →How does GotAPal make money if it's free?
Free to list, free to be contacted, no lead fees. Here is the honest model, and how it differs from the rest.
Read guide →What is a Trusted Pal? What we check, and what we don't yet
We only badge what we have checked, and those checks are still being built. How to check a trade yourself in the meantime.
Read guide →Free trade listing vs paying for leads
Membership, pay per lead or credits: how trade sites charge you, and how a free GotAPal listing compares.
Read guide →How to get more work as a tradesperson in the UK
Practical ways to win more work: a strong profile, genuine reviews, fast replies, and a free touchpoint.
Read guide →Running a business
The regular contracts and checks a small business needs, each linked to the official guidance.
Hiring well
Quotes, insurance, checks and red flags.
Questions to ask before hiring a builder
A few sharp questions up front tell you a lot about who you're dealing with, and save you grief later. Here's what to ask.
Read guide →How to avoid cowboy roofers
Roofing attracts more than its share of cowboys. Here's how to spot the warning signs and find a roofer you can trust.
Read guide →What insurance should a tradesperson have?
Public liability, employers' liability and more, what a professional should carry, why it matters, and how to check before you hire.
Read guide →Gas Safe vs general handyman work: what's the difference?
When you legally need a Gas Safe engineer and when a handyman will do, plus how to check that ID card properly.
Read guide →Quote vs estimate vs invoice: what's the difference?
These words get used loosely, but the difference decides whether you're protected if the final bill comes in high. The plain-English version.
Read guide →Do I need three quotes?
"Always get three quotes" is useful advice, most of the time. Here's when it genuinely helps, when it's overkill, and how to compare properly.
Read guide →How to ask a tradesperson for a quote
The clearer your request, the more accurate the price. Here's exactly what to tell a tradesperson, plus a message template you can copy.
Read guide →How to hire a tradesperson you can trust
Reviews, insurance, written quotes, sensible payment terms, a simple checklist for choosing someone good and avoiding the cowboys.
Read guide →