Free check · 2026 UK rates · No sign-up
Is your tradesperson quote fair — or cowboy territory?
Enter the job, your region, and the quote you were given. We'll compare it against the 2026 UK median range and tell you straight: fair, high, or cowboy. Plus what to do next.
Higher if flue extension, gas-supply upgrade, or magnetic filter required.
Ranges are 2026 UK national medians adjusted for your region. They're guidance, not guarantees — every job has specific circumstances. Always get at least two quotes for non-emergency work.
Enter the quote amount to see how it compares to UK averages.
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Start free, forever →Why UK trade quotes vary so much for the same job
You ask three plumbers for a quote on the same boiler swap. You get £1,800, £2,600, and £4,200. The middle one is right, surely? Maybe — but not always for the reason you think.
Quote variance has three honest causes and one dishonest one. The honest ones: tradesperson cost structure (a financed van, full employee on books, and an accountant all add real cost that a sole trader doing his own books doesn't have); job-specific factors that one quoter spotted and another didn't (a listed-property flue routing requirement, restricted access, a premium boiler specification); and capacity (a busy tradesperson with a six-week backlog quotes higher because they don't need the work; a tradesperson wanting to fill the diary quotes lower).
The dishonest one: opportunistic pricing. Some tradespeople quote based on what they think the customer will accept rather than what the job costs to deliver. This is more common when the customer is visibly wealthy, when the job is urgent, when the customer hasn't got other quotes, or when the property is in an affluent postcode. The defence is simple: always get at least 2-3 quotes and compare against a neutral reference like the checker above.
What to do if the quote seems high
- Ask for a written breakdown of labour vs materials.
- Ask what registration they hold (Gas Safe, NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, SELECT).
- Ask for two recent customer references in your area.
- Get a second and third quote — make sure all three are quoting the same scope.
- If a quote is significantly above the UK median range, ask the tradesperson to explain. A legitimate quote will have legitimate reasons; a cowboy quote will get vague.
- Avoid suspiciously low quotes too — unregistered work on gas or electrical installations can void your insurance and create serious safety risks.
Frequently asked
- How can I tell if a UK tradesperson is overcharging me?
- Compare against the median UK range for that specific job in your region (use the checker above). Get at least two more quotes for any non-emergency work over £500. Ask for a written breakdown of labour vs materials — quotes that lump everything together are often where margins hide. Check that the tradesperson is properly registered for the work (Gas Safe for gas, NICEIC/NAPIT/ELECSA for electrical, FMB for building) — registered professionals charging market rate are almost always better value than unregistered tradespeople charging less.
- What's the average price for a boiler swap in the UK in 2026?
- A like-for-like combi boiler swap typically costs £1,800–£3,200 across most of the UK, rising to £2,400–£4,200 in London and the South East. System or regular boiler replacements cost more (£2,400–£4,500 nationally) because of cylinder work. Add 30–50% for listed properties or significant flue / gas-supply upgrade requirements.
- How much does an EICR cost in the UK?
- An EICR on a typical 3-bedroom home costs £150–£280 across most of the UK, with London running £200–£350. Higher prices are normal for Victorian or Edwardian housing stock with older fuse boards and concealed wiring, where the inspection takes longer. Consumer unit replacements (often recommended after an EICR) typically cost £500–£1,100 separately.
- What's a fair price for a single-storey extension in the UK?
- A single-storey rear extension of around 30m² typically costs £45,000–£90,000 across most of the UK, rising to £60,000–£140,000 in London and the South East. The range is wide because the foundation type, structural opening, kitchen specification, and finish quality vary enormously. Always get three quotes and ask each builder for a stage-payment schedule rather than a single lump.
- Why do quotes vary so much for the same job?
- Three main reasons. (1) Tradesperson costs vary — financed van vs owned, accountant vs DIY books, employee vs sole trader. (2) Job-specific factors — listed property, restricted access, premium materials, additional structural work. (3) Margin — busy tradespeople with more work than they need price higher; tradespeople wanting to fill diary space price lower. Always get at least 2-3 quotes and ask each one to break out labour, materials, and any specialist costs separately.
- Should I always go with the cheapest quote?
- No. Suspiciously low quotes often come from unregistered tradespeople, missing materials, or unsustainable margins that lead to corners being cut or work being abandoned. The right test isn't cheapest — it's value for money: are they properly registered for the work, can they show recent reviews or references, is the quote written clearly, and is it within (or close to) the typical UK range for the job? The middle quote of three is statistically the safest pick.
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