Price Work vs Day Rate: Don’t Let Your Builder Turn Your Job into a Blank Cheque

If I had a pound for every time I heard “I’m on a price!” on a building site… I’d probably have enough for a really great family trip to Mexico. It used to drive me up the wall. But now? I actually love price work at home.

Why? Because when someone’s working to a set price, they’re motivated.

They want to:

• Get in

• Do the job

• Do it right (if you’ve vetted them properly)

• And move on

It works in your favour as long as it’s handled properly.

💷 What Is Price Work?

It’s simple: Materials + Labour + Profit = The Price

And when done right, price work protects everyone:

• The tradesperson gets clarity and targets.

• The homeowner gets a fixed cost.

• And there’s no hourly clock ticking in the background.

  
  

But here’s the catch — you need a build methodology. Otherwise, how do you know what the price includes?

📑 Before You Accept a Price, Get the Details Right

Before you say yes to a price, you must know what’s included. Not just vague “labour and bits” — but the actual method they’re using.

Ask them:

• Do they have a trade specification?

• How many skips are included?

• Who’s disposing of the waste?

• What happens if they hit rock during digging?

• Are materials being delivered or picked up?

  
  

Don’t assume anything, because trust me, I’ve made that mistake.

🙈 Personal Horror Story: The One-Skip Wonder

We had a landscaper come do our garden. Lovely guy. Sent a WhatsApp quote. My husband agreed the work with someone he once called a friend and I didn’t question it. Job starts, turns out he only allowed one skip for the entire job.

One skip. For a full garden rip-out. I was mortified. And worse? I should have known better.

Lesson learned: WhatsApp quotes aren’t contracts.

If you’re agreeing a price get it in writing via email, line by line.

👀 What About Daywork?

Now, this is where things get sticky.

If someone says: “I’ll charge for materials and just do the labour on a day rate…” Be cautious.

That can work, but it can also turn into a free-for-all.

❓Questions to Ask About Daywork:

1. What constitutes a full day?

   Is it 8–4 with a lunch break? Or do they rock up at 10 and leave at 2?

   You need to agree the hours before anyone starts.

2. Do you charge a half-day rate?

   If they leave before 1pm, is that still full price? (It shouldn’t be.)

3. How many days do you think it’ll take?

   If they can answer this — they could’ve just given you a fixed labour price. So why didn’t they?

4. Will you track and sign off hours daily?

   If they’re working on a day rate, you have a right to verify every single day before paying.

🧯Red Flag Alert: Day Rate = Blank Cheque (If You Let It)

Some trades see daywork as an open cheque book. And if they don’t have the next job lined up? They might stretch yours out to fill the time. Don’t let that happen!

🧠 Vet Them Properly — Then Still Double Check

• Ask to see qualifications

• Check for a CSCS card

• Read reviews

• Stalk their socials

• Look for real-life before-and-afters

• Ask who actually does the work — is it them or someone they sub out to?

This is your money, your home, your risk. Don’t hand it over because someone talks a good game. Make sure they can walk the walk.

✅ Final Thought: Price Work Done Right = Power to You

I’d pick a clear, well-defined, itemised fixed-price quote over vague daywork every time.

Just make sure:

• The method is agreed

• All likely extras are discussed

• You get it in writing, not just WhatsApp

• They offer you a 14 day cancellation period.

Because once the job starts, it’s too late to go back and argue about what you thought was included.

📢 Want a downloadable checklist for hiring a tradesperson on price work or daywork? Let me know. I’ll build it for you.

📹 I’ll also be talking more about this on @TheUnfilteredFemaleSiteManager