How many billable days are in a year?

Far fewer than 365. After weekends, holiday, illness, and unpaid time spent quoting, travelling and doing admin, many self-employed tradespeople bill around 200–230 days a year. Charging as if you work every weekday is the most common pricing mistake.

Should I include tax in my rate?

Yes. The rate you charge must cover your take-home pay, your business costs, and the Income Tax and National Insurance you will owe. Set money aside from every invoice for your tax bill.

Free pricing tool

Day Rate & Hourly Rate Calculator

Not sure what to charge? Enter what you want to take home and your costs — we'll suggest a realistic day rate and hourly rate.

Target take-home pay (per year)

Annual business costs (tools, van, insurance…)

Set aside for tax & NI (% of income)

Billable days per year (after holiday, admin…)

Billable hours in a working day

You need to bill

£0

Suggested day rate
£0

Suggested hourly rate
£0

A starting point, not tax advice — adjust for your area, demand and the value of the work.

How to price your time

Most tradespeople undercharge because they price against the hours they work rather than the hours they can actually bill. Weekends, holidays, illness, quoting, travelling and paperwork all eat into the year.

This calculator works backwards from the life you want: take the take-home pay you need, add your business costs, gross it up for the tax you'll owe, then spread it across the days you can realistically charge for.

Tips

Be honest about billable days — 220 is typical, not 260.
Always quote materials separately from labour.
Put your tax money aside the moment you're paid, so it's never a shock.

Rate calculator FAQs

How do I work out my day rate? +

Add your target take-home to your annual costs, gross it up for tax, then divide by your billable days. Divide that by working hours for an hourly rate.

How many billable days in a year? +

Usually 200–230 once you remove weekends, holiday, sickness and unpaid quoting/admin time.

Should my rate include tax? +

Yes — your rate must cover take-home, costs, and Income Tax + National Insurance. Set tax money aside from every invoice.

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