How to Price Joinery Work UK: Rates for Doors, Stairs, Wardrobes and More (2026)

Quick Answer

Joinery labour rates in the UK range from £80-150 to hang a single internal door up to £1,500-3,500 in labour for a like-for-like staircase replacement. Fitted wardrobes run £350-1,800 per linear metre depending on material quality and interior specification. The most reliable approach is to price each job on a fixed-price basis after a site visit, applying a 15-25% markup on materials and a 5-10% contingency for unknowns.

How Joiners Should Structure Their Pricing

Joinery pricing needs to cover three things: your labour at a rate that reflects your skill and overheads, materials at a sell price that includes your markup, and a contingency for the unexpected. Unlike reactive trades such as plumbing or electrical, most joinery work is planned in advance, which means you can quote fixed prices on well-defined specifications. This is generally better for both parties: the customer knows the total cost upfront, and you can plan your time without the uncertainty of an hourly rate dispute at the end of the job.

The most common mistake joiners make when pricing is quoting too quickly from a description or photo. A site visit before quoting is essential for any significant job. The condition of existing frames, the method of wall construction (stud versus solid masonry), the sub-floor, and access all affect how long a job takes. A door hang that takes two hours in a new-build timber-frame property can take four hours in a Victorian solid-brick terrace with unlevel floors and bowed walls.

When building your pricing structure, start with your hourly rate. A self-employed joiner in the UK needs to earn enough to cover not just wages but also tools, insurance, vehicle costs, accountancy, and the time spent quoting and travelling. The true cost of running a sole-trader joinery business is typically 30-40% above the headline labour rate. If you want to take home £40,000 per year, your charge out rate needs to reflect roughly £55,000-60,000 in revenue once you account for non-billable time, holidays, and business costs.

Materials pricing is the other key component. Most experienced joiners apply a 15-25% markup on trade prices for standard joinery materials including timber, MDF sheet, ironmongery, and fixings. This markup compensates for the time spent sourcing, collecting, and managing materials, as well as the cash flow impact of buying materials before being paid. Always quote your sell price on invoices and quotes, not your trade price.

For guidance on presenting your pricing professionally to customers, the how to write a quote as a tradesman guide covers structure, exclusions, and payment terms in detail.

Door Hanging Prices UK 2026

Hanging an internal door is one of the most common joinery jobs and one of the most variable in terms of time. Labour rates for door hanging in 2026 cover a wide range depending on door type, wall construction, and whether you are supplying materials. Here are the standard benchmarks:

These figures assume a straightforward opening with a standard door size (762mm x 1981mm or 838mm x 1981mm) in good condition. Factors that push the price up include: solid masonry walls requiring chopping out to seat the frame, non-standard door sizes needing custom cutting or specialist sourcing, existing frame removal and disposal, and patching and making good around the architrave after fitting. If the opening is in a listed building or requires a non-standard fire rating, both the material cost and the time involved increase significantly.

In London and the South East, expect to add 25-35% to these figures. A door hang that costs £120 in labour in the Midlands will typically cost £150-160 in London. For multi-door contracts such as a full house fit-out for a developer, you can expect to negotiate a lower per-door rate in exchange for volume, but factor in that developer work often involves more doors per visit and faster expected turnaround times.

Always visit before quoting, particularly in older properties. Victorian and Edwardian terraces frequently have doorways that are out of square by 10-15mm, which adds significant time to trimming and fitting the door leaf. A photo cannot show you floor level, wall plumb, or the condition of an existing lining that you may be asked to reuse.

Fitted Wardrobe Prices UK 2026

Fitted wardrobes are quoted either per linear metre or as a fixed price for a defined specification. The key variables are material quality, door type, and interior fitment. Prices in 2026 across the main categories:

For a standard 3-metre double wardrobe with sliding doors, budget £1,200-2,400 for mid-range quality. Always quote the interior specification in detail: number of rails, number of shelves, drawer units, and whether the customer is supplying or you are sourcing. Interior fitment can add £200-600 to the total cost depending on complexity. A wardrobe with five drawers, two hanging rails at different heights, and integrated LED lighting is a very different job from a basic carcass with a single rail.

The customer frequently underestimates the interior cost. Set their expectations during the site visit by walking through the specification item by item. If they want drawer inserts, soft-close mechanisms, or internal lighting, these all add to the material cost and the time required. A bespoke wardrobe with all these features in a quality painted MDF finish can easily reach £1,500-2,500 for a 3-metre run, which is a reasonable price for the level of craft involved.

For guidance on applying the right materials markup on sheet materials and ironmongery for fitted furniture jobs, see the full materials guide. Fitted wardrobe jobs involve substantial material spend relative to labour, so the markup element can be significant. On a £1,000 materials job, a 20% markup adds £200 to your gross margin before you consider profit on labour.

For a customer-facing breakdown of what fitted wardrobes cost, the fitted wardrobe cost guide covers the same price ranges from the customer perspective and can help you set realistic expectations before the site visit.

Staircase Work Prices UK 2026

Staircases are among the most complex and highest-value joinery jobs available to a skilled joiner. The price range is wide because the scope varies enormously: from replacing individual treads to installing a bespoke hardwood and glass staircase in a high-end residential project. Price by scope:

Always check Building Regulations when quoting any staircase work. The key requirements are: minimum tread depth of 220mm, maximum riser height of 220mm, handrail heights between 900mm and 1,000mm on a staircase and 1,100mm on a landing, and balustrade spacing with no gap exceeding 100mm (the child safety rule). In a listed building or conservation area, obtain approval from the relevant authority before quoting any structural staircase work, as you may be required to match existing materials or profiles.

The removal of an existing staircase adds a significant amount of time and cost to a replacement job. In a standard mid-terrace house the staircase may be plastered in, with the strings embedded into the wall. Removing it cleanly without damaging surrounding plaster or the floor takes 4-8 hours in itself. Include removal, disposal, and making good in your quote as separate line items so the customer understands what is involved.

Always measure the opening precisely before ordering materials or quoting a fixed price. The pitch, total rise, and available headroom dictate the stringer length and tread count. A staircase that appears standard from a photograph may have a non-standard floor-to-floor height requiring custom-cut strings or a different tread count than Building Regulations would normally expect.

For a customer-facing cost breakdown, the staircase replacement cost guide covers typical prices from the homeowner perspective and can be useful when setting expectations before producing a formal quote.

Skirting, Architrave and Second Fix Joinery

Second fix joinery is often priced per linear metre for skirting and architrave, or as a fixed day rate job when the scope is a complete house. Standard rates in 2026:

For a full house second fix in a three-bed semi including skirting, architrave, and door hanging, a joiner working alone will typically take 3-5 days. On a fixed-price basis, measure all rooms and count door sets before quoting. Relying on floor plans without visiting the property is a common source of underquoting: plans rarely show bay windows, step-down areas, or unusual room shapes that add linear metre runs of skirting that were not anticipated.

In new-build developer work, second fix joinery is often priced per plot rather than per linear metre. Developers will typically have standard specs: MDF ogee skirting at a specific height, standard door sets, and no window boards in some specifications. If you are quoting for multiple plots, negotiate a rate that accounts for the repetitive nature of the work while still covering your costs accurately.

Internal corner joints are one of the most time-consuming parts of skirting and architrave fitting, particularly where walls are out of plumb or floors are uneven. Scribing to a wall that is not straight takes considerably longer than butt joints or mitre joints in a square room. Factor this into your time estimate, particularly on renovation work in older properties where no wall is likely to be perfectly plumb or level.

Quoting Tips for Joiners

Always visit before quoting. Photographs are insufficient for joinery pricing because you cannot assess wall condition, floor level, existing fixings, or access until you are on site. A 15-minute site visit before quoting saves hours of remedial work and difficult conversations after the job. If a customer refuses a site visit and insists on a quote from photos, either decline or add a significant contingency to cover the unknowns you cannot assess remotely.

Break your quote into sections the customer can understand: materials (listed at your sell price), labour (by task rather than by day), and any subcontracted work such as plastering for making good after frame installation. A clear, itemised quote wins more jobs than a single number because it demonstrates that you understand the scope and have thought through the detail. Customers who receive a clear quote with line items are also less likely to dispute the final invoice.

Include your exclusions explicitly. Common exclusions for joinery jobs: making good plasterwork after door frame installation, painting and decorating after joinery, disposal of existing doors or staircases (unless quoted separately), and any structural work required to create or enlarge an opening. These are the areas most likely to cause post-job disputes. State them clearly in the quote so there is no ambiguity about what is and is not included in your price.

Use the profit margin calculator to check that your quoted price delivers the margin you need after materials and labour costs. It is easy to underprice joinery jobs when you are estimating quickly, particularly on bespoke work where material costs are harder to predict without detailed measurement and supplier quotes.

Quote with a 30-day validity. Timber and sheet material prices have been volatile in recent years and your diary changes. State the validity period on every quote and reserve the right to reprice after the expiry date. If a customer comes back to accept a quote three months after it was issued, reprice it before confirming the booking. You are not obliged to honour a quote that has expired, particularly if material costs have moved significantly.

For a full breakdown of how to structure your day rate and what you should be earning as a self-employed joiner, see the carpenter and joiner day rate guide. Getting the foundation rate right is the most important step in building a pricing structure that delivers a sustainable income.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge to hang a door as a joiner?

Hanging an internal door costs £80-150 in labour, with the full job including supply of door, frame, architrave, and ironmongery typically running £250-500. External doors take longer due to weather sealing and security hardware, with labour alone at £150-250. In London, add 25-35% to these figures to reflect regional rates. Always quote per door after viewing the opening, as non-standard sizes, solid masonry walls, and the condition of any existing frame all affect the time required significantly.

How do I price fitted wardrobes as a joiner?

Fitted wardrobes are typically priced per linear metre or as a fixed price for a defined specification. A basic fitted wardrobe with sliding doors runs £400-600 per linear metre installed, including materials. Bespoke hand-built wardrobes in quality timber cost £800-1,500 per linear metre. Always establish the interior layout (number of shelves, hanging rails, drawers) before quoting, as the internal fitment often costs as much as the carcass itself. Quote a fixed price rather than a day rate for fitted furniture jobs, and list the interior specification as line items so the customer can see exactly what they are getting for the price.

What is the average joiner day rate for quoting purposes?

Self-employed joiners in the UK charge £150-280 per day in 2026 depending on experience and region. London joiners charge £200-350 per day. For quoting purposes, convert this to an hourly rate by dividing the day rate by 6-7 billable hours, then apply it to your estimated hours per task. Add 15-20% markup on materials and a 5-10% contingency on top of your labour cost. The day rate alone is not sufficient for quoting purposes: you also need to account for non-billable time, travel, and the admin involved in running your business.

Should I quote joinery jobs as fixed price or day rate?

Fixed price works best for well-defined jobs where the specification is agreed before work starts: fitting a specific door and frame, installing a defined wardrobe spec, or replacing a staircase balustrade to a set design. Day rate is more appropriate for renovation work where hidden conditions are likely, such as replacing a staircase in an older property where the sub-floor condition is unknown until you start. If you quote fixed price on a job with significant unknowns, include a contingency and state your exclusions clearly. Always note any exclusions in writing, as this protects you if additional work is required once the job is underway.

How much should I add for materials markup on joinery jobs?

A markup of 15-25% on trade prices is standard for joinery materials. Timber, sheet materials, and ironmongery all qualify for markup. Add 10% wastage on timber (off-cuts) and 5-10% on sheet materials when calculating your cost. For bespoke or made-to-measure items with longer lead times and specification risk, a higher markup of 20-30% is justified. Always base your sell price on your trade price, not retail, and do not show the trade price on customer invoices or quotes. The markup compensates for the time and cash flow involved in sourcing, collecting, and managing materials on each job.

How do I price a staircase replacement as a joiner?

A like-for-like staircase replacement in a standard mid-terrace house costs £1,500-3,500 in labour, including removal of the existing staircase. Materials for a standard softwood staircase add £800-2,000 to the total. Supply-and-fit costs therefore run £2,500-6,000 for a straightforward replacement. Bespoke hardwood or open-tread staircases cost significantly more, with bespoke work often reaching £5,000-15,000 supply and fit. Always view the existing staircase and measure accurately before quoting, as the floor-to-floor height, opening size, and available headroom all dictate the stringer dimensions and may require a custom manufactured staircase.

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