Labour Only
Labour only means you pay a subcontractor for their work alone. Someone else supplies the materials, usually you and sometimes the client. Supply-and-fit is different: the same trade also supplies what they install.
What it means
A labour-only price covers time and skill and nothing else. Someone has to buy the materials. On most jobs that is you, and sometimes it is the client. Decide that separately from the labour cost. Price and agree the two apart, and do not fold them into one guessed number.
Say it plainly on the day you agree a subcontractor’s price. It decides who carries the risk if a delivery is late or wrong. A labour-only helper is not responsible for materials they never touched before they reached site.
A tiler quotes labour only at a day rate. You buy and deliver the tiles and adhesive yourself. The tiler’s invoice to you covers only their time and skill for the day.
Agreeing a day rate with a subcontractor without saying who buys the materials. On site, both sides find out they each assumed the other one would.
See also
Where this shows up
Want this in one place?
BizBinder keeps quotes, jobs, invoices, and follow-ups in one binder.
You are on the list.
A person reads every request. You will hear from us within one business day.
- 01 A person reads your note — not a queue.
- 02 You get an invite as spots open.
- 03 Your admin starts filing itself.
The free library is open while you wait. Nothing in it needs an account.
- guide How to price a job so the number holds up The quote works only if its number works. Start with the price, then write it up.
- tool Free Quote & Estimate Generator Fill in your business and client details. Add line items, mark any as optional, and set a deposit. A clean quote builds as you type. Turn it into an invoice with one click.
- tool Quote & invoice terms builder Tick the clauses that fit the job and fill in your numbers once. You get a plain-English terms block. Copy it, print it, or send it into the quote generator.