What is a Fair Hourly Rate for Trades in Gauteng? A 2026 Snapshot
Indicative hourly and callout rates across plumbing, electrical, HVAC, cleaning and handyman work in Joburg and Pretoria. Use it as a starting point, not a ceiling.
Pricing varies by suburb, callout distance, and whether you are booking after-hours. These are indicative ranges we see across Handi in Gauteng — a starting point for your own negotiation.
Callout fees (within 15km)
- Plumber: R350 - R650
- Electrician: R400 - R750
- HVAC / aircon: R500 - R900
- Handyman: R250 - R500
Hourly rates
- General plumbing: R350 - R550/hr
- Qualified electrician: R450 - R700/hr
- HVAC specialist: R550 - R850/hr
- Cleaning: R150 - R250/hr per cleaner
- Painter: R250 - R450/hr (or R80-R140/m² flat)
When to expect a premium
Evenings, weekends and public holidays are typically 1.5× - 2× the base rate. Emergency callouts (a burst pipe at 22:00) can be more. Ask about after-hours pricing before agreeing to an urgent job.
When to walk away from a quote
Anything more than 40% above these ranges deserves a second quote. Anything more than 30% below probably means the pro will try to upsell on arrival — or disappear with a deposit.
Tip: Handi's messaging lets you share the same job brief with up to three providers at once. Getting three comparable quotes takes 10 minutes and usually saves 15-25% on the final price.