What Does a Virtual Assistant Actually Cost? (And Is It Worth It?)

If you've been thinking about hiring a virtual assistant but haven't taken the step yet, the cost question is probably sitting somewhere in the back of your mind. How much does it actually cost? And will it make a difference to your business?

These are completely reasonable things to want to know before making any decision. So let me be straightforward about it — because I think once you see the full picture, the answer might surprise you.

What do virtual assistants charge?

In the UK, virtual assistant rates typically range from around £25 to £60 per hour depending on the level of experience, the type of tasks involved, and the location. London-based VAs with specialist industry knowledge tend to sit at the higher end of that range — and for good reason.

At Assists VA, admin support starts from £35 per hour, with no minimum commitment and no long-term contracts. You can use as many or as few hours as you need.

For ongoing monthly support, many clients find that even 5–10 hours per month makes a meaningful difference — that's anywhere from £175 to £350 per month at that rate.

How does that compare to hiring someone?

This is where the real comparison gets interesting. When people think about the cost of a VA, they often compare it directly to an hourly employee rate. But that's not an accurate comparison.

When you hire a member of staff, the hourly rate is just the beginning:

True cost of a part-time admin employee vs a VA

Employer's National Insurance Employee only

Pension contributions Employee only

Holiday pay (28 days statutory) Employee only

Sick pay Employee only

Equipment, software, desk space Employee only

Recruitment costs Employee only

Pay for hours not worked Employee only

Cover when they're off sick or on holiday Employee only

With a VA, you pay only for the hours worked. No extras, no employment obligations, no surprises. For many small businesses, especially those that don't have a consistent need for full-time admin support, this is a much more cost-effective way to get reliable, professional help.

But is it actually worth it?

Here's the question behind the question. The cost is one thing — but is the return there?

Let's think about it this way. If your time as a business owner is worth £50, £75, or £100 an hour — and you're spending 10 hours a week on admin you could delegate — that's £500 to £1,000 worth of your time going on tasks that someone else could handle for a fraction of that.

The return isn't just in time saved. It's in:

Faster quotes — which means winning more work
Invoices sent on time — which means getting paid faster
Enquiries answered promptly — which means not losing potential clients
A more professional image — which builds trust and reputation
Mental space to focus on what you do best — which is priceless

For the clients I work with across London and Essex — from trades businesses to property professionals to small business owners — the feedback is consistent: the value is clear from the first few weeks.

How do you know if you're ready for a VA?

The honest answer: if you're asking the question, you probably are. The people who reach out to me are usually at a point where something is slipping — admin is piling up, they're working evenings and weekends to catch up, or they know they're losing business because they can't keep on top of everything.

You don't need to have it all figured out before you get in touch. That's what the discovery call is for — to talk through what your business actually needs and whether a VA is the right fit.