Running a small business in the UK means managing growth while keeping costs down. Many owners ask the same question: how can I save time without overspending? A virtual personal assistant service is often the answer. But what does a virtual personal assistant cost, and is it worth it?
Yes, it is worth it. If you want to hire a VA from the UK, it will cost significantly more than hiring a virtual personal assistant from the Philippines.
The Cost of Hiring a Virtual Assistant in the UK
Hiring a virtual assistant UK based can be expensive. Freelancers and agencies often charge by the hour, with rates ranging from £35 per hour to £50 per hour, depending on specialisation and experience. If you buy a retainer package, a set number of hours per month, those packages can still add up to several thousand pounds annually. A virtual assistant agency in the UK that charges one fixed monthly fee avoids the hourly meter.
For example, if a UK-based executive assistant charges £35 per hour and you need 40 hours of work per month, your monthly support cost is already £1,400. That excludes extra hours, project management add-ons, or urgent turnaround fees. Some VA services, like Timeetc, operate on retainer bundles where you pre-pay for a set number of hours, but if your workload goes over, you pay more.
This model can work for specific tasks or content writing projects, but costs climb fast for ongoing administrative services like inbox management, data entry, social media management, or PowerPoint presentation preparation.
The Filipino Advantage: Cost-Effective and Skilled
Now compare that with the cost of living in the Philippines, which allows highly skilled professionals to provide the same level of service at a fraction of the cost. At Teambuild Consultancy, our simple pricing starts at:
- £500 per month for part-time VA support
- £800 to £900 per month for full-time, fully dedicated virtual assistants (see our full virtual assistant service pricing)
This is not a per-hour rate. It is a flat monthly fee for consistent, reliable support. Instead of worrying about how many hours per week you have prepaid or whether you have used up your monthly hours, you get peace of mind knowing your VA is dedicated to your business needs.
Our Filipino VAs are not task-chasers or freelancers juggling multiple clients. They are personal assistants who become part of your daily workflow, handling administrative tasks from your to-do list, supporting project management, managing your invoices, or providing email support. The savings can be dramatic. Many of our clients cut their admin costs by 60 to 70 percent compared with hiring in-house or working with UK-based VA agencies.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
For a small business in the UK, hiring staff is one of the biggest overheads. An in-house PA might cost over £32,000 annually, plus pensions, tax, and office space. By contrast, a remote executive assistant from the Philippines can provide the same level of support for under £11,000 per year. That is not just a saving. It is of real value.
When your VA services are tailored to suit your company’s specific tasks, you get value for money while also achieving the flexibility to scale up when needed. Whether it is 20 hours per week or full-time coverage, we personalise the support to your workload, giving you the peace of mind that your to-do list is under control.
Final Thoughts: Cost-Effective Support That Delivers
Hiring a VA is no longer a luxury. It is necessary for many UK entrepreneurs who want to compete, grow, and save time. The cost of hiring through traditional UK routes often means paying premium hourly rates or committing to rigid retainer packages. With TeamBuild Consultancy, you avoid the pitfalls of charge-by-the-hour models and get dedicated support that is both professional and cost-effective.
Looking for a virtual assistant you can rely on? Teambuild’s UK virtual assistant services give you a dedicated remote specialist, a named Customer Success Manager and simple onboarding. Hand off the admin that slows you down, and get your time back for the work that grows your business.
