So, your agency has landed that shiny new client. The script’s ready, visuals are looking sharp, and then comes the inevitable question: “How much is the voiceover going to cost?”
If only there were a neat, one-size-fits-all answer. The truth is, UK voiceover rates vary depending on a whole range of factors: project type, usage, duration, and—crucially—the experience of the voice you hire.
This blog will give you a clear sense of what to budget for different kinds of projects, plus a reality check on why the cheapest option isn’t always the smartest investment.
The two parts behind every quote: session and usage
Professional voiceover quotes usually break down into two main elements:
- Basic studio/session fee (BSF) – the cost of recording, editing, and delivering the files. (My BSF is £300 by the way.)
- Usage/licence fee – the cost of using the recording, which depends on where and how it will be heard (internal only vs. national TV ad, for example) and for how long. Because having a voice heard across TV or social is more “valuable” than internal training, and that needs proper compensation.
So when a client asks you “How much will the voiceover be?”, remember that size isn’t everything! The script may be short, but the price is really driven by how the audio will be used. And there are so many different types of voiceover job – and this is where it can get complicated.
What drives the cost of a voiceover? (Or, why your “cheap voiceover” sometimes comes back to bite)
Here are the biggest factors that influence the price:
- Length and word count: A two-minute internal explainer is cheaper than a 10-hour audiobook. But a 60 second TV ad can be as much as a decent new car!
- Usage and reach: Internal training? Modest fee. National TV ad? You’ll need broadcast licensing. There’s a simple algorithm based on TVRs.
- Complexity and style: Technical scripts, medical narration, multiple characters, or niche accents need more prep.
- Turnaround speed: Rush jobs usually come with rush rates.
- Revisions and retakes: A pro like me will include fair revisions, but extensive rewrites aren’t free.
- Studio vs home setup: If I use my own professional home studio (as I do) it lowers overheads for you vs booking big studios.
- Experience and quality: You’re paying not just for a voice, but for reliability, consistency, experience and the ability to nail the read first time. Trust me, it adds real value.
Sample UK voiceover rates (ballpark figures you can whisper to your clients!)
Here’s a rough idea of what different types of projects might cost in the UK market. These aren’t rigid rules, but they give you solid benchmarks for client discussions:
| Project type | Typical pricing model | Approx range / notes |
| Corporate / internal video narration | Session fee | BSF from £300 |
| Online / explainer / web video | Session + usage uplift | BSF plus usage starting around £150+ |
| E-learning / training modules | Per word or per finished minute | The longer the script, the lower the per word rate – £0.19 – £0.60 per word |
| IVR / phone prompts / on-hold | Session fee + prompt rate | From £50 minimum |
| Radio / TV commercials (broadcast) | Session + usage/licence | From £300 session + usage (varies by station/reach) |
| Audiobooks / narration | Per finished hour (PFH) | £85–£300 PFH depending on scope |
These ranges cover the “average” professional. Experienced, in-demand voices may charge more, and rightly so (more on that in a minute).
Price vs value: why the cheapest voice can be the most expensive mistake
Here’s where things get interesting. Clients often fixate on cost, but for agencies and most clients, what really matters is value. You’re not just buying a few minutes of recorded audio—you’re buying everything that comes with it.
Think about it this way:
- Experience saves you money: A pro can deliver the right tone in fewer takes, meaning less editing, fewer revisions, and faster project turnaround. Time saved = money saved.
- Cheap voices cost more in the long run: If the recording isn’t up to scratch, you may need to re-record with someone else, explain delays to your client, or worse—deliver subpar work. That “bargain” £50 read suddenly looks very expensive.
- Professionalism matters: Deadlines, consistent quality, file formats, availability. An amateur might leave you hanging; a pro voiceover artist won’t.
- Your client notices: A polished voiceover elevates the entire production. A ropey one can undermine all the great design and strategy work you’ve put in.
- Creative polish: The difference between “reads the words” and “makes your message land.”
- Peace of mind has value: Knowing the job will be done right the first time means you can focus on everything else your client needs.
So yes, you could get a cheaper voice from, say, a freelancer in a less saturated market. But there’s a reason some voices cost more—and why creative agencies and clients often prefer me:
FAQs agencies ask about voiceover pricing
Why do voiceovers cost so much for ads?
Because the reach (TV, radio, online campaigns) massively increases the value of the voice. A national ad that airs for months is very different to a one-off internal training video.
Isn’t there always someone who’ll do it cheaper?
Yes, but if they can’t deliver broadcast-quality audio on deadline—or if their performance falls flat—you’ll end up paying more to fix it. Plus, a pro knows how to approach the script with minimal direction and adds ideas and experience to the mix. My clients often come in with one idea, I offer my take – and that’s the one they use!
Can’t AI just do it now?
Synthetic voices exist, but they can’t capture nuance, humour, or subtle persuasion the way a real human can. If your client cares about brand identity (and they should), a professional voice is non-negotiable.
Tips for getting better value from your voiceover budget
- Be specific in the brief – usage, audience, tone, file format. Clear briefs save money.
- Bundle jobs – recording multiple scripts in one session keeps costs down.
- Plan ahead – avoid rush fees by scheduling voiceovers early in the project timeline.
- Ask for usage clarity – always confirm media, territory, and duration up front.
- Work with the same voice over time – long-term collaboration builds efficiency (and trust).
The bottom line: what’s a voiceover really worth?
So, how much does a voiceover cost? In the UK, a simple narration couple start around £200. A broadcast commercial could run into four figures with usage fees. An audiobook may be hundreds per finished hour.
But the real question isn’t “How much does it cost?” It’s “What’s the value of getting it right first time?”
A pro voiceover doesn’t just tick a budget line. It makes your client’s content sound credible, trustworthy, engaging—and by extension, it makes your agency look brilliant.
Why hire me?
I’m Claire Wyatt, a professional UK voiceover artist with 20+ years’ experience. I offer:
- Broadcast-quality recordings from my own studio.
- Versatility across corporate, commercial, e-learning, IVR, Gaming, Drama and more.
- Transparent pricing and clear usage rights (no nasty surprises).
- A friendly, reliable partnership with agencies who want to impress their clients.
In short: great value for money, because I bring the skills, speed, and professionalism that save you time, stress, and revisions.
If you’d like your next project to sound as good as it looks, drop me a line at claire@clairewyatt.com
Let’s make your client’s brand unforgettable—without the budget headaches.