Analysis by Hudson Contract shows average earnings for self-employed tradespeople increased to 拢1,017 per week during February, almost the same as the December peak of 拢1,044.
This followed the usual pattern of earnings dipping in January, attributed to a combination of bad weather and some sites being slow to reopen after Christmas.
Average earnings in February 2024 were 2.3% higher than in February 2023, highlighting resilience in demand for subcontractors even in a sluggish market.
Hudson Contract managing director Ian Anfield said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely been a tough time for the new-build housing sector and it鈥檚 very early days but it feels like things could be turning round after a downturn caused by inflation and high interest rates.
鈥淲e have seen a slight improvement in per-client operative numbers and labour rates have continued to creep up.
鈥淐lients are telling us that work on high-rise schemes is forging ahead in London and major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield.
鈥淥thers are spreading their reach into new counties and taking on new clients to maintain their turnovers and avoid the impact of the major house-builders slowing production.鈥�
|
TRADE |
January 2024 |
February 2024 |
% change |
|
BRICKLAYING |
拢789 |
拢912 |
15.6% |
|
CIVIL ENGINEERING |
拢871 |
拢938 |
7.8% |
|
DEMOLITION & WRECKING |
拢914 |
拢990 |
8.3% |
|
ELECTRICAL |
拢1,063 |
拢1,163 |
9.4% |
|
EQUIPMENT & OPERATOR HIRE |
拢891 |
拢978 |
9.7% |
|
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION |
拢936 |
拢1,025 |
9.5% |
|
INSULATION |
拢1,005 |
拢1,166 |
16.0% |
|
JOINERY |
拢979 |
拢1,120 |
14.4% |
|
MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING |
拢1,019 |
拢1,233 |
21.0% |
|
PLASTERING |
拢827 |
拢880 |
-6.4% |
|
PLUMBING |
拢1,029 |
拢1,242 |
20.7% |
|
拢734 |
拢825 |
12.4% |
|
|
SCAFFOLDING & LIFTING |
拢846 |
拢909 |
-7.4% |
|
SHOP FITTING |
拢999 |
拢1,101 |
10.2% |
|
SPECIALIST TRADES |
拢869 |
拢921 |
-6.0% |
|
STEEL & TIMBER FRAME ERECTION |
拢855 |
拢959 |
12.1% |
|
SURFACING CONTRACTORS |
拢839 |
拢990 |
18.0% |
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