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Two-thirds of construction bosses are struggling to find bricklayers and carpenters for projects, according to the latest Federation of Master Builders (FMB) state of trade survey.
The quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, found that of 338 respondents, more than 68% found it difficult to hire bricklayers and 63% to hire carpenters and joiners – the highest figures since records began in 2008.
The survey also found the number of firms reporting difficulties hiring plumbers and electricians was 48%, plasterers 46% and floorers 30%.
The survey also revealed that construction SME workloads grew at a slightly slower rate than in Q3 2017, but new enquiries and expected workloads slowed more sharply – expected workloads among those firms building new homes showed a negative net balance for the first time since 2013.
It also found:
- Fewer construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming three months, down from 41% in the previous quarter to 38% in Q4 2017.
- 87% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months, up from 82% in the previous quarter.
- Nearly two-thirds of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase in the next six months.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The government has set itself an ambitious target to build 300,000 homes every year in England alone. More than two-thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers which is one of the key trades in the building industry.
“This has increased by nearly 10% in just three months which points to a rapid worsening of an already dire situation. What’s more, nearly as many are facing difficulties hiring carpenters and joiners.
“These figures are the highest we’ve noted since records began a decade ago. As a result, the wages for these increasingly scarce skilled tradespeople continue to rise sharply; that’s a simple consequence of supply and demand.
“This, coupled with the fact that small construction firms continue to face significant material price increases, will inevitably squeeze their margins and put a brake on growth.”
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There is no incentive to become a bricklayer or any tradesmen as there is no holiday pay, pension sick pay or loyalty. Having been a bricklayer for 20 years prior to working in the warranty business I have witnessed first hand of how difficult it is to get by financially being self employed is not ideal as you do not know when the next wage will come from. Umbrella companies appear to take their percentage out of your wages without giving back any of the aforementioned benefits. The industry needs a regulator and all tradesmen should be on PAYE with full benefits, the only people making money are the contractors and subcontractors, the site men are not getting a fair deal. There are limited apprentices and opportunities to learn a trade which is affecting workmanship on site.
If this is the case why are wages the same as they were 18 Years ago?
Agree with above, and in addition
Too much legislation, too many “stakeholders” and a certain clique who believe that obtaining a skill, or as in my day, serving your time, can be done by anyone, the majority of apprentices now have neither the aptitude or work ethic to obtain a trade and most are there because they are sent, it’s very rarely by choice.
Companies deserve to pay “barons” way over the top, after all they have spent nothing on obtaining, training and progressing apprentices, who may well have shown loyalty, for years.
The industry needs a massive shake up
Anybody else read The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist, it’s 100 years and still the same
I agree totally with Richard Simmons’ comments.
All this talk of steep wage rises caused by shortages of skilled workers is laughable.
As a bricklayer considering the shortages I should be on megabucks but we only get wage rises at irregular intervals, our last one was three years ago and that did not get us back up to the pre-crash years .
We work in appalling conditions safety is a joke all the site agents are interested in is getting roofs on to get their bonuses. The main bricky contractor is now whinging his profits are not enough.
Apprenticeships are really an excuse to get a cheap labourer these onsite NVQ’S are a joke we have just got an apprentice in his second year and he has hardly laid a brick before joining us.
So show us why we should encourage youngsters into this industry when the last time an agent spoke to me was to tell me brickies were two a penny.
I also have been bricklaying over twenty years and all the men I work with agree that workplace conditions are getting worse.
I agree with the above. I have been a bricklayer for over 30 years, I have two grown up sons and did not allow them into the trade. No paid holidays, lost time through bad weather, if you’re sick, you have to sign on. I am over 50 now, my back, shoulders, elbows, knees are virtually worn out working in all weather. You have to dress up like a health and safety beacon, gloves, helmet, safety glasses, if you take them off you get fined or sacked! Some site agents think they are far superior than you and can make life awkward, site safety suits them unless they want things done quickly. I can’t blame any one for not wanting to get on large building sites,if I could re-train to escape I would. Attitudes towards tradesmen need to change, if I was a civil servant I would be able to take retirement at 55, but will have to keep the trowel in my hand for a little while yet.
I agree with the comments. I’ve been on the trowel for 20 years and I only do domestic work now. I went back on site house building and it was horrendous the majority of the so-called professionals ie site agents, clerk of works and so-called NHBC inspector – all of them were just bothered about getting the houses up not the quality and if there was down time due to bad weather you’d be made to rush or threatened to be thrown off site.
As for the wage situation I could go on for hours – brick barons skimming your wages, companies going bust and restarting in a different names, the so-called umbrella companies taking money from you just so they can pay you, basically you have to pay them to get your money.
Why would anyone want to go on site? I enjoy and take pride in my job but it’s the other side of it which is horrendous – needs to be sorted.