Skilled Subbies Earnings Reach Record High

DEMAND for skilled subbies on building sites drove earnings to a record high last month, according to Hudson Contract’s payroll – the biggest in the construction industry.

Analysis shows that average rates for self-employed tradespeople increased by 1.4% to £1,012 per week during August. Pay was 4.1% higher than the same period last year.

August 2023’s rates are only the second time that average earnings have exceeded £1,000 per week. The first was December 2022 as subbies put in extra hours to finish projects.

For roofers, the national average pay per week for all age groups across the country was £880 in August. August 2023’s national average pay per week rose by 1.9% from £863 in the previous month, and by 6.4% from £827 in August 2022, according to Hudson Contract.

By age, the national average pay figures are:

• • Under 25    £685
  • 25-34         £801
  • 35-49         £831
  • 50-65         £816
  • Over 65      £721

Subbies Earnings

Joiners, plumbers and insulators – the trades involved at the back end of housebuilding projects – enjoyed the biggest rise in pay in August. Joiners saw their earnings increase by 7.6% to £1,166 per week, plumbers by 5.7% to £1,196 and insulators by 5.4% to £1,113.

Meanwhile, pay for civil engineers – who do the groundworks on new sites – increased by just 0.8 % to £946 per week, suggesting they are in less demand.

Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson Contract, said: “Our payroll figures reflect the mixed picture of what’s happening in construction at the moment.

“There is no doubt that major housebuilders are buying less land, starting fewer sites and putting pressure on their suppliers to cut costs. But there is a lag between turning the tap off at one end and what comes through the pipe at the other end.

“This means that some sites are still stacked out. Many of our clients are busy with work they secured some time ago. Demand remains high for tradespeople who can increase their earnings because they know their skills are in short supply.

“What happens with labour rates over the next few months is hard to predict; developers say times are tough with the private housing market slowing and the big housing associations are forecasting building 50% fewer units next year.”

Average Pay to Freelance Tradespeople

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