At Howden Insurance, we know our tradies work hard – whether you’re laying bricks, wiring homes, or fitting kitchens from your trusty van. So we dug into the latest industry data to see which trades are thriving, where the challenges lie, and how the landscape is shifting for skilled professionals across the UK.
Whether you’re a one-person powerhouse or managing a growing crew, understanding how your trade stacks up can help you plan smarter, price better, and protect what matters most.
Top of the trade
If you’re in construction, you’re in luck. Builders topped the charts with an average annual turnover of £110,260. That’s serious graft paying off. Dryliners, groundworkers, glaziers, and flooring contractors weren’t far behind, each taking in over £88K on average.
The up-and-comers
Gas fitters saw the biggest boost, with a 12% jump in turnover to £74,387. Other trades making gains include:
- Heavy goods drivers: up 5% to £60,368
- Painter & decorators: up 5% to £52,652
- Cleaners: up 5% to £43,504
- Kitchen & bathroom fitters: up 5% to £75,262
If you’re in one of these trades, now’s the time to double down and ride the wave.
Trades feeling the pinch
Not all sectors had a good year. Roofers took the hardest hit, with turnover dropping 30% to £56,799. Landscape gardeners and groundworkers also saw double-digit declines.
- Roofers: -30%
- Landscape gardeners: -13%
- Groundworkers: -12%
Overall in 2024, the average turnover for UK trade businesses fell to £66,172 – a 3% drop from 2023’s £68,474, and a sharp 20% decline compared to £82,821 in 2022.
The trend continues from last year, with only 9 out of the top 20 trades seeing any growth in average annual turnover. For many van-driving tradies, the squeeze is real.
Several factors are putting pressure on earnings across the board:
- Cost of living crisis: With households tightening their belts, demand for non-essential work has taken a hit.
- Rising material costs: Higher prices mean higher quotes—leading to fewer enquiries and more price-sensitive customers.
- Skills shortages: Many tradespeople are stretched thin, turning down work they simply don’t have the capacity to take on.
Where’s best to be a tradesperson?
When it comes to running a successful trade business, location isn’t just about postcode pride. It can shape the kind of work you get, the clients you serve, and the challenges you face day to day.
Some towns and cities across the UK are proving to be fertile ground for tradespeople. These areas combine strong local economies, active housing markets, and a steady demand for skilled work. Places like Chichester, Uxbridge, Watford, Sevenoaks, and Poole have seen particularly high levels of trade activity, with businesses reporting strong turnover and consistent job flow.
But it’s not just about earnings, it’s about the kind of work available. These areas often feature:
- High property turnover, meaning more renovations and repairs
- Word-of-mouth networks that keep the phone ringing
- A mix of older homes and new builds needing everything from rewiring to refits
If you’re based in one of these towns, or considering expanding your reach, it might be worth leaning into local marketing or partnerships to make the most of the momentum.
On the flip side, towns like Darlington, Chester, and Pontefract have reported lower average turnover for tradespeople. That doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity—it just means the landscape might require a different approach.
In these areas, tradies may face:
- More price-sensitive customers
- Fewer large-scale renovation projects
- Higher competition for smaller jobs
But lower turnover doesn’t always mean lower potential. These towns can be ideal for building long-term relationships, offering maintenance packages, or specialising in niche services that set you apart.
Whether you’re working in a booming town or a quieter corner of the UK, success often comes down to how well you know your local market. Are homeowners investing in upgrades? Are landlords looking for reliable maintenance? Are new developments popping up nearby?
At Howden, we’re here to support you wherever you park your van. With flexible insurance options and cover that grows with your business, we help you stay protected while you focus on what you do best; getting the job done.
Sources: Simply Business
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This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.