Working in the British Construction Scene
Working in the UK construction industry can open many doors to interesting projects and a variety of positions available across many different specialisations. And because of the contract or permanent possibilities you can tailor your work experience to fit your needs like your travel schedule.
The Opportunity
Employment Scope
Diverse opportunities mean you can balance work with travel or commit to a long-term role.
Demand
Construction professionals with more than 12 months of experience will thrive.
Lifestyle
Structure your contracts to allow for travel or embrace daily life in the UK.
Open Opportunities
There are many positions available for those who wish to work in construction. Positions range from short to long-term and span a wide variety of specializations. We also cover engineering roles within construction companies.
Get Hired in 2 Weeks
There is usually little shortage of opportunities in construction. Qualified candidates with the right experience can find a job in the construction field relatively quickly – often within weeks.
Lifestyle: How Much You'll Earn
In the UK, the average monthly salary for construction workers is $3,500. Those at the entry level can potentially earn around $2,500 per month, while the most experienced individuals can earn approximately $5,500 per month.
Tip: If possible consider finding housing after securing a job. It’s not uncommon to have an hour-long commute from one part of London to another, so choosing housing based on your job location can be a lifesaver.
How to Prepare
Experience
Experience is necessary and varies depending on your desired position. Ideal candidates generally have 1-3 years of experience in their field or are recent graduates. Once you have some experience, you’ll likely find plenty of opportunities to work in construction in the UK from abroad.
Formatting Your Resume
Be Specific
Make sure your resume includes specific details of your construction project experience. The most common complaint we hear from UK recruitment consultants is, "there's not enough detail." For each project, indicate the type of project and works carried out, your job position, your duties and responsibilities, the approximate project value, duration, and project result if applicable.
Include a Maximum of 5-6 Projects
If you have far too many projects to list, choose five or six representative ones.
Tailor Your Resume for Each Application
If the scope of your project experience seems too wide – you are better off leaving information on and your UK recruitment consultant can tailor your experience to a given job.
Specialisations
Building Construction
Building construction projects are ongoing and that includes residential, commercial, retail, institutional, and light industrial. High-rise buildings for residential purposes are popping up all over the UK, and it’s not just London anymore. While London’s still leading the way with 58% of the builds, cities like Birmingham and Manchester are getting in on the action too.
Civil Construction
Civil projects are mostly happening in London, but places like Manchester, Birmingham, and Cardiff have got their fair share of the action too. Wanna see where the active construction sites are? Just hit up the construction map.
Site-based positions include but are not limited to Project Manager, Project Engineer, Site Manager, Site Engineer, Cost Manager, and Construction Manager. Contract Administrators are also required, as are engineers experienced in putting together tenders for civil construction works. Surveyors or civil engineers with surveying experience can find work on roads and highway projects.
Quantity Surveying
Candidates with experience in Quantity Surveying and a degree in construction management will find consistent opportunities, even during downturns. There is a shortage of Quantity Surveying professionals; a year or two of relevant experience is sufficient for most positions. Projects include both civil and building construction, with relatively high pay rates. Jobs are available UK-wide, including busy central London. It is very helpful if you are flexible with the location.
Both professional Quantity Surveyors and those from a QS contractor background will find good opportunities.
Estimating Positions
With the current shortage of experienced Estimators in the UK, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find plenty of job openings, so if you’ve got the experience, you’re in a solid position to land a job. Those with estimating and/or tendering experience in the building or civil construction industry will find frequent job opportunities. Pay rates are quite good, with projects located throughout the UK and most especially in London.
Construction Engineer (Structural Bias)
Construction Engineers with a Structural background should check out our Engineering Page page as well.
Table of Contents
FAQs
Answers to some questions you might have
Is there currently a high demand for construction workers from overseas in the UK?
Yes! The current market for job seekers in construction is quite strong however you should determine how your experience will fit into the market by speaking with recruitment consultants who can help guide you.
Where are construction jobs in the UK generally located?
Opportunities are most heavily concentrated in London but are also available across the UK. There is a higher demand for certain specialisations in specific areas.
How much will I earn?
The construction industry is such a wide range so giving definitive answers is difficult. Nonetheless, construction workers are well-paid. Among the highest paid in the construction industry are quantity surveyors, electrical project managers, civil engineers, construction directors, environmental engineers, commercial managers, bid managers, planners, BIM managers, and architects.
| Position | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Quantity Surveyor | £ 46 100 – 56 900 |
| Electrical Project Manager | £ 49 000 – 67 600 |
| Civil Engineers | £ 28 000 – 45 700 |
| Construction Directors | £ 60 000 – 102 600 |
| Environmental engineers | £ 28 000 – 54 500 |
| Commercial managers | £ 43 000 – 59 100 |
| Bid Manager | £ 41 300 – 48 100 |
| Planner | £ 30 100 – 42 400 |
| BIM Manager | £ 41 000 – 52 300 |
| Architect | £ 39 000 – 49 900 |
How soon should I start registering with agencies to find a construction job?
You can register with recruitment agencies before your arrival but the closer to your arrival they can be more helpful.
What's the easiest way to find a job in construction in the UK?
There are three options:
- Searching through our job boards here at WORKGateways
- Registering with recruitment agencies, or
- Applying for jobs on your own.
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