Latest research from the industry’s largest payroll firm Hudson Contract said this represents a 3.1% increase on July rates and 4.5% on the same month last year.
Plumbing led the increases, with rates up 10.4% month-on-month to £1,348. Joinery rose 8.9% to £1,247, while steel and timber frame contracting climbed 7.6% to £1,102.
Hudson managing director Ian Anfield said: “Rates remain strong – not because the sector is booming but for structural reasons that are reducing the supply of skilled labour.
“These include the removal of ‘grandfather rights’ from skills cards, which has pushed out large numbers of experienced tradespeople; the lingering effects of Brexit and the loss of skilled EU operatives; and the new Right to Work rules expanding the number of workers now declared to be illegal.
“More generally, households have been more cautious with money this year, so fewer subbies took holidays during August and worked more hours. Also, the dry weather meant fewer rain-related delays on sites.
“With tight margins across the sector, the least-skilled and least-productive operators are finding it hardest to get work, while the highest-skilled, best-paid subbies remain in high demand.”
Hudson tracks average pay for 17 different trades across 10 regions in England and Wales, supplying labour market statistics to the Bank of England to inform policy decisions on skilled labour demand.
