6 Things Shaping Construction Hiring Right Now

Insights from the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026

Construction hiring has been navigating a period of regulatory disruption, project delays, and cautious capital deployment. Underneath the uncertainty, however, the direction of travel is increasingly positive. Here's what's shaping the market right now.

1. Regulatory change has front-loaded the demand for technical talent

Technical capability is now required from stage two of delivery rather than later in the process, and that shift has fundamentally reshaped hiring priorities. Demand for technical and design-focused professionals has increased, while pressure has grown on site-based and externally facing roles. In residential construction in particular, project delays have created an oversupply of available candidates, softening salary expectations as professionals increasingly prioritise job continuity over pay.

2. Employers are moving away from permanent headcount towards flexible resourcing

Uncertainty around approvals and programme start dates has made employers more cautious about committing to permanent hires. Temporary and contract engagement, particularly across fit-out and finishing roles, has become the preferred model for managing cost risk while maintaining capability. For candidates, this has meant pivoting into adjacent sectors or alternative project types to keep their careers moving during a period of programme uncertainty.

3. Salary growth is limited and largely internal

Salary inflation across construction remains modest. Most increases have come through internal promotion rather than lateral moves, reflecting a market focused on retention rather than aggressive competition for talent. Technical roles have seen some modest uplift compared with 18 months ago, but cash flow constraints, particularly among residential contractors, continue to restrict meaningful salary growth across the broader market.

4. Counteroffers are now a standard part of the hiring process

Employers are fighting hard to hold onto key staff they cannot afford to lose, and counteroffers have become commonplace as a result. Candidates, for their part, are increasingly choosing stability over movement, with an expectation that progression and pay growth will follow over time rather than being delivered upfront. For businesses trying to hire, this means longer processes, more drop-outs, and a greater need to move decisively when the right candidate is identified.

5. Pipeline security and leadership visibility are driving attraction decisions

Compensation alone is no longer the primary driver of candidate decisions. Professionals are placing greater emphasis on project pipeline, funding security, and the clarity of a business's plans. Where projects have been paused or delayed, clear communication and visible leadership are critical to maintaining trust and engagement. Flexibility remains limited across much of the sector, which makes culture, reputation, and long-term vision increasingly influential in determining where the best people choose to work.

6. Sentiment is cautiously positive and activity is expected to pick up

Looking ahead, hiring activity is expected to increase as delayed projects progress and funding is deployed. Despite ongoing global uncertainty, the UK, and London in particular, continues to be viewed as a relatively stable destination for capital. Employers that can demonstrate secure pipelines, credible planning, and a clear long-term outlook will be best placed to attract and retain talent as activity accelerates through the rest of 2026 and beyond.

For full salary data and hiring trends across Construction, download the deverellsmith Real Estate Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026.

About the Authors

Aaron Higgins | National Head of Development & Construction

Aaron leads deverellsmith's Development & Construction division nationally, overseeing senior search mandates and strategic growth across the UK. With deep expertise in the built environment, he advises businesses on talent strategy across technical, delivery and leadership functions within residential and commercial construction.

Chris Litras | Director, Real Estate Investment, Development & Construction

Chris is a Director in the Real Estate executive search practice, responsible for group strategy and management of senior search mandates internationally. He has over 14 years of experience in the industry, overseeing the service offering across Real Estate Investment, Development & Construction divisions. With a wealth of knowledge in his sector, he is well versed in talent identification and attraction advisory.