Construction Jobs UK
Find your ideal Construction job in the UK by applying for jobs and registering with agencies up to two years before you plan to travel to the UK.
Prepare for the experience of a lifetime by reading this page and visiting our essential tips section.
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Learn how to get the UK jobs you really want – Visit our FAQ's section.
Construction Jobs UK
- Building Jobs UK
- Civils Jobs UK
- Quantity Surveying Jobs UK
- Estimating Jobs UK
- Construction Engineer (Structural Bias)
Other important topics for Construction Professionals!
- How much will I earn in the UK?
- What is the general outlook for the UK construction industry?
- What should my UK Construction Resume look like?
"... everything is going great - I accepted a position in London. Thanks for all the help while I was still in Australia. I feel like I got a head start on other job hunters." - James C., Vic.
WORKgateways’ UK-based recruitment partners continually place Aussie/Kiwi/South African and Canadian construction professionals into a variety of jobs within the UK construction industry. UK construction jobs exist within a wide range of areas including building, civils and quantity surveying and estimating.
Building Construction Jobs UK
Building construction projects are ongoing nearly UK-wide and include residential, commercial, retail, institutional and light industrial. Multi-storey office blocks continue to go up in all major urban centres with the result that specific construction experience with high-rise projects is in high demand. Site-based positions include, but are not limited to, Project Manager, Project Engineer, Site Manager, Site Engineer, Cost Manager, and Construction Manager. Contact Administrators are required as are engineers experienced in putting together professional tenders for building construction works.
Back to Civils Construction Jobs UK
Civils projects are based UK-wide in urban, suburban and regional locations and include a full range of projects such as roads & highways, water (dams, flood prevention works, distribution networks and treatment stations), and earthworks. Site-based positions include, but are not limited to, Project Manager, Project Engineer, Site Manager, Site Engineer, Cost Manager, and Construction Manager. Contact Administrators are required as are engineers experienced in putting together professional tenders for civils construction works.
Quantity Surveying Jobs UK
Candidates with either, or both, of experience in Quantity Surveying and a degree in construction management will find UK job opportunities to be very good on a fairly consistent basis. There is a shortage of Quantity Surveyors; a year or two of relevant experience is sufficient for most positions. Jobs and projects include both civils and building construction projects and rates of pay are relatively high comparatively. Jobs are available UK-wide, including busy central London.
Both professional Quantity Surveyors and those from a QS contractor background will find good opportunities though WORKgateways and our UK partners.
Estimating Jobs UK
There tends to always be a shortage of experienced Estimators in the UK. Those with estimating and/or tendering experience from within either the building or civils construction industry will find that there are positions available frequently. Rates of pay are quite good comparatively and projects located throughout the UK and in central London.
Construction Engineer (Structural Bias)
Construction Engineers with a Structural background should read our Essential Guide for Structural Engineers and Technicians going to the UK.
How much will I earn in the UK?
For most recently graduated or qualified individuals (one to three years experience) the average starting contract rate is usually between £10 to £15 per hour. This is approximate and does not take into account your tax status. See PAYE and Ltd Company.
Those arriving in the UK for work with four or more years of industry
experience may expect their contract rates to start around £13
to £17 per hour. It is also important to note that your contract
rates often increase relatively quickly as you gain UK experience.
Specialists, or those with skills and experience in high demand,
can sometimes start on relatively high contract rates, or permanent
salaries without having UK experience.
Within Construction jobs UK examples include Civils projects and Building/Structures projects - Project Engineering/Management especially alongside strong experience in cost control and planning packages like Primavera P3 or MS Project. In these cases you might expect a contract rate of over £15 and sometimes even up to £25 per hour initially!
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What is the general outlook for the UK Construction industry?
Employment to the construction industry has sustained a high level of activity over the last few years. This trend looks to continue as public spending on infrastructure and privately funded developments in the UK continue to increase in 2003-2006. The construction industry is usually at its peak during the warmer Spring and Summer months but can sustain strong levels of recruitment throughout the year. Smaller peaks and troughs are normal and do occur – prepare before you go over by applying to suitable jobs and registering with agencies through WORKgateways. You will increase your chances of securing a position quickly in both busy and slower recruitment environments.
To get the best job for your experience register with recruitment agencies up to 2 years before you plan to travel to the UK. We also recommend that you apply to jobs beginning about three months before you arrive. You can also learn how to get the most out of your WORKgateways UK job search.
What should my UK Construction Resume look like?
Be sure your resume includes specific details of your construction project experience. This is the most common complaint from UK recruitment consultants – ‘not enough information or detail!’ For example, 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. If you have far too many projects to list, please choose four to six representative projects. If the scope of your project experience seems too wide – you may want to either create two resumes or leave as is and your UK recruitment consultant can tailor your experience to a given job.
You can upload and update your UK construction resume for your WORKgateways file at any time from your log-in. Your resume is then on-line and can be viewed by the UK based construction recruitment companies with whom you choose to register.
Want to know more about living and working in the UK?
- Working: UK taxation, UK banking
- Living: cost of living, where to live, healthcare, finding a flat, getting around
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