London’s residential construction market is facing a perfect storm. Just as the industry grapples with a deepening skills crisis, a new, lucrative competitor has emerged for its most valuable asset: its skilled tradespeople. A recent UK government announcement of a clean energy jobs boom, promising 400,000 new roles by 2030, is set to intensify the construction labour shortage in London [1]. For the city’s residential builders, this isn’t just a headline; it’s a direct threat to their workforce, as plumbers, electricians, and other trades are lured away by the promise of higher pay and better conditions.
This new reality demands a shift in focus. It's no longer enough to simply find skilled workers; the challenge now is retaining construction workers in London. With the clean energy sector offering salaries 23% higher on average for the same roles, residential builders must create an environment where tradespeople want to stay. The key to this isn’t just about competing on pay, but about tackling the deep-seated frustrations that drive good people away: inefficient processes, poor communication, and the daily chaos of a disorganised site.
The numbers paint a stark picture. The UK construction industry is already struggling with over 140,000 unfilled vacancies and faces the retirement of over a third of its workforce by 2035 [2]. The demand for plumbers and electricians is projected to rise by 11.5% and 9% respectively, just to keep up with existing demand. Now, add to this the pull of 400,000 new, well-paid clean energy jobs. It’s a simple equation of supply and demand, and London’s residential builders are on the losing end.
This isn’t just a future problem; it’s happening now. Every time a skilled electrician leaves for a job installing solar panels or a plumber moves to a heat pump installation company, a residential project loses more than just a pair of hands. It loses project knowledge, experience, and the continuity that is essential for quality and efficiency. The cost of replacing a skilled worker can be as high as 200% of their annual salary, a staggering figure for any business, but especially for the small to medium-sized builders that form the backbone of London’s residential market.
Factor / Impact on London Residential Construction
Labour Shortage / 140,000+ unfilled vacancies nationwide, delaying projects.
Clean Energy Boom / 400,000 new jobs by 2030, attracting skilled trades with higher pay.
Retirement Wave / Over a third of the workforce will retire by 2035, depleting experience.
Result: / A perfect storm of increased competition for a shrinking pool of talent.
While the higher salaries in the clean energy sector are a significant pull factor, money is often just the final push. The real reasons for leaving are often rooted in the day-to-day frustrations of the job. Disjointed communication through a chaotic mix of WhatsApp messages, emails, and phone calls leads to mistakes, rework, and wasted time. This isn’t just inefficient; it’s demoralising. Skilled tradespeople want to use their expertise, not spend their days chasing information or redoing work because of a miscommunication.
This is where platforms like Fieldwire, Procore, and CoConstruct have tried to offer a solution. However, for many small to medium-sized London builders, these tools are often overly complex, expensive, and designed for large-scale commercial projects. They don’t address the specific needs of the residential market, and can end up adding another layer of complexity rather than solving the core problem.
This is where BRCKS comes in. We understand that managing construction projects with fewer workers requires a new approach. BRCKS is a construction project management and communication tool designed specifically for the London residential market. It streamlines communication, centralises information, and eliminates the daily chaos that drives good people away. By providing a single source of truth for every project, BRCKS empowers tradespeople to do their best work, without the frustration.
Imagine a world where your plumbers and electricians have all the information they need at their fingertips. No more hunting through WhatsApp for the latest plans, no more confusion over change orders, and no more wasted journeys to site. This is what BRCKS delivers. As Bonchurch BC, a London-based construction and maintenance company, discovered, implementing BRCKS saved their management and maintenance divisions one hour per day, per person. That’s an hour less of administrative headaches and an hour more of productive, skilled work. By creating a more professional and organised work environment, BRCKS helps you in keeping your skilled trades in construction.
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The clean energy boom is a wake-up call for the residential construction industry. To compete, you need to offer more than just a competitive wage. You need to offer a better way of working. BRCKS is the tool that can help you do that. By streamlining your project management and communication, you can create a more efficient, professional, and rewarding environment for your skilled tradespeople.
BRCKS is currently in beta, and we’re looking for forward-thinking London builders to join us. If you’re ready to take control of your projects, improve your efficiency, and build a team that wants to stay, visit our website at www.brcks.io to learn more and join the waitlist.
[1] GOV.UK - Clean energy jobs boom to bring thousands of new jobs
[2] PFP Thrive - The UK Construction Skills Shortage Report 2025
