Jessica O'ConnorThe employment landscape for the UK’s plumbing and heating profession remained stable in Q1 2025, the SNIPEF State of Trade Survey Q1 2025.
While trading conditions held steady overall, fewer businesses noted being busier than expected, and a growing number reported experiencing quieter periods.
Profit margins across the sector were under increasing strain, driven by rising input costs and ongoing cashflow challenges.
In addition, a key issue continued to be payment delays, particularly among businesses working with tier one and two contractors.
In addition, the report noted that the profession is grappling with a persistent shortage of skilled workers, further exacerbating operational pressures.
Despite these headwinds, confidence within the profession remained relatively robust, though it has begun to soften.
Economic sentiment was more clearly in decline, with nearly half of surveyed businesses expressing pessimism about the broader UK economy.
Employment intentions within the sector also remained muted.
The majority of firms said they have no immediate plans to hire or take on apprentices, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the workforce.
This cautious approach to recruitment has persisted for several quarters.
Notably, smaller firms that focus primarily on domestic work continue to show the greatest resilience.
Their stronger customer relationships and more consistent workflows provided a buffer against market fluctuations.
In contrast, larger businesses were more vulnerable to volatility caused by wider market and operational disruptions.
