Salaries And Costs
Construction in Bury spans housing, light industrial, civils, and maintenance, so pay varies by trade and ticket. Labourers tend to earn around £12 to £15 per hour, with bricklayers often between £20 and £30 per hour, and joiners close to £18 to £25 per hour. Permanent site managers usually fall between £45,000 and £60,000, with quantity surveyors between £40,000 and £55,000, and project engineers between £35,000 and £55,000. Agencies quote fees as a percentage for permanent placements, most often 12% to 20%, with temp margins presented as a markup that covers PAYE, holiday pay, employers’ NI, and admin. Day rates still appear for some trades under CIS, yet many employers prefer a clear all-in hourly charge to manage budgets and retention. Always ask for a cost breakdown before you agree to terms, and check for rebates and replacement guarantees in the first weeks of a hire.
Qualifications
Most sites in Bury expect a valid CSCS card, with CPCS or NPORS for plant, and IPAF for MEWPs. Supervisors often need SSSTS, managers tend to need SMSTS, and First Aid at Work is a regular ask. Asbestos awareness, manual handling, and working at height courses remain common, and many social housing jobs require a DBS check for occupied premises. Agencies will help with verification, yet employers still carry the duty to confirm Right to Work and site compliance.
Local Hiring Challenges
The labour market here pulls from Bury, Radcliffe, Whitefield, Ramsbottom, and north Manchester, so availability shifts with large frameworks and housing starts. Short-notice requests for shuttering carpenters, steel fixers, and groundworkers can be tough in peak months. Joiners with kitchen fit or fire door experience are in steady demand, and utilities work draws civils operatives when major programmes are live. Good agencies keep a standby pool for call-offs, yet early notice wins the best candidates and holds pay rates stable.
Regional Or Geographic Variations
Access is strong via the M66 and the A56, with quick links to the M60, so candidates will travel from Bolton and Rochdale if the pay and hours make sense. Metrolink puts central Manchester within easy reach, yet many trades prefer sites near main roads with parking. Pilsworth and Chamberhall business zones host contractors and suppliers, which helps day-to-day resourcing and same-day starts when projects ramp up.
Temporary, Permanent, And Contract Work
Employers use temp labour for peaks, shutdowns, snagging drives, and backfill for sickness or holiday. Permanent hiring is suitable for roles that require continuity, such as site managers, estimators, and QS staff. Contract work covers fixed-scope builds or maintenance terms and can sit under PAYE or CIS depending on status, IR35 risk, and control. Recruitment consultants can advise on the right model, yet the job spec and programme dates should drive the choice.
Recruitment Fees And Agency Costs
For temps, charge rates often include holiday pay, employer’s NI, pension, and the agency service, with uplifts for nights or weekends. Ask whether travel, digs, or tools are included. For permanent placements, sliding scales and free replacement periods are common, so compare terms, not just the percentage. Clarify cancellation rules for no shows and minimum hours for part-day assignments. Clear terms protect both local employers and candidates, and speed up onboarding when time matters.
Common Job Roles Agencies Recruit For In Bury
Construction recruitment agencies in Bury cover general labour, bricklaying, joinery, groundworks, plant operation, telehandler drivers, painters, and plasterers. On the white helmet side, demand runs to site managers, assistant site managers, engineers, document controllers, buyers, estimators, and QS staff. Housing maintenance brings gas engineers, electricians, multiskilled operatives, and voids teams, with call-out rotas that suit those seeking steadier hours.
Industry-specific training Or Licences
Plant roles often need a CPCS A17 telehandler or A59 excavator, with NPORS equivalents accepted on many jobs. Street Works, abrasive wheels, and confined spaces pop up for utilities and civils. Fire door inspection, PASMA, and City and Guilds gas qualifications support compliance in housing and public buildings. Good staffing agencies will track expiries and prompt renewals to prevent jobs from being delayed at the gate.
Workforce, Retention, And The Job Market
The local workforce mixes long-standing tradespeople with apprentices coming through college routes. Retention improves when sites pay on time, provide secure parking, and maintain predictable hours. Simple touches, like early confirmation of next week’s schedule and quick feedback, keep candidates engaged. Employment firms in Bury maintain talent pools that cover both day one readiness and longer-term succession for supervisors.
Commuter Links And Business Parks
The M66 corridor makes Bury a practical base for jobs that straddle Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Metrolink brings office staff to project support roles, and the A58 and A56 carry vans to sites across the borough. Pilsworth, Chamberhall, and local trading estates support deliveries, stores, and early starts, keeping crews productive and reducing downtime.
Register With An Agency, Or Hire Staff directly
Local businesses can register vacancies and get shortlists that match ticket, kit, and start date. Jobseekers can register with an agency for alerts on shifts, days, or long runs, with options for PAYE or CIS where appropriate. Recruitment agencies know who is available, who is finishing a job this week, and who wants a permanent move, so both sides gain from a single point of contact.
Quick Facts And Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical pay rates for trades in Bury?
Labourers are paid £12 to £15 per hour, joiners £18 to £25, and bricklayers £20 to £30, with uplifts for nights or weekends.
What permanent salaries are common for site management in Bury?
Site managers often earn between £45,000 to £60,000, depending on project size, sector, and package.
Do agencies in Bury handle DBS checks for school or care sites?
Most agencies can support the process, but employers should confirm the required level and the turnaround time before the start date.
Can I hire on CIS for short-duration work?
Many civils and trade roles still use CIS, yet status and control tests apply, and IR35 risk should be reviewed with the agency and your advisor.
How fast can a temp start on site?
Same-day starts happen when tickets and Right to Work are verified, with travel time and site induction as the main variables.
What construction recruitment agencies cover both trades and staff roles?
Most Bury recruiters place trades, supervisors, and office staff, so one partner can cover labour, engineering, and commercial hires.
Do agencies support apprentices and improvers?
Yes, some employers run paired teams with a lead trade and an improver, which supports succession and controls costs on longer programmes.
What factors move agency costs up or down in Bury?
Scarcity of skills, short notice, travel distance, parking, and unsociable hours will influence the charge rate or fee.