Salaries and Costs
Pay in Eastleigh reflects Hampshire demand and commuter links to Southampton and Winchester. General labourers often see £12–£15 per hour, bricklayers can reach £180–£220 per day, and site managers sit near £45,000–£60,000. Recruiters and staffing agencies price permanent placements with fees that tend to fall in the 12%–20% band, while agency costs for temp cover are built into hourly charge rates that include holiday pay, NI, and margin. Employers that brief clearly on scope, shift patterns, and site standards usually move faster and keep agency costs under control.
Qualifications and Cards
Most businesses ask for CSCS as a baseline, with CPCS or NPORS for plant, IPAF for MEWP work, and SMSTS or SSSTS for supervisory roles. Recruiters and recruitment consultants will guide candidates on expiry dates and site induction needs, which helps retention and keeps projects on track.
Common Roles Agencies Fill
Employment firms handle labourers, bricklayers, carpenters, painters, steel fixers, groundworkers, telehandler drivers, pipelayers, electricians, and plumbers, through to document controllers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, and project managers. Temp agencies cover same-day cover for emergencies, while executive search supports senior hires where discretion matters.
Local Hiring Challenges
Eastleigh’s labour market can tighten when large civils or housing schemes kick off near the M27 and M3, with contractor demand pulling candidates toward Southampton docks work or Winchester projects. Early starts near key commuter routes, plus parking limits, can affect show-up rates, so clear travel notes in job ads help. Using recruiters who know shifts around Southampton Airport Parkway and Chandler’s Ford can steady attendance and reduce fall-off.
Key Sectors and Employers in the Area
Housebuilding, fit-out, and refurbishment keep the market busy, with industrial estates in Boyatt Wood and Chandler’s Ford drawing steady maintenance and FM activity. Local employers and businesses value agencies that can scale from small teams to full squads during peak phases, then pivot to permanent hires as projects stabilise.
Entry Routes and Training
Jobseekers often start as site operatives, gain a green CSCS, then add short courses for abrasive wheels, working at height, or manual handling. With experience, candidates move toward blue skilled cards, plant tickets, or junior engineer routes through college courses. Agencies help candidates register quickly, upload cards, and book refreshers, which speeds compliance.
Contract Types and Pay Models
Temporary, permanent, and contract work all feature in Eastleigh. Temp assignments may pay PAYE hourly with holiday accrual, or via umbrella, while day-rate professionals prefer LTD or umbrella contract set-ups where appropriate. Clear notes on pay rates, timesheets, and expected hours reduce queries and help the workforce stay focused.
Fees, Budgets, and Timing
Recruitment fees align with role scarcity and notice periods. Short lead-times for hard-to-fill positions such as setting-out engineers or experienced QSs can push rates up. Agreeing terms early, covering overtime rules, and confirming PO processes helps agencies release candidates without delay.
Quick Facts / FAQs
How fast can a recruiter fill a general labourer booking in Eastleigh?
Same day is common when right-to-work and CSCS are in place.
What documents should candidates bring when they register with an agency?
Photo ID, proof of address, right-to-work, NI number, and card or tickets.
Do construction recruitment agencies in Eastleigh work with small builders?
Yes, many support micro firms that need one or two people at short notice.
What impacts pay rates most in the local job market?
Ticket scarcity, travel, shift length, and short-notice requests.
How do employers hire staff for longer projects without constant re-briefing?
Use a single point of contact, agree a skills matrix, and keep feedback tight.
Getting Started
Local employers who need to hire staff can brief recruiters with postcode, start date, site rules, and kit requirements, then confirm timesheet sign-off and inductions. Candidates and jobseekers should register with an agency, upload cards, and keep contact details current. Construction recruitment agencies in Eastleigh that know the labour market and commuter patterns place people faster and improve retention.