Salaries and Costs
Construction recruiters in Inverness work across housebuilding, civil engineering, utilities, and renewables. Pay rates vary by ticket and site location. Labourers tend to earn around £12 to £16 per hour, with higher rates for remote jobs that require travel or digging. Qualified joiners and electricians can reach £20 to £25 per hour on temp agencies’ books. Site managers often earn £45,000 to £60,000, while senior quantity surveyors earn nearer £40,000 to £55,000. Agency costs depend on role type and scarcity. Permanent recruitment fees usually range from 12 per cent to 20 per cent of salary. Temp margins reflect PAYE costs, holiday pay, and travel, so ask recruiters to itemise charge rates and explain overtime rules. Clear scopes, accurate job descriptions, and realistic start dates keep agency costs lean and reduce rework.
Qualifications and Site Cards
Most sites across Inverness and the wider Highlands will ask for a valid CSCS card. Plant operators may need CPCS or NPORS. Supervisors often hold SSSTS, while managers hold SMSTS. Electrical roles can require the 18th Edition. Street works teams may need NRSWA. Recruiters will check right to work, references, and recent site experience, and many will request proof of face fit tests for masks. Keep tickets in date and share copies early, since this speeds onboarding for both temp and permanent work.
Local Hiring Challenges
The labour market here is tight in peak periods, as projects compete for the same workforce. Travel time across the A9, A82, and A96 can limit candidate pools. Rural jobs often need drivers with their own transport. Some shifts start early to make ferry links or deliveries, which narrows availability. Recruiters advise booking labour in advance for concrete pours, night works, and shutdowns. Retention improves when employers confirm hours, provide digs when needed, and pay on time.
Regional Or Geographic Variations
Inverness serves as a hub for the Highlands. Many crews come in from Dingwall, Nairn, and Aviemore. The Longman Industrial Estate and Beechwood Business Park host contractors and suppliers. Projects near Inverness Campus and Raigmore bring steady demand for trades and site support. Work north of the Kessock Bridge can see higher travel claims. Sites near Inverness Airport at Dalcross can run strict security checks. Good commuter links help day shifts, yet winter weather can still slow access to remote locations.
Common Job Roles Agencies Recruit For
Construction recruitment agencies in Inverness place labourers, groundworkers, shuttering carpenters, steel fixers, bricklayers, joiners, painters, and decorators. White-collar teams include site engineers, assistant site managers, site managers, QSs, estimators, and planners. Building services needs include electricians, plumbers, and HVAC engineers. Civils and utilities draw on plant operators, pipelayers, street works gangs, and cable pullers. Executive search teams handle project leaders and department heads when confidentiality is a concern.
Roles And Career Paths
Candidates can start as labourers, gain a CSCS card, then build towards skilled trades with SVQs or apprenticeships. Plant marshalling can lead to banksman or telehandler work. Technicians who set out may progress into site engineering. Assistant site managers often grow into project managers. Recruiters will map these steps, introduce training providers, and line up contract work that builds experience across housing, commercial, and civils.
Industry-Specific Training Or Licences
High-risk tasks need proof of competence. Confined spaces, working at height, and IPAF for MEWP use are common asks. Abrasive wheels and manual handling certificates are useful on refurbishment jobs. First aid at work is often requested for supervisors. Water sector roles may need EUSR. Rail-adjacent civils can require PTS, so flag this early when briefing a staffing agency.
Key Sectors Or Employers In The Region
The area sees steady work across housebuilding, infrastructure, and public estate projects. Local employers and businesses draw on recruitment consultants for trades, site management, and back office support. Utilities and renewable schemes in the Moray Firth create periodic spikes for civils crews and electricians. Fit-out work around retail and healthcare sites keeps multi-traders busy. Agencies know which sites are live, which bids are pending, and where to find employees at short notice.
Salaries, Pay Rates, Recruitment Fees, Agency Costs
Agree on day rates and travel rules in writing before the start. For temps, confirm pay frequency, overtime triggers, and weekend premiums. For permanent hires, discuss rebate terms, exclusivity, and staged payments. Ask for a simple line that shows basic rate, holiday pay, any uplift, and the final charge. Transparent pricing helps retention, since both sides know where they stand.
Seasonal Trends Or Themes
Summer programmes lift volumes, with shutdowns and resurfacing that need gangs at scale. Winter can bring shorter days and tougher access, so temp agencies lean on local candidates who know the roads and the weather. Training and inductions often spike in spring before large frameworks start on site.
How To Work With Recruiters
Share drawings, a method statement summary, or a short scope when you brief. Confirm PPE, parking, and start times. Name the site contact. Good recruiters will pre-vet tickets, arrange site-specific inductions, and call ahead to confirm attendance. For longer runs, ask for a plan to switch to a permanent if the fit is right. Candidates should keep CVs tight, list tickets with expiry dates, and register with an agency that covers their trade and location.
Quick Facts And Frequently Asked Questions
Do construction recruiters in Inverness supply both temp and perm staff?
Yes, most staffing agencies cover temporary, permanent, and contract work, with separate teams for trades and white collar roles.
**What does it cost to hire through a recruitment agency?
Permanent fees are often 12 per cent to 20 per cent of salary, while temp charge rates include PAYE, holiday pay, and a margin that reflects demand and travel.
Can agencies cover remote Highlands sites?
Yes, but travel time, digs, and weather can affect start times and pay rates, so plan ahead and brief early.
How do I register with an agency?
Employers can send a job brief or call a recruiter to set terms. Candidates and job seekers can upload a CV, share tickets, and confirm availability.
Do agencies handle executive search for construction leadership?
Yes, executive search teams run confidential campaigns for project leaders and senior managers, often with staged fees and set timelines.
Which commuter links matter for daily travel?
The A9, A82, and A96 are key routes, with flows from Nairn, Dingwall, and Aviemore supporting day shifts across Inverness and nearby sites.