Building completion and finishing covers the trades that come in once the structure is up: joiners, plasterers, painters and decorators, glaziers, floor layers and shopfitters. In 2024 the ONS counted 84,275 of these businesses, turning over £41.8bn. The table compares the group as a whole with two of its largest trades.
| 2024 | All finishing trades | Joinery installation | Painting and glazing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Businesses (VAT or PAYE registered) | 84,275 | 28,429 | 16,272 |
| Total turnover | £41.8bn | £16.0bn | £6.5bn |
| Average turnover per business | £496,000 | £561,000 | £400,000 |
| Staff costs, % of turnover | 21.2% | 18.6% | 25.3% |
| Bought-in goods and services, % of turnover | 52.3% | 59.0% | 46.1% |
| Left after staff and bought-in costs, % of turnover | 26.4% | 22.4% | 28.6% |
| Stock held, in days of purchases | 25 days | 19 days | 25 days |
Source: ONS Annual Business Survey, 2024 results (published 26 May 2026). It covers businesses registered for VAT or PAYE, so the smallest sole traders are not included. Averages are pulled up by the largest firms. For sole traders and partnerships, the owners’ own pay is not in staff costs: it comes out of what is left.
Joinery is the most materials-heavy, with bought-in costs at 59.0% of turnover. Painting and glazing spends less on materials and more on labour, so labour efficiency matters more than buying.
All finishing trades: turnover rose 18% between 2019 and 2024, against a 24% rise in consumer prices, so it fell behind inflation. The number of businesses rose 3%. Staff costs went from 12.3% to 21.2% of turnover, and what was left after staff and bought-in costs went from 25.1% to 26.4%.
Joinery installation: turnover rose 23% between 2019 and 2024, against a 24% rise in consumer prices, so it roughly kept pace with inflation. The number of businesses rose 4%. Staff costs went from 13.1% to 18.6% of turnover, and what was left after staff and bought-in costs went from 22.6% to 22.4%.
Painting and glazing: turnover rose 27% between 2019 and 2024, against a 24% rise in consumer prices, so it grew in real terms. The number of businesses rose 9%. Staff costs went from 19.1% to 25.3% of turnover, and what was left after staff and bought-in costs went from 23.5% to 28.6%.
The share of turnover going on staff costs has risen sharply across the finishing trades. Part of this may reflect firms taking on directly employed staff rather than self-employed subcontractors, whose pay is counted as a bought-in service rather than a staff cost. Compare your own figures on the same basis.
Choose the closest match to your trade, then enter your figures.
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