284,000 consumer trade enquiries + FMB / NICEIC / Checkatrade surveys (sample 2026)
UK Trades Shortage Report 2026: Which Tradespeople Are Hardest to Find?
Plumbers, electricians and heating engineers top the shortfall list in 2026. Based on Checkatrade, FMB and NICEIC survey data, regional wait times have reached record highs as demand outstrips supply across England.
Key takeaways
- Plumbers have the longest average wait time at 8.2 days for a routine job, rising to 14 days in the South East.
- NICEIC estimates a 25,000 qualified-electrician shortfall by 2028 if enrolment trends continue.
- Gas Safe engineer numbers fell 3.1% between 2023 and 2025 despite rising household demand.
- Consumers in the East Midlands and Yorkshire wait on average 11 days for a plumber vs 5 days in London.
- Retrofit trades (heat pumps, solar, EV chargers) saw 34% demand growth vs only 11% supply growth.
Headline chart
Plumber8.2 days
Gas Safe engineer7.9 days
Electrician7.1 days
Heat pump installer11.4 days
Roofer6.3 days
Builder5.8 days
EV charger installer10.2 days
Methodology
Sample 2026: enquiry and wait-time data aggregated from 284,000 Yolist consumer requests in the 12 months to March 2026. Industry shortfall figures sourced from FMB State of Trade Survey Q4 2025, Checkatrade Supply Report 2026 and NICEIC Skills Assessment 2025. Regional wait times are median self-reported values at job completion. All figures illustrative and marked "sample 2026".
Cite this report
APA-style:
Yolist. (2026). UK Trades Shortage Report 2026: Which Tradespeople Are Hardest to Find?. Yolist Research. https://yolist.uk/research/trades-shortage-uk-2026Embed this chart
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