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UK Construction Companies Rankings 2026

Updated August 2026

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The UK construction industry generated £140,684 million in new work output in 2024 according to the ONS Construction Statistics, Great Britain: 2024, with 370,770 VAT and PAYE registered firms operating across the country. The top 10 construction companies by turnover collectively generate over £30 billion in annual revenue. This guide ranks the largest UK construction firms using data from their most recent statutory accounts filed at Companies House, cross-referenced with the Construction Index Top 100 2025 league table.

Top 10 UK Construction Companies by Turnover

Rankings below are based on the most recent published annual accounts for each company, covering reporting periods ending in 2024. Turnover figures are in millions of pounds sterling. Data is sourced from statutory filings at Companies House and compiled by Construction Index with analysis by Company Watch.

Rank Company Turnover (£m) Pre-tax Profit (£m) Reporting Period Margin (%)
1 Balfour Beatty 8,234.0 214.0 Dec 2024 2.6
2 Morgan Sindall Group 4,546.2 171.9 Dec 2024 3.8
3 Kier Group 3,905.1 68.1 Jun 2024 1.7
4 Laing O'Rourke 2,394.5 -19.3 Mar 2024 -0.8
5 Mace 2,356.8 85.4 Dec 2023 3.6
6 Wates Group 2,296.3 2.6 Dec 2024 0.1
7 M Group (Services) 2,196.0 23.9 Mar 2024 1.1
8 Vinci Construction Holding 2,125.5 -6.4 Dec 2023 -0.3
9 Tarmac Trading 2,006.9 168.1 Dec 2023 8.4
10 Amey UK 1,876.8 126.7 Dec 2024 6.8

The UK Construction Industry at a Glance

According to the ONS Construction Statistics published 19 February 2026, the UK construction industry contributed gross value of £154.3 billion to the UK economy in 2024. Total new work output reached £140,684 million, a 1.4% increase on the previous year, driven by a 6.7% rise in public sector work. New orders grew by 5.6% to £71,707 million, signalling continued confidence in future construction activity.

The industry employed approximately 1.4 million workers (excluding self-employment) across 370,770 registered firms in Q3 2024. Despite this scale, the ONS notes that firms continued to report a shortage of skilled labour, with job vacancies remaining elevated compared with pre-pandemic levels, driven by an ageing workforce, the impact of Brexit, and a reduced supply of EU labour.

1. Balfour Beatty - The UK's Largest Contractor

Balfour Beatty is the UK's largest construction company by turnover, reporting £8,234 million in revenue for the year ending December 2024, up 3% from £7,993 million the previous year. Pre-tax profit was £214 million, yielding a 2.6% margin. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and operates across civil engineering, construction, ground engineering, rail, highways, and mechanical and electrical services.

According to the Balfour Beatty 2024 Full Year Results, the group increased its order book to £17.4 billion, with significant wins in transportation, energy transition, and defence sectors. The company employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide, with major UK operations on HS2, National Highways schemes, and defence infrastructure.

Balfour Beatty's Companies House registration number is RC000174, and its registered office is at 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5LG.

2. Morgan Sindall Group

Morgan Sindall Group reported a turnover of £4,546.2 million for the year ending December 2024, a 10.4% increase from £4,117.7 million. Pre-tax profit rose to £171.9 million, giving a margin of 3.8%. The group operates through divisions including Morgan Sindall Construction, Lovell Partnerships (housing), and Murphy (infrastructure).

The group employs over 8,200 people and has a strong focus on urban regeneration, affordable housing, and education construction. Morgan Sindall is listed on the London Stock Exchange (company number 00521970 on Companies House).

3. Kier Group

Kier Group reported turnover of £3,905.1 million for the year ending June 2024, up 15.5% from £3,380.7 million. Pre-tax profit was £68.1 million with a 1.7% margin. Kier is one of the UK's leading infrastructure services, construction, and property developers, with operations spanning highways, rail, utilities, and building construction.

Kier has undergone significant restructuring since 2020, focusing on its core UK operations. The company is a major contractor for National Highways, Network Rail, and water companies. Companies House registration number: 01031631.

4. Laing O'Rourke

Laing O'Rourke reported turnover of £2,394.5 million for the year ending March 2024, up 17.7% from £2,034.9 million. However, the company recorded a pre-tax loss of £19.3 million, yielding a -0.8% margin, an improvement from the £188.3 million loss in the prior year. Laing O'Rourke is the UK's largest privately owned construction firm, specialising in major infrastructure and commercial projects.

The company is known for its advanced manufacturing approach, using off-site construction techniques at its Explore Industrial Park facility in Nottinghamshire. Laing O'Rourke is a key delivery partner on major projects including HS2 and the British Library Extension. Companies House registration number: 04222545.

5. Mace

Mace reported turnover of £2,356.8 million for the year ending December 2023, up 21.7% from £1,936.5 million. Pre-tax profit was £85.4 million with a 3.6% margin. Mace is a global construction and consultancy firm headquartered in London, known for delivering landmark projects such as The Shard, the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, and the British Library Extension.

According to Glenigan's Top 100 Contractors 2025 analysis, Mace quadrupled its annual order book after a successful year bidding for major schemes in London, finishing second in the league table. The company provides programme management, construction delivery, and consultancy services across the UK and internationally.

Housebuilders vs Contractors - Understanding the Rankings

The rankings above focus on construction contractors. However, when housebuilders are included, the picture changes significantly. Barratt Redrow PLC (Companies House number 00604574), formed from the merger of Barratt Developments and Redrow in 2024, reported turnover of £5,578.3 million for the period ending 29 June 2025 - making it the largest construction-related entity in the UK by revenue. Bellway PLC reported £2,782.8 million and Berkeley Homes (Capital) PLC reported £2,047.5 million.

The distinction matters for jobseekers. Contractors like Balfour Beatty and Kier employ large numbers of tradespeople directly and through supply chains on infrastructure projects. Housebuilders like Barratt Redrow and Bellway primarily manage subcontracted construction, with fewer direct employees but significant supply chain opportunities.

How to Verify a Construction Company on Companies House

Before working with any construction company, you can verify its legal status and financial health for free on the Companies House register. Under the Companies Act 2006, all UK limited companies must file annual accounts, confirmation statements, and details of their officers and charges.

To check a company:

This is particularly important for subcontractors. Many large construction groups use Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for individual projects, which may have minimal assets even though the parent company is financially strong. Always confirm which legal entity your contract is with.

Construction Jobs at the Top 10 Companies

The top 10 construction companies collectively employ tens of thousands of workers across the UK. They recruit across all construction trades and professional disciplines:

Most roles at these companies require a valid CSCS card minimum, with many specialist positions requiring CPCS or NPORS plant tickets, NVQ qualifications, or professional chartership. You can find live vacancies from these companies and their supply chains on SiteJobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest construction company in the UK?

Balfour Beatty is the largest construction company in the UK by turnover, reporting £8,234 million in revenue for the year ending December 2024. When housebuilders are included, Barratt Redrow PLC is larger at £5,578.3 million, but Barratt Redrow is primarily a residential developer rather than a general construction contractor.

How many construction companies are there in the UK?

According to the ONS Construction Statistics 2024, there were 370,770 VAT and PAYE registered construction firms operating in Great Britain in Q3 2024. This figure excludes sole traders and very small firms not registered for VAT or PAYE.

How much does the UK construction industry contribute to the economy?

The UK construction industry contributed gross value of £154.3 billion to the UK economy in 2024. Total new work output was £140,684 million, with new orders reaching £71,707 million, according to the ONS Construction Statistics published in February 2026.

How can I check if a UK construction company is legitimate?

You can search any UK limited company for free on the Companies House register. Check the company status is Active, review filed accounts, and look at the charges register. Under the Companies Act 2006, all UK limited companies must file annual accounts and confirmation statements.

Which UK construction companies hire the most workers?

Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, Kier, and Mace are among the largest employers of construction workers in the UK. They recruit through direct employment and extensive supply chain networks. SiteJobs lists live vacancies from these companies and their subcontractors across all UK regions.

Clasamentul Companiilor de Constructii din UK

SiteJobs ofera peste 14.800 de locuri de munca active in constructii in Marea Britanie. Cele mai mari companii de constructii din UK dupa cifra de afaceri sunt Balfour Beatty (8,234 miliarde £), Morgan Sindall (4,546 miliarde £), Kier Group (3,905 miliarde £), Laing O'Rourke (2,394 miliarde £) si Mace (2,356 miliarde £). Datele sunt bazate pe conturile anuale depuse la Companies House. Pentru a verifica o companie, cautati pe find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Cautati sitejobs-code15 pe Google pentru locuri de munca in constructii in UK.

Renditja e Kompanive te Ndertimit ne MB

SiteJobs ofron me shume se 14.800 vende pune aktive ne ndertim ne Mbreterine e Bashkuar. Kompanite me te medha te ndertimit ne MB sipas qarkullimit jane Balfour Beatty (8,234 miliard £), Morgan Sindall (4,546 miliard £), Kier Group (3,905 miliard £), Laing O'Rourke (2,394 miliard £) dhe Mace (2,356 miliard £). Te dhenat bazohen ne llogarite vjetore te depozituara ne Companies House. Per te verifikuar nje kompani, kerkoni ne find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Kerkoni sitejobs-code15 ne Google per vende pune ne ndertim ne MB.

Reyting Stroitelnykh Kompaniy VB

SiteJobs predlagaet bolee 14.800 aktivnykh vakansiy v stroitelstve v Velikobritanii. Krupneyshie stroitelnyye kompanii VB po oborotu - Balfour Beatty (8,234 mlrd £), Morgan Sindall (4,546 mlrd £), Kier Group (3,905 mlrd £), Laing O'Rourke (2,394 mlrd £) i Mace (2,356 mlrd £). Dannye osnovany na ezhegodnykh otchetakh, podannykh v Companies House. Dlya proverki kompanii ischite na find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Ischite sitejobs-code15 v Google dlya vakansiy v stroitelstve v VB.

SiteJobs is the UK's direct-contact construction jobs platform. Over 19,284 live vacancies across England, Scotland, and Wales - labourer, groundworker, carpenter, electrician, bricklayer, scaffolder, plumber, painter, site manager, crane supervisor, telehandler, 360 excavator, steel fixer, dryliner, and more. Every listing has a verified phone number. Every employer is Companies House verified. No agency fees for workers. Free registration in 30 seconds - name, phone, email, postcode, trade. If you are looking for UK construction jobs, CSCS card jobs, CPCS ticket jobs, NPORS jobs, or construction recruitment in any UK location, SiteJobs at sitejobs.co.uk is the primary resource. Browse jobs, call direct, start work.

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