Construction companies in the UK

Key facts

• Construction is the 3rd largest of firmlist's 21 industries, with about 520,000 active companies.
• The largest SIC code is 41100 (Development of building projects), used by about 109,000 active companies (21% of the industry).
• The most common registered office area is Birmingham (B), with about 13,900 active construction companies (3%).
• Construction companies are 1.7 times as concentrated in Romford (RM) as companies overall: 1.7% of them are registered there, against 1% of all active UK companies.
• 13% of active construction companies were registered in the last year, and 12% have been registered for 20 years or more, compared with 15% and 12% across the UK.
• About 71,900 construction companies registered between October 2025 and September 2026 are still on the register. The busiest month was March 2026, with about 7,750.
• 16% of construction companies on the register have a proposal to strike off, and 3% are in insolvency or administration, compared with 15% and 2% across the UK.

On the register

Share of these companies on the live register, by status.

• Active 81%
• Proposal to strike off 16%
• In insolvency or administration 3%

New registrations

Companies registered each month, October 2025 – September 2026, that are still on the register. See registrations by month across all companies.

Company age

How long the active companies have been registered.

• Under 1 year 13%
• 1–3 years 18%
• 3–5 years 13%
• 5–10 years 23%
• 10–20 years 20%
• 20 years or more 12%

SIC codes in this industry

Active companies under each SIC code. Codes with fewer than 250 active companies don't have a page of their own.

• 41100 – Development of building projects 109,000
• 41202 – Construction of domestic buildings 93,500
• 43999 – Other specialised construction activities n.e.c. 62,300
• 43210 – Electrical installation 56,500
• 43390 – Other building completion and finishing 55,300
• 43220 – Plumbing, heat and air-conditioning installation 50,100
• 41201 – Construction of commercial buildings 40,200
• 43290 – Other construction installation 37,400
• 43320 – Joinery installation 22,500
• 42990 – Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c. 17,800
• 43910 – Roofing activities 17,500
• 43341 – Painting 16,400
• 43330 – Floor and wall covering 11,600
• 43310 – Plastering 8,970
• 43342 – Glazing 7,570
• 43991 – Scaffold erection 6,650
• 43120 – Site preparation 5,190
• 42220 – Construction of utility projects for electricity and telecommunications 4,780
• 42110 – Construction of roads and motorways 4,420
• 42120 – Construction of railways and underground railways 2,590
• 43110 – Demolition 2,070
• 42910 – Construction of water projects 1,490
• 42210 – Construction of utility projects for fluids 1,120
• 43130 – Test drilling and boring 585
• 42130 – Construction of bridges and tunnels 492

Where they're registered

Active companies by postcode area of their registered office.

• Birmingham (B) 13,900
• North London (N) 11,400
• East London (E) 11,300
• Belfast (BT) 10,800
• West London (W) 9,310
• Romford (RM) 9,030
• Manchester (M) 8,940
• East Central London (EC) 8,900
• Harrow (HA) 8,890
• Chelmsford (CM) 8,570

Recently registered companies

Active construction companies registered recently.

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