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Painting in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Adriana De Azevedo Adriana De Azevedo London, United Kingdom Last Updated: September 2024 SIC F43.341

Revenue

£4.4bn

2024-25

£4.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

41,121

Businesses

13,521

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Painting in the UK industry analysis

Revenue is forecast to edge up at a compound annual rate of 0.1% over the five years through 2024-25 to £4.4 billion. Painters' revenue tends to fluctuate in line with economic and investment trends. Economic uncertainty initially caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and later exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict reduced confidence in both businesses and consumers, triggering reduced spending and causing consumers to accelerate their uptake in DIY projects. However, supportive government policies aimed at the UK's housing market allowed painting contractors to expand revenue, limiting decline.

Trends and Insights

  • Economic headwinds slash painting demand. Income pressures and low consumer confidence have driven homeowners to opt for DIY projects, removing a lot of potential revenue opportunities for painters.
  • A DIY painting boom dents general painting services. Economic uncertainty post-Brexit, pandemic-induced inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have prompted property owners to save money by taking on painting tasks themselves.
  • The South East proves a big draw for painters. High residential, commercial and industrial construction activity in the region provides ample opportunities for local businesses.
  • Painting contractors vie on price, quality and reputation. Aggressive marketing to build a strong image, investing in a skilled workforce and delivering high-quality work in a timely and cost-effective manner can all provide a competitive edge.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £4.4bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

COVID-19 decimates sales for painting services

  • Revenue plummeted by 17.1% in 2020-21 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions, which caused the temporary closure of many construction sites across the UK, before the implementation of safe working procedures.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Painting in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Government-backed residential construction initiatives will continue to support tender opportunities

  • To address the UK's ongoing housing crisis, the government has prioritised expanding the housing supply and creating more affordable housing through long-term initiatives. These efforts will create tender opportunities for painting contractors in the residential market.

Biggest companies in the Painting in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
Novus Property Solutions Ltd
76.8
Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd
11.8
Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd
5.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Painting in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including General painting, Industrial coating and Specialist painting. General painting is the largest segment of the Painting in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Rising DIY activity weighs on the uptake of general painting services

  • General painting services are completed using basic equipment , like brushes, rollers and spray guns, to apply paint on internal and external surfaces of buildings and structures.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Contractors in this painting industry apply paint and industrial coatings to the interior or exterior surfaces of buildings and civil engineering structures. This includes work on new projects, renovations, maintenance and repairs to existing structures.

What's included in this industry?

General paintingIndustrial coatingSpecialist paintingSurface preparation

Companies

Novus Property Solutions LtdHankinson Whittle Programmed LtdSustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

TENDER PRICEINDUSTRIAL COATINGSTROMPE L'oeil

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 43.34/1 - Painting in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Economic headwinds slash painting demand. Income pressures and low consumer confidence have driven homeowners to opt for DIY projects, removing a lot of potential revenue opp...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

A DIY painting boom dents general painting services. Economic uncertainty post-Brexit, pandemic-induced inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have prompted property owner...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The South East proves a big draw for painters. High residential, commercial and industrial construction activity in the region provides ample opportunities for local business...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Painting contractors vie on price, quality and reputation. Aggressive marketing to build a strong image, investing in a skilled workforce and delivering high-quality work in ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There are no major players. No painting contractor holds 5% or more of the market, with most companies being small, local businesses only serving a limited geographical area.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Novus Property Solutions Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Novus Property Solutions Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Painting companies have to navigate safety and environmental laws. Regulations outline rules for the handling of hazardous materials, suitable storage of chemicals and use of...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Owner-operators make profit look higher. These workers often take remuneration from company profit rather than drawing a regular wage, pushing up the industry’s average profi...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £4.4bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Painting in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 13,521 businesses in the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Painting in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Painting market in United Kingdom are Novus Property Solutions Ltd, Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd and Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd

What does the Painting in the UK in United Kingdom include?

General painting and Industrial coating are part of the Painting in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Painting in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Novus Property Solutions Ltd.

How competitive is the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Painting in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Residential Building Construction in the UK
  • Civil Engineering Project Construction in the UK

Complementors

  • Paint, Coatings & Printing Ink Manufacturing in the UK
  • Floor & Wall Covering in the UK
  • Glazing in the UK
  • Construction Supplies Wholesaling in the UK

International industries

  • Painters in the US
  • House Painting & Decorating Contractors in the US
  • Painting and Decorating Services in Australia
  • Painting and Decorating Services in New Zealand
  • Building Completion & Interior Design in China

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.