Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £3.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Government-backed housebuilding activity creates tender opportunities for painters
- The UK residential market continues to be an important revenue stream for painters, who finish the interior of newly built houses ahead of sale. The UK housing market is showing growth over the two years through 2025-26, boosting demand for painters. According to BCIS data, although housing starts in Q4 2024 fell by 14.3% from the previous quarter, they experienced a substantial increase of 31.7% compared to Q4 2023. This positive year-on-year growth signifies an expanding market for painting contractors as construction activity accelerates.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Looming labour shortages pose a threat to the painting industry
- Skills shortages remain a critical issue for the painting and decorating industry, with 61% of businesses reporting difficulties in hiring skilled tradespeople and 55% expressing concerns about long-term skills gaps, according to Dulux Decorator Centres’ 2024 State of the Nation report. This shortage has already contributed to project delays across the sector, as well as adding pressure for painters to raise wage costs to retain workers.
Biggest companies in the Painting in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Novus Property Solutions Ltd | 125.3 | |
Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd | 18.7 | |
Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd | 8.1 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
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, such as brushes, rollers, and spray guns, to apply paint to the 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 the 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?
Products and services covered in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom include General painting, Industrial coating, Specialist painting and Surface preparation .Companies
Companies covered in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom include Novus Property Solutions Ltd, Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd and Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom include tender price, industrial coatings and trompe l'oeil.Industry Code
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 (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- 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 amid high interest rates and inflation has prompted property owners to save money by taking on paint...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
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 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
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 2020-2025
- 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 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Novus Property Solutions Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- 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 (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
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 the company's profit rather than drawing a regular wage, pushing up the industry’s average...
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 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
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 (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Painting industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Painting industry in the United Kingdom is £3.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 12,330 businesses in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Painting industry in the United Kingdom?
The Painting industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Painting industry in the United Kingdom?
The Painting industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Painting industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Painting industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Painting industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Painting industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom are Novus Property Solutions Ltd, Hankinson Whittle Programmed Ltd and Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd
What does the Painting industry in the United Kingdom include?
General painting and Industrial coating are part of the Painting industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Painting industry in the United Kingdom is Novus Property Solutions Ltd.
How competitive is the Painting industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Painting industry in the 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.
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