Introduction
The UK building industry shapes the nation’s homes, offices, schools, and hospitals, driving economic growth and community development. In 2025, the sector thrives, fueled by demand for sustainable housing and modern commercial spaces. This article highlights the top building companies in the UK, focusing on leaders in residential, commercial, and institutional construction, based on recent project values and market performance.
Top Building Companies
| Rank | Company Name | Total Project Value (£) | Number of Projects | Turnover (£m, 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan Sindall Plc | 2,175,234,689 | 133 | 4,117.7 |
| 2 | Willmott Dixon Holdings Limited | 1,134,463,084 | 74 | 1,147.2 |
| 3 | Wates Construction Limited | 1,281,204,148 | 48 | 2,147.0 |
| 4 | Barratt Developments | Not listed | Not listed | 3,419.0 |
| 5 | Persimmon | Not listed | Not listed | 3,328.0 |
| 6 | Taylor Wimpey | Not listed | Not listed | 2,727.0 |
| 7 | Bellway | Not listed | Not listed | 2,225.0 |
| 8 | Vistry Group | Not listed | Not listed | 4,042.1 |
| 9 | Laing O’Rourke | 301,000,000 (Apr 2025) | 2 | 4,327.4 |
| 10 | Skanska UK | 737,856,000 | 8 | 1,450.0 |
| 11 | Balfour Beatty Group Limited | 2,851,840,160 | 39 | 9,595.0 |
| 12 | Kier Construction | 2,914,790,006 | 104 | 3,969.4 |
| 13 | Multiplex Construction Europe Limited | 2,180,000,000 | 7 | Not listed |
| 14 | BAM Construction | 1,675,076,269 | 56 | 1,200.0 |
| 15 | Mace Limited | 1,289,854,210 | 25 | 2,360.0 |
| 16 | Galliford Try Construction | 1,263,668,245 | 75 | 1,300.0 |
| 17 | Bowmer & Kirkland Limited | 1,472,702,349 | 55 | Not listed |
| 18 | Hill Partnerships Limited | 771,246,804 | 22 | Not listed |
| 19 | McLaren Construction Limited | 653,151,000 | 13 | Not listed |
| 20 | Berkeley Group | Not listed | Not listed | 1,920.0 |
Company Overview
-
Morgan Sindall Plc
Leading in public sector buildings like schools and hospitals, Morgan Sindall excels in urban regeneration and fit-outs, with projects like the Tideway Super Sewer.
-
Willmott Dixon Holdings Limited
Willmott Dixon specializes in education and leisure buildings, emphasizing sustainability and community-focused developments.
-
Wates Construction Limited
Family-owned Wates delivers residential and public sector buildings, including Parliament’s redevelopment, prioritizing social value.
-
Barratt Developments
The UK’s largest housebuilder, Barratt completed over 17,000 homes in 2024, focusing on affordable housing and sustainable communities.
-
Persimmon
Persimmon delivers thousands of affordable homes annually, expanding its portfolio with sustainable urban developments.
-
Taylor Wimpey
Taylor Wimpey offers diverse housing solutions, from apartments to family homes, driving urban regeneration projects.
-
Bellway
Bellway builds high-quality homes in prime locations, focusing on luxury residential and mixed-use schemes.
-
Vistry Group
Vistry Group, formed from Bovis and Linden Homes, leads in partnerships for affordable housing developments.
-
Laing O’Rourke
Renowned for complex buildings like the Everton Stadium, Laing O’Rourke pioneers modular construction and sustainability.
-
Skanska UK
Skanska delivers landmark buildings like Battersea Power Station, leading in sustainable commercial construction.
-
Balfour Beatty Group Limited
Balfour Beatty builds hospitals and schools alongside infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable solutions.
-
Kier Construction
Kier excels in building hospitals and schools, delivering projects like Luton DART with innovative approaches.
-
Multiplex Construction Europe Limited
Multiplex specializes in iconic commercial buildings like 50 Fenchurch Street, known for precision and quality.
-
BAM Construction
BAM pioneers sustainable building with 3D printing, delivering education and commercial projects.
-
Mace Limited
Mace manages iconic buildings like The Shard, setting benchmarks for project management and innovation.
-
Galliford Try Construction
Galliford Try delivers public sector buildings like schools, alongside highways, with a focus on partnerships.
-
Bowmer & Kirkland Limited
Privately-owned Bowmer & Kirkland excels in regional commercial and leisure building projects.
-
Hill Partnerships Limited
Hill Partnerships drives urban regeneration with residential and mixed-use developments for affordable housing.
-
McLaren Construction Limited
McLaren delivers commercial and residential buildings, emphasizing innovation and high standards.
-
Berkeley Group
Berkeley Group builds premium homes and mixed-use developments, focusing on high-end urban projects.
Why These Companies Lead
These top building companies lead due to their expertise in securing high-value contracts across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. They adopt sustainable practices like modular construction and low-carbon materials, aligning with the UK’s net-zero goals. Digital tools like BIM enhance efficiency, while their ability to navigate rising costs and labor shortages ensures resilience. Their diverse portfolios, from iconic skyscrapers to community-focused schools, make them industry frontrunners.
Looking Ahead
The UK building sector is set for growth in 2025, driven by demand for affordable housing, commercial developments, and sustainable buildings. Government policies, such as increased housing targets and green incentives, will shape the industry. Challenges like labor shortages and material costs persist, but these companies are well-positioned to innovate, leveraging modular construction and digital tools to deliver the built environment of tomorrow.
Data sourced from: Barbour ABI, The Construction Index, Glenigan, and Bluejay Solutions.
