Salaries and day rates for fit-out experts tell a confusing tale
By Chris Wheal
August 28, 2024
You have to look closely at the details toward out what the job pays
Why is one fit-out firm paying so much more than another and how do you know your worth in the jobs market?
A flip through the fit-out job ads is a fascinating way to spend an afternoon. The range of job types and the salaries for similar jobs is telling. Here are a few:
Global Professional Consultants is advertising that a “Tier 1 construction company is seeking an experienced project manager (fit-out) with over 10 years of construction experience specialising in fit-out projects and interiors. This role presents an exciting opportunity to join high-performing project teams in Dublin, working on high-profile projects with blue-chip clients in a stimulating environment.” The salary range is given as €95k - €105k.
Northern Ireland rates
VANRATH advertised for a contracts manager in Armagh, Northern Ireland at c£60,000, which it says comes with an “excellent package”. The job is “to work on fit-out projects for a leading contractor based in Armagh”. The job was posted on 26 August but by late afternoon the next day the job had closed.
VANRATH is also recruiting a senior estimator to work for “an established bespoke fit-out company in Antrim, Northern Ireland”. There’s no salary listed. It just uses the meaningless and unhelpful phrase “£Competitive DOE + Package”.
The CSR Group is recruiting a site manager on behalf of an “NI market leader in commercial fit-outs”. The role will be based in Belfast, with no travel and a salary of around £45k - 55k. Funnily enough, Belfast firm Somerville Fit-Out is looking for a site manager on LinkedIn.
Temporary day rates
Many site manager roles in the UK are temporary. One in Hemel Hempstead to “oversee the construction and fit-out of a large-scale data centre” pays £300 - £320 per day via a limited company or PAYE umbrella. “This role has been deemed to be outside IR35 if necessary, if it passes the IR35 assessment, this will be assessed for each candidate”, the ad explains.
However, a site manager in the heart of Westminster in central London, being recruited by Randstad, working on a “£20m refurbishment and CAT A fit-out” is only worth £250 - £280 per day. You will be “supported by two site managers and an assistant site manager on the project, which includes internal architecture, structural steel, recladding and fit-out”, the ad explains.
When in Wales
Location can be vital. Project managers are usually paid more than site managers but Vibe Recruit is working for a client based in Newport to recruit an interior fit-out project manager on a permanent contract. “This client has consistently developed to provide specialist, high quality refurbishment and fit-out services to a diverse range of professional commercial clients.” The salary range is £40k - £50k.
With such wide variations, it’s hard to know if your boss is under or over valuing you.
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