SNIPEF State of Trade: Q2 2025
July 1, 2025
The Q2 2025 State of Trade for the plumbing and heating profession is rated Stable to Weak, marking the first slight move away from the steady conditions seen earlier in the year. While many businesses remain operationally resilient, the signs of softening first reported in Q1 have become more widespread across key indicators.
Fewer businesses are trading above expectations, and a growing number report quieter workloads. Forward-looking confidence has also weakened, with just 17% of firms expecting an improvement in order books, while 37% say future workloads have already dropped. Profit margins continue to tighten, driven by rising input costs and ongoing payment delays.
Workforce pressures remain severe. Skilled labour shortages persist, with only 4% of firms reporting high availability. Most businesses remain unlikely to recruit apprentices, highlighting ongoing concerns about training capacity and future skills supply.
Confidence in both the profession and the UK economy has continued to deteriorate. While smaller, domestic-focused firms are still holding firm in terms of day-to-day operations, the profession as a whole is becoming increasingly cautious. The latest results suggest that stability is giving way to sustained pressure, with margins, workforce capacity and future workload all under growing strain.
