Research from The Accountancy Partnership has investigated the biggest challenges to self-employed construction workers
42.5% of construction workers responding to the survey said that inconsistent construction work is the biggest challenge in their sector.
This reflects the unpredictability of workloads for many self-employed or freelance contractors, as economic uncertainty makes a precarious position even worse.
Low confidence for many self-employed workers
The research also showed that 27.4% of self-employed construction professionals do not feel confident that they will earn more money than last year, as 46.6% agree that inflation and rising costs are affecting their work and 38.4% say that client budget cuts have reduced demand.
In spite of this, the opinions on being a self-employed construction worker remain broadly positive, with 31.5% agreeing it had improved their work-life balance, and 27.4% saying the ability to work without a manager is a key advantage to running their business.
These findings are supported by research from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) last month, which found that in spite of market growth, construction SMEs risk the most as cost pressures continually grow. In the CIOB’s survey, 42% of firms reported changing contractors in the period July-December 2025, and 24% of those contractor changes were driven by insolvencies or firms falling into administration.
Furthermore, 57% of construction SMEs reported rising wages, and 75% expressed concern over increasing material costs.
“Income varies significantly from month to month”
Lee Murphy, managing director at The Accountancy Partnership, said: “Unlike larger construction firms that may have a steady pipeline of projects, self-employed professionals often rely on smaller contracts or short-term work. That means income can vary significantly from month to month.
“When households and businesses are feeling financial pressure, construction projects and renovations are often delayed. That creates a ripple effect throughout the industry, particularly for self-employed builders who depend on a steady stream of projects.
“Self-employed professionals not only have to manage the day-to-day work itself, but also handle tax reporting, invoicing, expenses and business planning. When income fluctuates because of inconsistent workloads, it can become much harder to plan ahead financially.”
He added: “For many skilled tradespeople, self-employment offers the freedom to choose projects, manage their own schedule and build their business in a way that suits them.
“Understanding cash flow, planning ahead for quieter periods and ensuring tax obligations are managed properly can make a huge difference when work levels fluctuate.”
The Accountancy Partnership’s full report can be found here.
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