Homebuilding Market Insights & Actionable Tips to Get Ahead

With over 35 years of experience connecting top talent with leading Home Building companies, Mckinnel Associates deeply understands the intricacies of construction recruitment.

To empower you with strategic insights, we meticulously analysed the results of our 2024 Salary Survey, surveying over 4,000 industry professionals. 

"Knowledge is power in this market," says Corrina Mckinnel, our founder. "Our survey goes beyond just numbers; it's your roadmap for securing competitive compensation, career advancement, and attracting the best talent." 

Our Key Takeaways 

Flexibility is key

While full-time office work remains the norm, 12% of our respondents work from home at least 1-2 days a week. This highlights the growing desire for flexible arrangements, allowing employees to achieve better work-life balance – a major factor in attracting and retaining talent. 

Growth matters most

17% of respondents prioritise career enhancement’ over a higher base salary, if you want to retain ambitious employees, consider offering clear development pathways. 

Benefits that stand out

Standard offerings like laptops (18%) and company vehicles (17%) are fairly common. Employers who go the extra mile with profit-sharing, bonuses, or e-toll coverage are significantly more likely to attract and retain top-tier candidates. 

Actionable Insights for Employers 

If you want to attract and retain great talent, here's how to use this data to attract your ideal employees: 

Offer the full package

Go beyond the pay cheque and become the employer of choice by building a culture of genuine flexibility. Champion flexible schedules, work-from-home options, support for personal commitments. Create clear career pathways and be an advocate for continuous learning.

• Consider offering the less common benefits too such as toll subsidies and fuel cards, even on a smaller scale, to stand out. 

• Highlighting other non-standard benefits you provide (company outings, gym subsidies, etc.) anything that makes your workplace unique. 

Invest in your people

It’s clear from the data that jobseekers want career advancement. Cultivate talent from within with targeted mentorship programmes, pairing experienced staff with rising stars. This boosts loyalty and builds a stronger team. Showcase your company's commitment to:  

• Structured mentorship or internal training programs (especially if you have data on their success). 

• Clear paths for promotion, even if they aren't immediate – highlight past examples of internal movement. 
  

• Flexibility – highlight options for hybrid work, flexible hours, etc. (if applicable). 

Let your culture do the talking

Foster a workplace where people thrive and are eager to bring in their talented connections. Positive word-of-mouth is a potent recruiting tool. "Better Workplace Culture" was a top motivator, emphasise this with:  

• Specific examples of your company's unique culture (events, team building, values-in action stories, etc.). 
  

• If you have any employee satisfaction data, even anecdotally, mention it! 

Get proactive about talent

Proactively network at industry events, forge connections with training programmes, and get creative in finding the best people before your competition does. 

• Specialist recruiters have deep networks of qualified candidates in the Home Building industry, including those not actively searching on job boards leverage this for faster, and more efficient hiring. 

• Consider employee referral programs and promoting the work-life balance and culture valued by your ideal candidates. 

Actionable Insights for Jobseekers 

If you’re in the market for a new role, you need to position yourself as the solution to an employer's needs. Here's how to put yourself in the driver's seat: 

Seek high-growth roles

Looking to maximise your earning potential early in your career? While many roles in homebuilding show salary increases with experience, some offer a steeper climb than others. 

• See which roles offer the biggest jumps as you progress, these roles can set you on a faster path to higher earnings. If your current role has slower salary growth, consider transitioning to a field with higher potential.  

Leverage achievements in negotiations

Wide salary ranges within experience levels suggest that skills and accomplishments play a significant role in determining pay. 

• Thoroughly document your successes in past roles. Focus on those showcasing cost savings, innovative solutions, or leadership. During salary negotiations, use these achievements to confidently justify a higher salary within the range for your current skillset. 

Highlight "hidden" desirable skills

While only 12% work from home, "Career Enhancement" and "More Management Support" are significant motivators for seeking new roles. 

• When describing your experience, emphasise skills demonstrating independence, self motivation, and the ability to take initiative. This subtly suggests you're well-suited to environments with the increased autonomy and trust valued by respondents. 

Can't find your exact role in our data? Use these tips as a framework.

Study the trends in salary increases across similar roles. Are there other areas in home building where you could apply your skills for greater growth potential? 

The Power of Informed Strategy 

Remember, our 2024 survey isn't just about numbers – it's a launchpad for informed action.  

Whether you're attracting talent or crafting your dream career, we're here to help you make decisions that lead to success.  

Download the full Salary Survey to gain access to all of the insights, here. 

If you need a deeper dive or have industry-specific questions, get in touch.