The demand is real. The gap is wide. And we're here to close it — one skilled woman at a time.
There has always been a quiet but very real demand for female tradespeople in UK homes. For some homeowners — particularly women living alone, elderly residents, or those in vulnerable situations — having a woman arrive to do the work simply feels more comfortable. There is no judgement in that. It is a practical, human preference, and it is entirely reasonable.
Research published in 2025 found that 96% of homeowners are open to hiring a tradeswoman, and online searches for female tradespeople have surged by 450% in recent years. BuildHers was built to meet that demand properly — not as a novelty, but as a genuinely excellent trades service that happens to be entirely female.
The UK trades sector is facing a structural crisis. The CITB's latest Construction Workforce Outlook report estimates that the industry needs 293,300 additional workers over the next five years. Over a third of the current trades workforce is already aged over 50, while just 8% are under 25.
Despite all of this, women still represent just 2% of skilled tradespeople in the UK. The Chartered Institute of Building has called this figure "quite shocking." We agree. It is also, frankly, an enormous opportunity — and one that BuildHers is positioned to address directly.
"Only 2% of UK tradespeople are women. That is not a pipeline problem — it is an opportunity. BuildHers exists to close that gap."
BuildHers UK · 2025
Trades have historically been male-dominated spaces. That is changing, and changing fast — female apprenticeships in construction and engineering have risen by 366% over the past five years, and nearly one in five women (19%) has now considered retraining as a skilled tradesperson, rising to 34% among those aged 18-34.
Part of this shift is being driven by a growing awareness of what trades can offer: flexibility, genuine earning potential, and something AI simply cannot replicate. Skilled tradespeople in the UK are now earning a median of £45,400 — and self-employed tradeswomen with strong reputations regularly exceed this.
"We built the business we would have wanted to work for. One where your safety isn't an afterthought and your confidence is considered part of the job."
Leanne — Founder, BuildHers UK
Research by Rated People found that 1 in 3 tradeswomen has experienced gender discrimination on the job. Lone working, being dismissed by clients, and operating in environments built entirely around male norms — these are not abstract concerns. They are the daily reality for many women in the industry.
BuildHers is structured to address this from the outset. Every woman in our network operates under a brand with a clear code of conduct, a defined safety framework for lone working, and a peer community of women who understand the environment. She is not navigating it alone.
The trades industry has never been built with women in mind. Long before you pick up a tool, there are barriers — feeling out of place, working alone, not knowing who to call if something goes wrong. Most companies ignore all of that. We built BuildHers around it.
Every BuildHers woman has a clear check-in system, vetted client information before every job, and direct access to the team. You never go in without backup.
We vet the clients and businesses we work with — not just our tradeswomen. If something feels off, you have the full weight of the BuildHers brand behind you.
A network of women who understand exactly what you're navigating. Share experiences, ask questions, and know that someone always has your back.
Whether you're a qualified tradeswoman ready to join now, or you want to find out more about what working with BuildHers looks like — get in touch and we'll come straight back to you.
Get In TouchWhether you need a BuildHers tradesperson, want to train with us, or are a business looking for a trusted female trades partner — we'd love to hear from you.
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