The UK is facing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople – and demand has never been higher.
Households across the country now make over half a million (615,280) online searches each month for local tradespeople. But where in the UK is demand for skilled hands the highest – and which trades are the most sought after?
Keen to find out, the experts at Hillarys analysed search volume data across the nation to identify the tradespeople most in demand, both regionally and nationally, as well as the most ‘repair-prone’ towns and cities.
15 most in-demand tradespeople in the UK based on ‘near by’ searches
| Rank | Tradespeople | Average monthly search volumes | Percentage of searches (%) |
| 1= | Locksmith near me | 110,000 | 17.50% |
| 1= | Plumber near me | 110,000 | 17.50% |
| 3 | Electrician near me | 90,500 | 14.40% |
| 4= | Gardener near me | 33,100 | 5.26% |
| 4= | Roofer near me | 33,100 | 5.26% |
| 6 | Builder near me | 27,100 | 4.31% |
| 7 | Handyman near me | 22,200 | 3.53% |
| 8= | Carpenter near me | 18,100 | 2.88% |
| 8= | Chimney sweep near me | 18,100 | 2.88% |
| 8= | Pest control near me | 18,100 | 2.88% |
| 8= | Plasterer near me | 18,100 | 2.88% |
| 8= | Upholsterer near me | 18,100 | 2.88% |
| 13= | Joiner near me | 14,800 | 2.35% |
| 13= | Tree surgeon near me | 14,800 | 2.35% |
| 15 | Gas engineer near me | 12,100 | 1.92% |
For the complete data, please click here.
Locksmiths and plumbers top the charts, each seeing a staggering 110,000 average monthly searches, accounting for over 17.50% of all trade-related searches. From emergency lockouts and plumbing disasters, these are the home nightmares troubling UK households most.
Electricians hold the third spot with 90,500 monthly searches, contributing to 14.40% of total tradespeople searches. With the growing adoption of smart home technology, routine electrical inspections are becoming increasingly important.
Gardening and roofing services tie for fourth place, each receiving 33,100 searches every month, making up 5.26% of all trade-related searches. The fluctuating British weather likely fuels the need for frequent roof repairs and regular maintenance.
Just behind are builders, handymen, and carpenters, with average monthly searches of 27,100, 22,200 and 18,100, respectively.
UK’s home repair hotspots: Where are tradespeople in highest demand?
| Rank | Town/City | Most in-demand trade | Monthly searches per 100,000 residents for tradespeople |
| 1 | Newcastle upon Tyne | Electrician/Locksmith/Plumber | 1,331 |
| 2 | Manchester | Locksmith | 1,284 |
| 3 | Bolton | Plumber | 948 |
| 4 | London | Locksmith | 927 |
| 5 | Bournemouth | Locksmith | 892 |
| 6 | Birmingham | Electrician/Locksmith/Plumber | 852 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | Locksmith | 757 |
| 8 | Rochdale | Electrician/Plumber | 748 |
| 9 | Stockport | Electrician/Locksmith/Plumber | 719 |
| 10 | Leeds | Locksmith | 714 |
For the complete data of all 91 towns and cities analysed, please click here.
Newcastle tops the list as the UK’s most ‘repair-prone’ city, with a staggering 1,331 monthly searches for tradespeople per 100,000 residents. Electricians, locksmiths, and plumbers are among the most sought-after professionals, each attracting around 590 monthly searches. Newcastle’s colder, wetter climate compared to other parts of the UK likely accelerates wear and tear on homes, driving up demand for skilled tradespeople.
Manchester follows closely behind in second place, with a high monthly search volume of 1,284 searches per 100,000 residents. Among all trades, searches for “locksmiths near me” dominate activity in the North West city, averaging 1,600 monthly searches for the profession alone. This could be due to more frequent lockouts, keyhole issues, or simply a growing need to upgrade home security, given the city’s vibrant nightlife.
Bolton, the Greater Manchester town, claims third place with a solid 948 monthly searches for local tradespeople per 100,000 residents. Plumbers emerge as the most in-demand trade in the area, indicating potential common issues like leaks, clogged drains and pipe damage in Bolton homes.
London takes fourth place, with 927 monthly searches for tradespeople per 100,000 residents. The UK is home to the oldest housing stock in Europe, with older properties being more common in London and Wales – likely contributing to the high demand for repairs. Locksmiths are the most sought-after in London – no surprise, given that the capital’s crime rate stands at 146% above the national average as of March 2025.
Where in the UK are tradespeople in lowest demand?
| Rank | City | Most in-demand trade | Monthly searches per 100,000 residents for tradespeople |
| 1 | Newport | Plumber | 52 |
| 2 | Nottingham | Plumber | 63 |
| 3 | Hastings | Electrician/Locksmith/Plumber | 112 |
| 4 | Sunderland | Electrician | 119 |
| 5 | Cambridge | Plumber | 133 |
| 6 | Rotherham | Plumber | 153 |
| 7 | Birkenhead | Plumber | 157 |
| 8 | Leicester | Electrician/Locksmith/Plumber | 161 |
| 9 | Bexley | Locksmith | 162 |
| 10 | Grimsby | Plumber | 164 |
Newport takes the title of the UK’s least ‘repair-prone’ city, recording just 52 monthly searches for tradespeople per 100,000 residents, hinting at a population less reliant on trades services.
Nottingham isn’t far behind, placing second with only 63 searches per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, Hastings claims third place with 112 searches per capita, suggesting a relatively lower need for home repairs.
Further north, Sunderland follows suit, registering just 119 monthly searches. Rounding out the five areas with the lowest demand for trades is the historic city of Cambridge, with just 133 searches per 100,000 residents.
Yvonne Keal, Senior Product Manager at Hillarys, commented:
“A spike in home repairs and improvements around May is common. With longer days, milder weather, and a cluster of bank holidays, homeowners tend to feel more motivated during this period to attempt to tackle jobs they’ve been putting off. It’s a natural time to look at their living space with fresh eyes and start ticking off those to-do lists.
“Interestingly, our study shows that the type of tradesperson most in demand varies by location, which could reflect regional priorities, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Larger cities like London and Manchester see particularly high search volumes for locksmiths, possibly due to higher footfall and security concerns, while areas with older housing stock may show greater demand for plumbers and electricians.”
