The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has published the findings of its annual research. This follows an extensive survey targeting key stakeholders.
Each year, BiKBBI undertakes a research project focused on fitted interiors specialists – inviting UK-based kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installers and installation businesses to share their views on a number of key topics relating to their business, the economy and the sector generally.
The 2025 survey was launched in March 2025 and was open to both BiKBBI registered installers and non-registered installers, and respondents were invited to participate via a number of platforms including the BiKBBI website and social media platforms, email marketing to both the BiKBBI member database and The Installer Magazine circulation list and BiKBBI stakeholder/third-party digital platforms.
This year’s research focused on the demographics of the current workforce and the challenges that installation businesses and installers feel are most important to them.
The data collected demonstrates that the ageing workforce continues to worsen, with almost two thirds of installers surveyed aged between 45-64 years. The number of installers in the 65+ years age group has also increased by +3.6% year on year. The statistics also show that only 3% of installers have entered the sector in the last 5 years, with almost 90% of respondents having been in the industry for a decade or more.
Operating costs, a decline in enquiries/customers and the cost of materials are top of the list in terms of concerns for installation businesses. For the first time, relationships with retailers also featured as a challenge for installers.
Data relating to lead generation platforms was also analysed, with results showing that more that 80% of installers are not actively seeking work through external marketing routes.
Damian Walters, BiKBBI CEO responded to the findings: “We talk regularly about the ageing workforce and the lack of new talent entering the sector, but it becomes a very real concern each year when the statistics show the same issues and challenges deepening and worsening.
We need to do more as an industry to attract new talent into our sector – this will not only close the skills gap in order to meet the needs of the consumer and the Government’s construction targets, but it will also reduce the risk that the current ageing workforce poses for manufacturers, distributors and retailers”.
He continued: “This year the findings highlighted that installation businesses continue to battle with increased operating costs and the price of materials, compounded by a decline in customer enquiries. For the first time, respondents also cited their relationship with retailers as a challenge which isn’t all that surprising when you consider that many installation businesses will be reliant on work from retail showrooms, so when the likes of household names such as Homebase fall into administration, it does impact the sentiment and confidence from installers.”
The full BiKBBI Installer Survey 2025 can be viewed here.