Blog
Insights, guides, and industry news for UK construction professionals. Stay informed about payment practices, contractor reviews, and what matters in the industry.
New on Construction Rating: 12 contractors added, including Galliford TRY Infrastructure, Gallagher and Feltham Construction
12 more UK contractors now have pages on Construction Rating, with payment records, CR Signals and the public contracts they've won.
Carillion: the warning signs subcontractors could see, and 12 checks before your next contract
Our first lessons learned report tells the story of Carillion's collapse, when each warning sign became visible, and the 12 checks to make before you work for a main contractor.
The State of Payment in UK Construction, 2026
From 1,952 government payment reports since 2018, large UK contractors and housebuilders now pay faster, with more invoices paid within 30 days and fewer paid late. Firms that later failed looked very different.
Why UK Construction Firms Fail: What 138 Insolvency Reports Say
We read the insolvency reports for the larger UK construction firms that have failed since 2010. Loss-making contracts were the most common cause, 88% ended in a cash crunch, and most left subcontractors with little or nothing.
Top 10 Construction Companies in the UK (2025)
Our 2025 list of the UK's ten largest contractors and ten largest housebuilders, ranked by revenue in the results they published during 2025.
New on Construction Rating: 12 contractors and housebuilders added, including Colas, Borras Construction and Carnell Support Services
12 more UK contractors and housebuilders now have pages on Construction Rating, with payment records, CR Signals and the public contracts they've won.
We've built a register of UK construction company failures
229 larger UK construction firms that went into administration, liquidation or a CVA, searchable by name, year, region and type, with timelines, last accounts and press coverage for each.
Construction Company Reviews: Why They Matter for Subcontractors
Why online reviews for construction companies are long overdue, and how they could change the way subcontractors choose who to work for.
How to Choose a Main Contractor as a Subcontractor
A practical guide to evaluating main contractors before you sign. What to check, what to ask, and how to avoid the bad ones.
Top 10 Construction Companies in the UK (2026)
The UK's ten largest contractors and ten largest housebuilders, ranked by revenue in the results they published during 2026, with how quickly each one pays its suppliers. Updated every year.
How to Check If a Contractor Pays on Time Before You Sign
Late payment costs UK businesses an estimated £11 billion a year. Here are practical ways to check a main contractor's payment record before committing to a project.
Subcontractor Rights: What to Do When a Main Contractor Won't Pay
Your legal rights as a subcontractor when a main contractor pays late or refuses to pay. A practical guide to the Construction Act, adjudication, and protecting your cash flow.
7 Red Flags to Watch For Before Working With a Main Contractor
Not every main contractor is worth working for. Here are the warning signs experienced subcontractors look for before committing to a project.
Construction Retention Explained: What UK Subcontractors Need to Know
Retention holds back a percentage of your payment as security. Here's how it works, what's fair, what to do when a contractor won't release it, and where the proposed ban on cash retentions stands.
How to Find the Best Main Contractors to Work For in the UK
What makes a main contractor worth working for? Payment reliability, communication, site management and safety. Here's how to evaluate contractors before committing.