Payment league table
How quickly UK contractors and housebuilders pay
From the payment practices reports large companies must file with the government every six months. Shown for every company on Construction Rating with a report from the last 18 months.
- Companies in the table
- 122
- Middle average (median)
- 31 days
- Pay in 30 days or less on average
- 57 of 122
- Hold retentions
- 98 of 113
Since 2025, companies with construction contracts must also report on retentions: whether they hold them, their standard rate, how much they hold as a share of payments, and whether the terms match the retentions their own clients hold from them. 98 of the 113 companies that report hold retentions.
The rate each company says it normally holds, 30 companies.
- 5%17 companies
- 3%13 companies
Payment practices reports, Check Payment Practices (GOV.UK).
Whether a company's retention terms match the retentions its own clients hold from it.
- Same terms19 companies
- Not the same11 companies
Payment practices reports, Check Payment Practices (GOV.UK).
| Company | Standard rate | Retentions held, % of payments | Same terms as its own client | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortel Services | 3% | 32% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Watkin Jones & Sons | 5% | 15% | No | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Nevada Construction | 5% | 6% | Yes | Apr 2026 to Sep 2026 |
| Wates Group | 5% | 4% | No | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Allenbuild | 5% | 3% | No | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Glencar Construction | 5% | 3% | No | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| John Graham Holdings Ltd | 3% | 3% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| John Sisk & Son Ltd | 3% | 3% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Speller Metcalfe | 5% | 3% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Winvic Group Ltd | 3% | 3% | Yes | Feb 2026 to Jul 2026 |
| Bennett Construction (London) | 5% | 2% | No | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Bowmer & Kirkland Ltd | 5% | 2% | No | Mar 2026 to Aug 2026 |
| Caddick Group Plc | 3% | 2% | No | Sep 2025 to Feb 2026 |
| Henry Brothers | 3% | 2% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Laing O'Rourke | 3% | 2% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Lindum Group | 5% | 2% | Yes | Dec 2025 to May 2026 |
| Morgan Sindall | 5% | 2% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Reds10 (UK) | 3% | 2% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Russells | 5% | 2% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| William Davis | 5% | 2% | Yes | Dec 2025 to May 2026 |
| Clancy Docwra | 5% | 1% | No | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| F M Conway | 5% | 1% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| M Group Highways | 5% | 1% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Morgan Lovell PLC | 5% | 1% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Multiplex Construction Europe Ltd | 3% | 1% | No | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Neilcott Construction | 3% | 1% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Overbury PLC | 3% | 1% | Yes | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| Stepnell | 3% | 1% | No | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
| Tarmac | 5% | 1% | No | Jan 2026 to Jun 2026 |
| BDL Group | 3% | 0% | Yes | Oct 2025 to Mar 2026 |
Don't hold retentions (12)
These companies report that their construction contracts have no retention clauses.
Hold retentions but didn't give the figures (47)
- 8BUILDNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 5% of payments. Apr 2025 to Mar 2026
- Balfour Beatty PLCNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Bam Construct UK LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Bam Nuttall LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 0% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- BarhaleNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Beard ConstructionNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 8% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Bouygues (U.K.) LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 4% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- CCG (Scotland)No standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- Clark ContractsNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 4% of payments. Nov 2025 to Apr 2026
- ColasNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 0% of payments. Jul 2026 to Dec 2026
- Costain Group PlcNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- DurkanNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 30% of payments. Dec 2025 to May 2026
- E.g.carter & CompanyNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 13% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- FarransNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Feltham ConstructionNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- GallagherNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- Galliford TRY InfrastructureNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- George LeslieNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- Gilbert-AshNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Heron Bros.No standard rate given. Retentions held: 3% of payments. Mar 2026 to Aug 2026
- J McCann & CoNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 0% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- J Murphy & Sons LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- J. ReddingtonNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Nov 2025 to Apr 2026
- J.N. BentleyNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Jones BrosNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- Keltbray Group LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Nov 2025 to Apr 2026
- Kier GroupNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Lendlease EuropeNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- Lovell PartnershipsNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Luddon ConstructionNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Mar 2026 to Aug 2026
- M J Church (Plant)No standard rate given. Retentions held: 15% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- M.V. KellyNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 0% of payments. Dec 2025 to May 2026
- MaceNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- McLaughlin & Harvey LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Midgard LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Nov 2025 to Apr 2026
- MJL ContractorsNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- R.G. Carter ConstructionNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- S.D.C. BuildersNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 3% of payments. Oct 2025 to Mar 2026
- Sacyr UKNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 3% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Seddon Group LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Sir Robert McAlpineNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Nov 2025 to Apr 2026
- Skanska UK PlcNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 0% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Tilbury Douglas Construction LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Trant EngineeringNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 19% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- VINCI Construction UKNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 1% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- VolkerrailNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 0% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
- Willmott Dixon Holdings LtdNo standard rate given. Retentions held: 2% of payments. Jan 2026 to Jun 2026
Companies we list without a recent payment report (55)
- Amey PLCNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Andrew ScottNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Ardmore Construction LtdLatest report is more than 18 months old (Oct 2021 to Mar 2022).
- B E C T Building Contractors LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Berkeley GroupNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Bloor HomesLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jul 2024 to Dec 2024).
- Borras ConstructionLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jul 2024 to Dec 2024).
- Bray & Slaughter LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Brenig ConstructionTurnover £12.0m in its latest accounts, under the £54m threshold, so it probably doesn't have to report.
- Bugler DevelopmentsNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Cala HomesOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Carey Group LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Carter Lauren ConstructionBelow the size thresholds (turnover £47.8m, 103 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- City & CountryNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- EcoWorld LondonBelow the size thresholds (turnover £8.7m, 29 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- Emerson DevelopmentsOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Encon ConstructionBelow the size thresholds (turnover £20.3m, 43 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- Galliard HomesNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Glenman Corporation LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Hale Construction / JG HaleBelow the size thresholds (turnover £44.7m, 74 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- Harron HomesLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jan 2019 to Jun 2019).
- Higgins GroupLatest report is more than 18 months old (Feb 2023 to Jul 2023).
- Hill HoldingsLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jan 2018 to Jun 2018).
- Homeserve PlcOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- ISG LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- John Weaver ContractorsBelow the size thresholds (turnover £25.2m, 75 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- LCB ConstructionOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- London SquareOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- M GroupNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- McCarthy StoneNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- McLaren Construction Group PlcOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- MJ Gleeson GroupOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Morganstone LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Morris HomesNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Mulalley & CoLatest report is more than 18 months old (Oct 2024 to Mar 2025).
- Ocu GroupNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- P&P BuildersBelow the size thresholds (turnover £14.6m, 84 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- PA Contract Services LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Red Construction GroupNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Renew Holdings PlcOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Robertson GroupOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Springfield PropertiesLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jun 2021 to Nov 2021).
- St Modwen HomesLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jan 2024 to Jun 2024).
- Strata HomesNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Sweet ProjectsNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- T & B (Contractors)Latest report is more than 18 months old (Jul 2024 to Dec 2024).
- Tide Construction LimitedLatest report is more than 18 months old (Mar 2021 to Aug 2021).
- Toureen GroupNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- United LivingOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Vaughan Construction LtdNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
- Vistry GroupLatest report is more than 18 months old (Jan 2023 to Jun 2023).
- VolkerWessels UK LtdOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Wain GroupOver the size thresholds, but no report found under this company. It may report through another company in its group.
- Willis Construction LtdBelow the size thresholds (turnover £19.6m, 56 staff in its latest accounts), so it doesn't have to report.
- Wynne ConstructionNo report found. Most likely under the size thresholds, or it reports through another company in its group.
How the table works
Every row is one company's latest payment practices report, the return large UK companies must file with the government every six months. It shows the average number of days the company took to pay its suppliers, the share of invoices it paid within 30 days, in 31 to 60 days and after 60 days, and the share it didn't pay within the terms it agreed. The change column compares the average with the company's previous report, so you can see who is getting faster or slower. Sort by any column, filter to contractors, housebuilders or Fair Payment Code holders, or search for a name. The retentions tab shows who holds retentions, at what rate and on what terms.
Fastest payers
The fastest payers in the latest reports are Bennett Construction (London) (5 days), Hercules PLC (6 days) and M Group Highways (15 days). Across all 122 companies, the middle average is 31 days and 57 pay in 30 days or less on average. Fast payment usually means a company has the cash and the processes to pay on time, which is worth knowing before you price a package. Use the "Contractors" or "Housebuilders and developers" filter above to see the fastest of each.
Slowest payers
To see the slowest payers, sort the table by "Slowest average", or by "Fewest paid late" in reverse to find the companies that pay the most invoices outside their agreed terms. Read a slow average with care: these reports cover every supplier, including utilities and materials, and a long average can reflect long agreed terms rather than late payment. The share not paid to agreed terms, and how it has moved since the previous report, says more about whether a company keeps its word. A rising share of invoices paid late often came before the failures in our register.
Method and sources
The figures come from the government's Check Payment Practices service. We include a company's report if its period ended in the last 18 months; older reports are listed separately with the reason. Where a group reports through its main trading company, that company's report is shown, and the report link on each row opens the original. Retentions come from the construction section added to the reports in 2025, which 113 of the companies have filed so far. Company pages show every report each company has filed since 2017 as a chart.
Questions
- How quickly do UK main contractors pay their suppliers?
- The middle company in our table takes 31 days on average, from the latest government payment reports of 122 contractors and housebuilders. 57 pay in 30 days or less on average.
- Where does the payment data come from?
- From the payment practices reports large UK companies and LLPs must file every six months under the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations, published on the government's Check Payment Practices service.
- Why isn't a company in the table?
- Only larger companies have to report: those over two of £54m turnover, £27m balance sheet total and 250 staff. Some groups report through one trading company, and a few reports are more than 18 months old. The list below the table gives the reason for each company we list without a report.
- Does a good average mean subcontractors are paid on time?
- Not always. The average covers every invoice the company pays, not only subcontractors. Check the share of invoices not paid to agreed terms, and how it has changed since the previous report.
Source: payment practices reports published on GOV.UK (Check when businesses pay invoices), reused under the Open Government Licence. Each figure links to the report. Where a group reports through its main trading company, that company's report is used and named. Size figures for companies without a report come from their latest accounts at Companies House.
Percentages are shares of invoices paid in each period, as reported. Companies are added to Construction Rating every week, so the table grows. Missing a company? Request it. How we use this data: How CR Signals work.