Working Away From Home in Construction: 2026 Data

Share this article

Overview

Working away used to be a normal part of a construction career. Crews followed the work, lived in digs from Monday to Thursday and drove home for the weekend. The latest research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) shows that pattern fading fast, at the same moment the UK needs more travelling labour than it has for years.

This guide sets out what the figures say, why they matter for anyone running or staffing a project, and what workers and employers can do to make time away from home something people will agree to.

What the CITB mobility research found

CITB published Workforce Mobility and Skills in the UK Construction Sector 2025 on 12 August 2026. It looks at how far site-based workers had travelled for work in the previous 12 months. The headline findings:

Distance worked from home (last 12 months)	Share of workers	Earlier comparison
No more than 20 miles

Frequently asked questions

How many construction workers work away from home?+

CITB's 2025 mobility research, published in August 2026, found that 28% of construction workers had worked more than 50 miles from home in the previous 12 months, down from 32% in 2022. Only 10% had worked more than 100 miles away, compared with 21% in 2015.

Why are construction workers less willing to travel for work?+

CITB's analysis says family, lifestyle and personal circumstances are playing an increasingly important role in where people choose to work. Practical factors such as travel time, accommodation quality and cost also affect whether working away feels worth it.

How many extra construction workers does the UK need?+

CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook 2026–2030 estimates the industry needs around 206,000 additional workers by 2030, an average of 41,200 a year.

Can I claim accommodation costs when working away in construction?+

Employees can usually be reimbursed tax-free for reasonable travel and accommodation at a temporary workplace, which generally means work at that site is not expected to last more than 24 months. Self-employed workers can often claim accommodation as a business expense. Rules depend on your circumstances, so check with HMRC guidance or an accountant.

What is the 24-month rule for working away?+

Under HMRC rules, a workplace usually stops being temporary once continuous work there lasts, or is expected to last, more than 24 months and takes up 40% or more of your working time. After that point, travel and subsistence costs for that site are generally no longer tax-free.

What should good contractor accommodation include?+

A private room or single beds, a kitchen, laundry facilities, off-street parking for vans, reliable wifi and a short drive to site. For night-shift workers, a quiet room with blackout curtains matters as much as price.

Where can I find accommodation for a crew working away?+

Look beyond hotels to holiday lets, lodges and serviced apartments near the site, especially midweek and out of season. Posting a single request with crew size, dates and budget lets local hosts reply with options that fit. You can post a request here.

Working away from home in construction: what the 2026 data says

Overview

What the CITB mobility research found

Tell hosts what you are looking for

Why this matters now

Why fewer people want to work away

What makes working away workable

A room of their own, close to site

Somewhere to cook and do laundry

Parking and secure storage

Stays that match the shift pattern

Asking for what the crew needs, up front

Allowances and tax: the money side of working away

What employers and project teams can do

What this means for property owners near big projects

Frequently asked questions

Related