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If you’re hiring through a recruitment agency, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:
What percentage do recruiters charge?
In the UK, recruitment fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the candidate’s annual salary — but the exact percentage can vary depending on the role, industry, and recruitment model used.
In this guide, we break down typical recruiter fees and what you should expect when working with a specialist HVAC recruitment agency.
For a full breakdown of our fees, visit our recruitment pricing page.
TYPICAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY FEES (UK)
Most recruitment agencies charge:
15% – 20% → Standard roles
20% – 25% → Specialist or technical roles
25%+ → Senior or hard-to-fill positions
EXAMPLE:
£35,000 salary → £5,250 – £8,750 fee
£50,000 salary → £7,500 – £12,500 fee
These percentages reflect not just the hire itself, but the time, resources, and expertise required to source the right candidate.
WHY DO RECRUITMENT FEES VARY?
Not all roles are equal — and neither are recruitment fees.
INDUSTRY SPECIALISATION
Technical sectors like HVAC, FM, and engineering require deeper candidate networks and knowledge.
CANDIDATE AVAILABILITY
Skills shortages increase competition and sourcing effort.
ROLE SENIORITY
Senior hires require more targeted search and screening.
HIRING URGENCY
Fast turnarounds often require more resource and prioritisation.
See how this impacts overall costs on our recruitment pricing page.
DOES THE RECRUITMENT MODEL AFFECT THE PERCENTAGE?
Yes — significantly.
CONTINGENCY RECRUITMENT
Typically 15% – 25%
No upfront cost
Pay on successful placement
Ideal for standard hiring needs.
Learn more about our permanent recruitment services.
RETAINED RECRUITMENT
Can exceed 25%, but structured differently
Paid in stages
Dedicated, exclusive search
Used for senior or niche roles.
Explore our retained search service.
TEMPORARY & CONTRACT RECRUITMENT
No fixed percentage fee
Instead, a margin on hourly/day rate
Best for flexible or project-based hiring.
View our temporary staffing and contract recruitment solutions.
WHAT ARE YOU ACTUALLY PAYING FOR?
Recruitment fees aren’t just about filling a vacancy.
They cover:
Candidate sourcing across multiple channels
Screening and shortlisting
Interview coordination
Market insight and salary benchmarking
Offer management and placement support
A strong recruitment partner reduces:
Time-to-hire
Hiring risk
Long-term replacement costs
HOW HVAC RECRUITMENT APPROACHES PRICING
At HVAC Recruitment, we structure our fees around:
Role type and complexity
Volume hiring requirements
Long-term client partnerships
We focus on transparent pricing and delivering value through:
Specialist HVAC knowledge
Pre-qualified candidate networks
Consistent delivery across UK and international markets
View our full recruitment pricing breakdown.
GET A CLEAR RECRUITMENT COST BREAKDOWN
Understanding percentages is useful — but real recruitment costs depend on your specific hiring needs.
Start by reviewing our recruitment pricing page to see how fees are structured.
Or, if you’d prefer a tailored quote, contact our team to discuss your requirements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What percentage do recruitment agencies charge in the UK?
Most recruitment agencies charge between 15% and 25% of a candidate’s annual salary, depending on the role, industry, and level of service required.
Is 20% a standard recruitment fee?
Yes, 20% is a common benchmark for many roles, particularly in technical and specialist industries such as HVAC and facilities management.
Do recruitment fees include guarantees?
Many agencies offer rebate or replacement guarantees if a candidate leaves within a specified period, although terms vary between providers.
Are recruitment fees different for temporary staff?
Yes. Temporary and contract recruitment typically uses a margin-based pricing model rather than a percentage of salary.
Where can I see your recruitment fees?
You can view a full breakdown of our pricing structure on our recruitment pricing page.
