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Hiring the right engineers and facilities professionals is one of the most important decisions a business can make. Understanding recruitment agency fees helps you choose the level of support that best suits your organisation.

At HVAC Recruitment we operate a clear and transparent pricing structure, allowing clients to select the recruitment service level that aligns with their hiring strategy.

Whether you require support with permanent recruitment or a more specialist retained search assignment, our tiered model allows you to choose the level of support that best suits your hiring strategy.

HOW RECRUITMENT AGENCY FEES WORK

Recruitment agencies typically charge a percentage of the candidate’s first year salary once a successful placement has been made.

Across the UK facilities management and building services sector, agency fees generally range between 15% and 25%, depending on the level of service provided and the complexity of the role.

Factors that influence recruitment fees include:

  • Seniority of the role

  • Scarcity of specialist engineers

  • Level of recruitment support required

  • Market intelligence and benchmarking services

  • Employer branding and attraction strategy

At HVAC Recruitment we offer a structured pricing model so clients can clearly understand the value delivered at each service level.

TYPICAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY FEES IN THE UK

Recruitment agency fees vary depending on the level of service provided and the complexity of the hiring process. Most recruitment firms operate on either a contingency recruitment model or a retained search model, each with different pricing structures.

The table below provides a general overview of typical recruitment fees within the UK market.

Recruitment ModelTypical FeeWhen It’s Used
Contingency Recruitment15% – 20%Standard hiring where agencies compete to fill roles
Specialist Recruitment18% – 25%Technical or hard-to-fill engineering positions
Retained Search20% – 30%Senior management and leadership roles
Executive Search25% – 35%Board-level or highly specialised appointments

Because HVAC Recruitment specialises in the HVAC and facilities management sector, we have structured our pricing model to provide clear service tiers while remaining competitive within the specialist recruitment market.​

OUR RECRUITMENT PRICING

Our tiered recruitment model allows organisations to select the level of support that best fits their hiring requirements.

From essential candidate sourcing to a strategic recruitment partnership, each tier provides increasing levels of insight, reporting and candidate engagement.

Most clients choose our Gold package as it provides the best balance between recruitment performance and cost efficiency.

Bronze

Core Recruitment Support

10% Fee
Credit Refund:
None

What’s Included:

  • Candidate Sourcing

  • RTW Check

  • Candidate Feedback

  • Management Engagement

  • Recruitment Reporting

  • Market Insight

  • Quarterly Salary Benchmarking

  • Hiring Strategy Consultation

  • Client Introductions

  • Employer Branding

  • DBS Checks

Silver

Enhanced Recruitment Support

12.5% Fee
Credit Refund:
3 Month Staggered

What’s Included:

  • Candidate Sourcing

  • RTW Check

  • Aftercare / Feedback

  • Management Engagement

  • Basic Recruitment Update

  • Market Insight

  • Quarterly Salary Benchmarking

  • Hiring Strategy Consultation

  • Client Introductions

  • Employer Branding

  • DBS Checks

Gold

Most PopularStrategic Recruitment Partnership
15% Fee
Credit Refund:
3 Month 100%

What’s Included:

  • Candidate Sourcing

  • RTW Check

  • Aftercare / Feedback

  • Management Engagement

  • Regular Recruitment Reporting

  • Market Insight

  • Quarterly Salary Benchmarking

  • Hiring Strategy Consultation

  • Client Introductions

  • Employer Branding

  • DBS Checks

Management

Roles (£60k+)

18% Fee
Credit Refund:
3 Month 100%

What’s Included:

  • Candidate Sourcing

  • RTW Check

  • Aftercare / Feedback

  • Management Engagement

  • Regular Recruitment Reporting

  • Market Insight

  • Quarterly Salary Benchmarking

  • Hiring Strategy Consultation

  • Targeted Headhunting

  • Confidential Search

  • Senior Candidate Screening

​​​

WHICH RECRUITMENT PACKAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Bronze – Core Recruitment Support

Our Bronze package is designed for organisations that require candidate sourcing support but already have strong internal recruitment processes in place.

This option provides access to our specialist HVAC and FM talent network while keeping recruitment costs as competitive as possible.

Bronze is often suitable for:

  • Businesses with an internal HR or recruitment team

  • Companies hiring occasionally

  • Straightforward engineering roles through our permanent recruitment service

Silver – Enhanced Recruitment Support

The Silver package introduces regular communication and basic recruitment updates, helping employers stay informed on hiring progress while maintaining a streamlined recruitment process.

This option works well for organisations that recruit regularly but do not require a fully strategic recruitment partnership.

Silver is ideal for:

  • Growing facilities management providers

  • Engineering service businesses expanding their teams

  • Organisations requiring consistent recruitment support

Gold – Strategic Recruitment Partnership

Our Gold package is the most popular choice for clients.

It provides a strategic recruitment partnership, combining candidate sourcing with market insight, recruitment reporting, salary benchmarking and employer branding support.

This tier helps businesses compete more effectively in a competitive talent market.

Gold is particularly suited to:

  • Organisations hiring multiple engineers

  • Businesses competing for specialist technical talent

  • Employers wanting deeper market insight

Management – Executive & Senior Appointments

Senior and leadership roles require a more focused and consultative recruitment approach.

Our Management tier supports recruitment for positions typically £60k+, where a more targeted search and candidate engagement strategy is required, best aligned with our retained search recruitment approach for senior appointments.

This approach ensures senior candidates are identified, engaged and assessed appropriately.

WHY COMPANIES WORK WITH HVAC RECRUITMENT

HVAC Recruitment specialises in the facilities management and building services sector, allowing us to provide a level of industry insight that generalist recruiters cannot.

Our clients benefit from:

  • Access to a large network of HVAC and FM engineers

  • Specialist knowledge of the UK facilities management market

  • Salary benchmarking and hiring insight

  • Transparent recruitment pricing

  • Long-term recruitment partnerships

This sector expertise enables us to consistently deliver high-quality candidates across engineering, maintenance and facilities management roles.

SPEAK TO OUR RECRUITMENT TEAM

If you are planning to hire engineers or facilities management professionals, our team would be happy to discuss the most suitable recruitment approach for your organisation.

Whether you require a single hire or ongoing recruitment support, we can help you find the right solution.

Speak to HVAC Recruitment today to discuss your hiring requirements.

FAQ'S - TRANSPARENT RECRUITMENT PRICING

How much do recruitment agencies charge in the UK?

Recruitment agencies typically charge between 15% and 25% of a candidate’s first year salary once a successful placement has been made. The exact percentage depends on the level of service provided, the seniority of the role and the complexity of the search.

Do recruitment agencies charge upfront fees?

Most contingency recruitment services do not require upfront fees. Payment is normally only required once a candidate has successfully been placed and started their role.

What happens if the candidate leaves shortly after starting?

Most recruitment agencies provide a replacement or credit guarantee period. If a candidate leaves within the agreed timeframe, the agency will either provide a replacement candidate or offer a credit based on the length of employment.

Are recruitment agency fees negotiable?

Recruitment fees can vary depending on the level of service provided and the hiring requirements. However, choosing the lowest fee does not always provide the best recruitment outcome. A structured recruitment partnership often delivers stronger long-term hiring results.

Why do recruitment agency fees vary?

Fees vary based on several factors including the difficulty of the role, seniority, candidate availability and the level of recruitment support required. Strategic recruitment services that include market insight and employer branding support typically carry higher fees due to the additional resources involved.

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YOUR HVAC & FM RECRUITMENT PARTNER

Looking for skilled HVAC or FM professionals — or searching for your next role in facilities and building services? At HVAC Recruitment, we specialise in connecting leading employers with qualified technicians, engineers and managers — and helping candidates find rewarding, long-term work.

Whether you need permanent, contract or temporary staff, we take care of the full process: recruitment, compliance checks, payroll setup and more — so you can stay focused on running your operation smoothly.

Contact Us