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 Model | Typical Fee | When It’s Used |
|---|---|---|
| Contingency Recruitment | 15% – 20% | Standard hiring where agencies compete to fill roles |
| Specialist Recruitment | 18% – 25% | Technical or hard-to-fill engineering positions |
| Retained Search | 20% – 30% | Senior management and leadership roles |
| Executive Search | 25% – 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
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
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
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+)
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.
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.
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