Leading quantity surveying firms are facing hikes in rates from recruitment agencies as a result of the high demand for extra staff.

The head of one top-10 QS and project management firm told QS News that agencies were demanding a higher percentage of gross salaries for placing staff. The source said the rate was rising from about 15% to a percentage in the early 20s.

He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 happened progressively over the last six months. There is a hardening of their [agencies] attitude to fee levels due to high demand for staff. It鈥檚 happening with most of the big boys.鈥�

He added that the increased rates had caused his firm to tighten its procedure for dealing with recruitment firms. He said: 鈥淲e now have a framework with a small number of firms in place on set rates.鈥�

QS News highlighted the high demand for staff late last month (Meet the new recruits, 29 April).

Source

QS News