The Real Cost of a Bad Hire | And How Specialist Recruiters Reduce the Risk

There are numerous hidden costs associated with the recruitment process. It is not only important to fill vacancies efficiently, but also in a way that leads to an increase in productivity and client satisfaction after hire. Some big companies will hire a large group of people at once, but often it is more efficient to hire the highest quality, avoiding inexperienced or unsuitable candidates that don’t work out.

Whilst on the face of it, using a construction recruitment consultancy may seem to increase the cost of recruitment, if you are looking to build a high quality and profitable workforce that meets client needs, a construction recruitment consultancy service is well worth the cost. Lets take a look at this further.

Recruiting & Onboarding Costs

Whether or not you decide to have an external construction recruitment service assist in the recruiting process, costs will be incurred from adverts, staff interview time and from your own recruitment team’s time, which may or may not be as specialised as that of an expert recruitment agency.

For a mid-level project manager, for example, costs can add up to an estimated cost of £7,000 – £21,000 on average from:

• Advertising the role
• Interview time (often involving senior stakeholders)
• Onboarding and initial training

If you don’t believe that figure look at this The Real Cost of Recruitment: A Guide (2023).

Wages and benefits for a non-performing or misaligned hire

When a poorly matched candidate exits after a short period, the salary and benefits paid during that time are sunk costs with no return on investment.

For the example, again, of a mid-level project manager:

The estimated cost: £15,000 – £30,000

Sources include: 

The True Cost of a Bad Hire—and How to Avoid It!

The Hidden Costs of a Bad Hire (And How to Avoid Them) - Live

The Cost of Bad Hiring Decisions | Spencer Clarke Group

But these are just the quantifiable “hard costs” and don't include the unreaped profits:

Lost Productivity

If the incorrect hire cannot effectively and efficiently carry out their duties, then time and money is lost. Similarly, the backpedalling process once the bad hire is identified creates a nightmare backlog of unnecessary debt, where there should have been returns. It is hard to quantify just how much money is lost when an employee is not at the correct standard, but clearly any sub-standard execution of the role is not substantive to a part of thriving business.

Project Delays | Damage to Client Relationships

Mistakes in scheduling, planning, compliance impact on timelines and subcontractors. The domino effect of a single mis-hire can be considerable and wide reaching

This domino effect from the damage of strained internal teams can reach all the way to client causing a loss of credibility and a breakdown in trust from clients or stakeholders in at least some departments of your business.

So Why Use a Specialist Construction Recruitment Agency?

Partnering with a trusted construction recruitment agency like Maxim Recruitment isn’t just a convenience—it’s a cost-saving strategy.

We specialise in sourcing and screening top talent across:

• Quantity surveying recruitment
• Construction claims consultant jobs
• Cost consultant jobs
• Construction jobs abroad

Our expertise means:

• Access to a vetted pool of candidates across the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Dubai, and beyond
• Industry insight to assess soft skills and cultural fit
• Reduced time-to-hire with lower risk of failure
• Accurate alignment of qualifications with role-specific demands (such as quantity surveyor responsibilities or quantum expert jobs)

Make Every Hire Count

In the construction industry, where delays and errors are expensive, making a smart hire isn’t optional, it’s essential. By investing in a high-quality recruitment process now, you save considerably down the line.

Whilst there may seem to be an initial leap in cost to invest in a construction recruitment agency, money is saved in the long run by having the right person for the right role, who is pre-screened and capable.

Avoid the real cost of a bad hire.  Trust Maxim Recruitment to deliver the right person for the job every time.

Steve Thomas
Construction Recruitment Director, UK & Canada
Maxim Recruitment
LinkedIn

Steve is responsible for Maxim Recruitment in the UK and Canada. He is based in the Maxim head office in Leicester, UK and the Toronto office in Canada. He regularly travels to meet employers and job seekers and attend construction industry networking events in the UK, Canada and worldwide. Steve has over 25 years of experience in construction and property recruitment and enjoys working with many repeat clients. He manages dedicated search and headhunting assignments for a range of premium UK, Canadian and international clients.