The Vecta Blog

Market insights, salary data and honest hiring advice from the South Coast M&E and FM recruitment desk.

Salary Guide
June 2026  ·  5 min read

Same Job Title, Different Money: M&E and FM Pay at the Halfway Point of 2026

The same M&E or FM job title can pay tens of thousands apart in 2026. What's driving the spread, where pay is moving and what it means whether you're hiring or on the tools.

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Market Insight
June 2026  ·  4 min read

JIB Pay Deals Confirmed: What the New Rates Mean for M&E

Electricians get around 14% over three years, plumbing and HVAC operatives get 3.4% a year for two. What the new JIB agreements mean for employers and candidates.

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Hiring Trends
June 2026  ·  4 min read

The Counter-Offer Trap in M&E and FM

Counter-offers are everywhere at the moment. An honest look at why they're being thrown around, what they really cost both sides, and what to do if you've got one on the table.

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Market Insight
May 2026  ·  4 min read

Why Estimators Are So Hard to Hire in the UK Right Now

What's behind the M&E estimator shortage across the UK, what's working for clients filling the role, and where salaries are sitting in 2026.

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Salary Guide
April 2026  ·  6 min read

What M&E and FM Professionals Are Earning Across Hampshire, Surrey and Dorset in 2026

The full salary matrix for 10 roles, 3-tier offer bands, regional breakdowns and what actually gets offers over the line.

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Hiring Advice
March 2026  ·  4 min read

Retained vs Contingency: Which One Actually Works for M&E Businesses?

An honest look at both models. When retained makes sense, when contingency is fine, and when you're paying twice for the same outcome.

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Hiring Guide
February 2026  ·  6 min read

Four Roles, Four Markets: Hiring PMs, Contract Managers, AC Engineers and Gas Engineers on the South Coast

Salary benchmarks, what good looks like and what trips businesses up at the offer stage for M&E's most in-demand roles.

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Something to add to the conversation?

Whether you've got a role to fill or just want to pick our brains on the market, we're always up for a chat.