More plumbing firms, but shortage remains severe
The number of registered plumbing firms grew by nearly 60 per cent in ten years, but demand is growing even faster.
The Netherlands has an increasing number of plumbing firms, but consumers and employers continue to struggle to find skilled workers. In the third quarter of 2026, around 11,500 plumbing firms were registered, compared with approximately 7,200 ten years earlier.
The growth is shown by an analysis of Chamber of Commerce data by ANP. In the first nine months of 2026, 775 new plumbing firms were established. These include both sole traders and larger companies. This increases the supply of firms, but does not automatically mean that more skilled workers are available.
Techniek Nederland estimates that around 30,000 vacancies for skilled workers in the technical sector are currently open. The industry association points out that demand for plumbers and installers has risen sharply due to making homes more sustainable, new-build construction and climate-adaptation measures. People wanting to have a heat pump, ventilation system or energy-efficient installation fitted are therefore competing for the same limited group of professionals.
The figures also show that the profession remains attractive to people starting out. Hundreds of new entrepreneurs started businesses in the first three quarters of this year, but some of them work alone or with a small team. More businesses therefore do not necessarily mean more capacity in the labour market. A self-employed person who starts their own business may also leave a job at an existing installation company.
According to UWV, the labour market was tight or very tight in the first quarter of 2026 for 87 of the 93 occupational groups examined. Plumbers are among the occupations where demand for workers continues to exceed the immediately available supply. Tensions eased slightly in some sectors, but employers are still noticing little effect, according to UWV.
The industry is therefore opting for retraining and learning on the job. Alongside full MBO vocational courses, UWV identifies MBO certificates and practical qualifications as possible routes. The challenge is that such routes take time, while making homes more sustainable and housebuilding are creating demand for additional workers quickly. The higher number of businesses is therefore primarily a sign of entrepreneurship, not of a shortage that has been resolved.
For consumers, the shortage may mean that work takes longer to arrange or becomes more expensive. For installation companies, it increases competition for workers. Whether new entrepreneurs genuinely help to reduce the shortage depends on whether they can hire and train employees.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The number of registered plumbing firms has grown substantially in ten years.
- According to industry association Techniek Nederland and UWV, demand for technical skilled workers exceeds supply.
- Making homes more sustainable, new-build construction and climate adaptation are increasing demand for technical labour.
Left
Arguments The government should organise education, retraining and public investment in such a way that making homes more sustainable does not become stalled by labour shortages. Better employment conditions and greater security could also attract more people to technical occupations.
Values Equal access to work, public coordination and a fair distribution of the costs of the energy transition.
Consequences Without additional training and good employment conditions, making homes more sustainable and affordable housing will mainly be achievable for people who can afford higher prices.
Centre
Arguments The solution lies in a combination of education, business investment and targeted government support. Training programmes must align more quickly with practical needs, but employers remain responsible for supervision and sustainable jobs.
Values Practicality, cooperation and the effective use of public funds.
Consequences A gradual approach can reduce the shortage without burdening training providers or companies with unrealistic growth targets.
Right
Arguments The labour market should become more attractive through fewer regulations, lower burdens and room for entrepreneurs to train staff flexibly. Subsidies should be temporary and targeted, so that companies invest themselves.
Values Entrepreneurship, freedom of choice and a limited role for government.
Consequences More room for companies could quickly create additional capacity, but without additional training competition for existing skilled workers may continue.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The key figures can be found in the ANP publication, and the labour-market assessment is supported by UWV. The text clearly distinguishes between the number of businesses and the number of available skilled workers.
- confirmed Around 11,500 plumbing firms were registered in the third quarter of 2026. — ANP bases this on Chamber of Commerce data. source
- confirmed Techniek Nederland cites around 30,000 open vacancies for technical skilled workers. — Mentioned by the spokesperson in the ANP publication. source
- confirmed In the first quarter of 2026, UWV classified 87 of the 93 occupational groups as tight or very tight. — Stated in UWV's labour-market analysis. source
Editor's note
The numbers of firms and new businesses come from an ANP analysis of Chamber of Commerce data. The broader shortage of technical skilled workers has been confirmed by UWV; an exact forecast for plumbers separately is unavailable.Sources
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- NU.nl — „loodgieters vakmensen”