The research suggests that the UK residential custom installation sector is in a positive position. It states that the market is sized as being worth between £910m and £975m and includes 1,000 – 1,500 active companies.

“We are pleased to announce the results of our research project,” explains Wendy Griffiths, Executive Director of CEDIA EMEA. “Now in its third year, this extensive survey provides the industry with three years of strong historical comparative data. The findings for 2013 – 2014 show that our industry is extremely prosperous, with an increase in turnover of 30%. We are pleased to see that the custom install industry remains buoyant, with around 2,500 new home technology professionals joining the market in the last year.  These results are encouraging for the whole industry, as it is proof that exciting opportunities still exist in our sector”.

The extensive research project, commissioned by CEDIA EMEA (the UK, Europe, the CIS Middle East, Africa, India and Pakistan) was carried out by international market research company, Parks Associates from July until October of this year. 270 Home Technology Professional companies based in the UK qualified for the survey, having designed and installed systems in residential properties over the last 12 months.

Other findings in the research included:

• The market research sized the UK market as worth between £910m and £975m in 2013.
• In 2012, 10,000 individuals were employed as HTPs in the UK. In 2013 that number increased 12% year-on-year to 11,250. In 2014 the number sits at 13,750 showing a 22% increase year-on-year.
• From 2013-2014, the split of new build vs. retrofit projects remains constant at 40% vs. 60%
• 63% of companies report that they complete projects in the UK only; while 37% based in the UK also operate outside of the UK. This compared to a 70%:30% split in 2013.
• Average gross turnover in 2014 is estimated at £1.54m, an increase of 30% from 2013.
• Equipment continues to account, on average, for 50% of a project’s total price.
• Approximately 85% of the UK’s custom installers complete AV projects, remaining unchanged from 2013.
• AV projects account for approximately 50% of all company residential turnover with home cinema/media rooms the largest slice at 20%.
• After AV projects lighting control/design accounts for about 13% of residential turnover.
• The average lighting project was reported at £16,697 in 2012 and £19,825 in 2013. In 2014, the expected average project revenue for lighting has increased by a remarkable 39% to £27,553.
• More than 60% of companies report that 22% of their 2014 TV installs will include Ultra HD panels, an increase from 3% in 2013
• In 2014, approximately 40% of companies report installing security systems with 85% offering homeowner monitored systems in compared to 76% in 2013

A detailed copy of the UK market research report will be available in January 2015.