Turnover increase architectural and engineering firms doubled

In the first three quarters of 2006, the turnover increase of architectural and engineering firms doubled, relative to the same period one year previously. The number of firms also increased substantially in recent years, particularly the number of one-man businesses.

Business services sector grows across the board

In the first three quarters of 2006, turnover in the sector business services increased compared to the preceding year. This was also the case in 2005. Architectural and engineering firms are among the fastest growers in the sector.

Turnover business services, quarters 1-3 2006

Higher turnover architectural and engineering firms since third quarter of 2004

Turnover of architectural and engineering firms has grown since the third quarter of 2004. The number of orders received fell by more than 2 percent in 2004, but because prices went up by 3.6 percent, turnover increased marginally. Only in the second half of 2005, the number of orders received began to grow. This growth continued and intensified in the first three quarters of 2006 and grew by nearly 9 percent.

Turnover architectural and engineering firms

Sharp increase self-employed without personnel 

In the period 2002–2006, the number of architectural and engineering firms increased by over 2 thousand to more than 17 thousand. The number of self-employed without personnel increased grew by 25 percent to more than 10.5 thousand at the beginning of 2006. Since 2002, this type of businesses has increased significantly, whereas the number of firms employing more than one person remained unchanged. On 1 January 2006, self-employed without personnel made up over 60 percent of the total number of architectural and engineering firms.

Number of architectural and engineering firms, 1 January

Large firms account for one quarter of total turnover

More than one quarter of total turnover in architectural and engineering services (10.5 billion euro) was realised by only fifteen firms employing more than 500 persons. Despite their relatively large number, self-employed without personnel account for no more than 7 percent of total turnover. The annual turnover of self-employed without personnel averages more than 80 thousand euro, i.e. 25 percent below the average per person in the branch.

Matthijs Jacobs