Turnover in the construction industry
According to the Companies Act, turnover is:
‘The amount derived from the provisions of goods or services within the company’s ordinary activities after deduction of trade discounts, VAT and other relevant taxes’.
In general terms, turnover is the total amount that a business bills to its clients, less any discounts, VAT, and so on. It includes amounts such as the shipping that is required, and any expenses that are billed to the client.
It is important to remember that turnover is determined when the goods and services are actually provided, rather than when they have been invoiced or when the cash has been received. As income from investments such as interest and dividend income is not derived from the provision of goods and services, these are not included in turnover.
Turnover determines when a business has to register to pay Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT is a tax added to the cost of certain goods and services. It is only accountable where the party raising an invoice is VAT registered. It is necessary to register if VAT-able turnover exceeds a minimum threshold in any 12-month period.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accounting.
- Business plan.
- Business rates.
- Cash flow.
- Commercial management.
- Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).
- Construction VAT.
- Final account.
- Goods and services.
- Invoice.
- Key performance indicators .
- Price.
- Profit.
- Relevant cost.
- Revenue.
- Solvency.
- Stamp duty.
- Supply.
- Taxation.
- Whole life costs.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.




















