The Complete Guide to Contractor Accommodation in Leeds (2025)

Last updated: January 2025

If you are running a construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure project in Leeds and need to house a crew for four weeks or more, this guide will give you what you need.

You will learn how contractor accommodation works, what it really costs, where to book in Leeds, what should be included in the price, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause budget overruns and operational headaches.

You’ll understand:

• What contractor accommodation is and what it is not
   
• How costs compare with hotels and other options
   
• Where to stay near major Leeds project sites
   
• What a proper all-inclusive price should cover
   
• How to book accommodation correctly
   
• The most common mistakes and how to avoid them
   
• Answers to the questions project managers normally ask
   

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Contractor accommodation is housing set up specifically for people working away from home on medium to long projects. Most stays run from four weeks to twelve months or more.

This type of housing is built around the reality of site work. The properties are designed for people working long shifts who need practical, reliable living conditions rather than hotel-style extras.

Typical features include:

• Reliable, fast Wi-Fi for reporting and video calls
   
• A full kitchen for proper meals
   
• On-site laundry
   
• Individual bedrooms
   
• Shared living areas for rest and team use
   

A proper contractor setup is normally priced on an all-inclusive basis. That means energy, water, council tax and internet are wrapped into one weekly or monthly figure. Good providers also include linens, basic cleaning and ongoing maintenance.

Flexibility is part of the model. Stays are tied to project timelines rather than tourist patterns. Minimum stays usually start at four weeks, with options to extend if work runs over.

Most properties house four to twelve people, with private bedrooms and shared communal space. This keeps teams together, which simplifies logistics and communication compared to splitting crews across hotels.

Leeds is in the middle of sustained construction and infrastructure growth.

Major developments include:

• South Bank regeneration
   
• HS2-related works around Leeds Station
   
• Large office projects in the city centre
   
• Residential expansion across North and West Leeds
   
• Kirkstall Forge
   
• Citywide utilities and infrastructure upgrades
   

The accommodation market has not been built around contractor needs.

Hotels are expensive for long stays, often running £100 to £140 per person per night in the city centre. Teams end up spread across rooms and even different buildings. There is normally no kitchen, no real laundry support and constant noise issues.

Short-term rentals are inconsistent. Many hosts avoid long bookings, properties vary wildly in standard, and group sizes are often restricted. When something breaks, there is rarely professional property management.

Serviced apartments sit in the middle but still tend to be small, central and priced for short-stay visitors rather than work crews.

Purpose-configured contractor housing exists to solve those problems. It is designed around long stays, group living and predictable costs.

These are residential houses adapted specifically for work crews.

Typical setup:

• Six bedrooms (some properties offer four or eight)
   
• Two or three bathrooms
   
• Full kitchen
   
• Living and dining areas
   
• Laundry
   
• Parking options
   

These work best for complete crews staying for several weeks or months.

Weekly costs usually range from £800 to £1,500 depending on location and condition.

The main advantage is cost efficiency and keeping the team together. The main drawback is that it only makes financial sense if the property is close to full occupancy.

These are purpose-built blocks with individual units.

They usually include:

• Studio or one-bed units
   
• Shared lounges and gyms
   
• Central laundry areas
   
• On-site management
   

These work best for individual contractors or small teams.

Typical pricing is £600 to £900 per unit per month.

Privacy is better, but cost per person is higher and availability in Leeds is limited.

These are standard serviced apartments offered on longer terms.

They usually provide:

• Two or three bedrooms
   
• Small kitchen facilities
   
• Weekly cleaning
   
• Central locations
   

These suit supervisors or smaller professional teams.

Prices normally fall between £1,000 and £2,000 per week. They are professionally managed but expensive and often too small for larger crews.

For a six-person crew working a twelve-week project:

Hotel model

At an average of £110 per person per night:

Accommodation total:
6 people × £110 × 84 nights = £55,440

Estimated additional costs:

• Breakfasts: about £4,000
   
• Evening meals: about £7,500
   
• Parking: about £840
   

Total realistic hotel spend:
Approximately £67,800

Contractor accommodation model

A six-bed contractor house at roughly £1,200 per week:

£1,200 × 12 weeks = £14,400

That figure normally includes:

• Utilities
   
• Council tax
   
• Internet
   
• Kitchen facilities
   
• Laundry
   
• Parking
   

Per-person, per-night cost works out at roughly £28.50 compared to £110+ in hotels.

The financial difference over a twelve-week period regularly exceeds £50,000 for a full crew.

A genuine all-inclusive setup normally covers:

Utilities:

• Electricity
   
• Gas
   
• Water
   
• Council tax
   

Connectivity:

• High-speed internet
   
• Unlimited data
   

Furniture and equipment:

• Fully furnished bedrooms
   
• Fully equipped kitchen
   
• Living and dining furniture
   
• Linens and towels
   

Appliances:

• Washing machine
   
• Tumble dryer or drying facilities
   
• Fridge and freezer
   
• Oven and hob
   
• Microwave
   
• Kettle and toaster
   
• Television
   

Access and support:

• Self check-in
   
• Emergency contact
   
• Property management support
   

Cleaning and consumables vary by provider and should always be clarified before booking.

A key warning sign is a price that is far below market level or vague wording around “average” utility costs.

Location has a direct impact on productivity and morale.

Leeds city centre
Best for central commercial projects and South Bank work. Higher weekly costs and limited parking, but minimal commuting.

Kirkstall
Strong option for West Leeds and motorway access. Quieter, cheaper than the centre, and good for industrial and regeneration projects.

Headingley
Works well for North Leeds, university-linked projects and residential schemes.

Other practical areas include Chapel Allerton, Roundhay, Horsforth and Beeston, depending on site location.

A property within ten to fifteen minutes of the main site usually delivers the best balance of cost and crew wellbeing.

Start with real crew numbers. Do not under-estimate occupancy.

Confirm project timelines and minimum term requirements. Wherever possible, build flexibility into the booking.

Set a realistic budget based on crew size, location and duration.

Define non-negotiables like:

• Individual bedrooms
   
• All-inclusive utilities
   
• Reliable Wi-Fi
   
• Full kitchen
   
• Laundry
   
• Distance from site
   

Vet providers properly. Ask about experience, maintenance processes, references and real property photos.

If possible, inspect the property or request a live video walkthrough.

Day one usually involves sending clear project details including crew size, dates, site location and budget.

Within one to two days, providers should return availability, photos and pricing.

Once selected, you normally complete:

• Company and billing details
   
• Deposit payment
   
• Signed terms
   

Final check-in instructions are sent around a week before arrival.

On arrival, crews should check water, heating, appliances and Wi-Fi immediately and report any issues.

Late booking is the most expensive error. Good properties are often secured weeks in advance according to 100's of our guets..

Choosing purely on price can backfire if it adds long daily commutes.

Failing to confirm what is included often leads to unexpected bills.

Weak internet disrupts reporting and communication.

Skipping reviews and references increases the risk of poor management.

Verbal agreements without written confirmation cause disputes.

Over-occupying properties creates legal, safety and insurance issues.

Failing to plan for overruns leaves crews without housing if schedules slip.

Minimum stay
Most providers require at least four weeks.

Lead time for booking
Six to eight weeks is ideal for central Leeds. Four to six weeks is reasonable elsewhere.

Viewings
In-person or video viewings are normally available.

Maintenance issues
Emergency problems should be dealt with same day. Non-urgent fixes usually fall within one to two days.

Typical costs
Budget properties start around £800 per week. Premium central properties can reach £1,800 per week, all-inclusive.

Deposits
Damage deposits are usually refundable. Booking deposits are often non-refundable depending on cancellation terms.