The construction season is gaining momentum, and employers are actively seeking workers, with craftsmen being in high demand. In January and February, after programmers, craftsmen were the most sought-after group on the labor market. Among them, painters, insulators, and craftsmen specializing in finishing works, such as ceramicists and upholsterers, are particularly needed. To hire these workers, investors and entrepreneurs will have to allocate more funds for their salaries compared to last year. Experts suggest that the shortage of labor and rising wages could affect real estate prices.
According to data from 4zida.rs, the average price per square meter for new construction in Belgrade is currently €2,648. The highest prices are in Savski Venac (€3,145/m²) and Voždovac (€3,096/m²). In New Belgrade, the price is around €2,642 per square meter, while Zvezdara and Zemun average €2,100 and €2,800, respectively. In other Serbian cities, Novi Sad sees an average price of €2,350/m², and Niš is at €1,700/m².
Luxury properties on the rise
In addition to price increases, the structure of new buildings in Belgrade is also changing. New residential complexes with additional facilities like underground garages, gyms, and common areas are being built in areas such as New Belgrade, Voždovac and Zvezdara. Although interest in these locations remains high, demand is also growing in Zemun and Rakovica, where prices are slightly lower. Aleksandra Mihajlović from 4zida highlights the rise in luxury projects, especially in central areas like Belgrade on the Water and Vračar, where the square footage in new buildings exceeds average values. With fewer construction permits issued and increased labor costs, it’s likely that apartment prices will continue to rise.
Craftsmen’s salaries
Data from Infostud reveals that salaries in the construction sector are high for specialized craftsmen. Ceramists, painters, insulators, and construction engineers earn between 150,000 and 170,000 dinars per month, depending on specialization and experience. Carpenters and masons make between 100,000 and 150,000 dinars, while those specializing in finishing works can earn between 120,000 and 160,000 dinars. Auxiliary workers typically earn between 50,000 and 70,000 dinars per month.
Miloš Turinski, PR manager at Infostud, notes that there is a significant demand for manual laborers in construction and civil engineering, with salaries ranging from 70,000 to 100,000 dinars, and in some cases, exceeding 120,000 dinars. The labor shortage in construction is evident, as there are more open positions than qualified workers, forcing employers to offer higher wages to attract the necessary talent.
New construction in Serbia
In January, 1,526 construction permits were issued in Serbia, a 5.5% decrease compared to the same period last year. This was the lowest number of permits in the last 12 months. Of these permits, 81.9% were for buildings, and 18.1% were for other structures. A total of 1,703 apartments were reported, but with a reduced supply of new construction and a shortage of labor, the lack of workers could lead to higher square meter prices.
According to the Republic Statistical Office (RZS), the average salary in construction in December was 101,646 dinars. Saša Torlaković, president of the Union of Construction Workers and Construction Materials Industry, points out that the majority of construction workers still earn around 80,000 dinars. Serbia has lost a significant number of its construction workforce, as many have left the country in recent years. Young people are not interested in these jobs, and those seeking to retrain often lack the opportunity to do so. Torlaković emphasizes the need for vocational training programs to address the skills gap in the sector, as many workers from different backgrounds are turning to construction but have no formal certification.
Torlaković also calls for pilot projects to allow workers with different professional backgrounds to gain recognition for their skills in construction, ensuring they can continue working in the sector. He notes that importing foreign workers might be a solution, but this is a challenge many European countries face.
