If you run a construction business, you already know the basics: your team needs to look the part, stay safe, and be easy to identify on site. But when it comes to actually ordering branded workwear, the choices can feel overwhelming. What garments? Which decoration method? How many?
This guide cuts through the noise and gives you a straightforward framework for getting it right.
Start with the role, not the garment
The biggest mistake businesses make is ordering the same item for everyone. A site manager spending most of their day in client meetings has different needs to a groundworker on an exposed site in January.
Before you pick a single garment, map out the roles on your team and what each person actually does day to day:
- On-site trades — need durable, practical garments that can handle dirt, weather, and regular washing. Hi-vis vests or jackets, fleeces, polo shirts.
- Site managers and supervisors — often client-facing, so a smarter finish matters. Embroidered softshell jackets or branded polo shirts work well.
- Drivers and delivery staff — hi-vis is often a requirement; a branded polo or t-shirt underneath keeps it professional.
- Office and admin — branded polo shirts or softshells are usually enough.
Once you've segmented your team by role, the right garments become much clearer.
The core construction workwear kit
Here's what most construction and trades businesses need:
Hi-vis vests and jackets If your team works on or near roads, construction sites, or anywhere with vehicle movement, EN ISO 20471 compliant hi-vis is a legal requirement, not a nice-to-have. Your logo can be printed or embroidered directly onto hi-vis garments without compromising compliance — just make sure your supplier knows what they're doing here.
Polo shirts The workhorse of any workwear order. Polycotton blends hold up well under repeated washing, and an embroidered chest logo looks clean and professional. Order in a colour that matches your brand and you've already set yourself apart from competitors who show up in plain t-shirts.
Fleeces and softshells Essential for UK winters. A good quality embroidered fleece will last two or three seasons and still look presentable. Softshells are smarter and worth considering for supervisors or anyone meeting clients on site.
Caps and beanies Often overlooked, but consistently popular. A branded cap or beanie is practical, visible, and ends up being worn far beyond the job site — good value for brand exposure.
Embroidery or print?
For construction workwear, embroidery is almost always the better choice. The stitching is physically part of the garment — it won't peel, crack, or fade after 50 washes. For polo shirts, fleeces, softshells, and jackets, embroidery gives a more professional finish and lasts longer under the conditions of a working site.
Screen printing or heat transfer makes more sense for t-shirts, or where you need a large back print — a company name across the shoulders, for instance. We often do a combination: embroidered left chest logo on polos and fleeces, printed back name on hi-vis.
If you're not sure which is right for your garments, send us your logo and we'll advise — no obligation.
Don't forget compliance
For hi-vis specifically, make sure any garments you order are EN ISO 20471 certified. Some sites will turn workers away if their hi-vis doesn't meet the standard, so it's worth checking before you order. At Brandify, all our hi-vis garments are compliant and we'll confirm the right specification when you get a quote.
Think about reorders from day one
Construction teams grow. People leave. Garments wear out. When you're placing your first order, think about how easy it will be to reorder six months down the line.
The ideal setup: your logo digitised and saved, a confirmed garment specification, and a supplier who can turn around small top-up orders without fuss. That's exactly how we work — once your logo is set up, reordering is quick and straightforward, even for a single garment.
No minimum order
A concern we hear often, especially from smaller firms: "We only need 10 polos — is that okay?" Yes. There's no minimum order at Brandify. Whether you need 5 hi-vis vests for a small team or 200 polo shirts for a growing workforce, the process is the same.
Ready to kit out your team? Get a quote → — we'll confirm your price within 4 hours.
Brandify (formerly Brentwood Embroidery) has been supplying branded workwear to construction and trades businesses across Essex and the UK for over 35 years.