Builders Workloads Increase Due To Home Improvements

New data shows that 47 per cent of builders saw an increase in their workloads during the summer months. According to the Federation of Master Builders’ State of Trade Survey, 42 per cent of respondents* predict that their workloads will be higher in the autumn. The report says that total workload stayed in “negative territory” for builders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. “Expectations for future workloads are not optimistic, with respondents noting low levels of enquiries. Expected workload for the period September to October is relatively strong,” states the report. Read more on the Planning Portal.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/735/planning_news_-_15_october_2020?utm_source=PPQ+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d84ea32f7b-Newsletter_11072019_HTML_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_734e0b63a9-d84ea32f7b-7266185#one

Workloads For Small Builders Dip For First Time In Six Years

SME construction firms – pitched as crucial to hitting the government’s 300,000 homes a year target – have seen workloads dip for the first time in six years, according to latest research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). But the FMB State of Trade survey for Q1 hints at strengthened expectations for the future with 41% of construction SMEs forecasting higher workloads over the coming three months – up from 33% in Q4 2018. In the immediate term the survey shows that the array of problems for small, local builders have taken their toll to put the sector in negative territory as more respondents stated lower workloads (29%) compared with the final three months of 2018 (13%). Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/workloads-for-small-builders-dip-for-first-time-in-six-years-warns-fmb/

New Report Finds Optimism Amongst Builders

Key results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2017 have found there is some optimism from builders. The findings include:

•    UK construction SME workloads increased more significantly than at any time since Q2 2016, ie the quarter immediately prior to last June’s EU referendum

•    One in two construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming months, with just 5% predicting a decrease in activity

•    85% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next three months

•    58% of firms are struggling to hire carpenters, a post financial crisis high.

Read more on the FMB website.