Ad
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
11.6 C
London

U.K. Edition

Consumer demand for new homes falls by 8%, says FMB

- Advertisement -

Consumer demand for new homes has fallen by 8% over the last year to its lowest level since 2013.

The news comes after the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) published its results of its House Builders’ Survey, – the only annual assessment of small and medium (SME) house builders in England.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Small house builders are starting to see the effects of Brexit uncertainty taking its toll on consumer confidence. Many prospective homeowners are clearly holding off buying until there is more political and economic certainty. Hopefully this is just a short-term pause, and that post-Brexit, demand will pick up once again. If not, and we enter a downturn period, the Government will need to consider how best to support SME house builders to avoid many firms leaving the sector.”

Berry continued: “The main barriers facing small house builders have started to ease but they are still present. This is the fifth consecutive year that small house builders have cited lack of access to available and viable land as the number one barrier. Small sites are the bread and butter of SME development, but unfortunately local authorities’ Local Plans are still far too focused on large sites.”

Berry concluded: “The increases in planning fees by 20% in January 2018 were supposed to lead to increased speed and delivery of planning services, but only 3% of our members have seen any improvement since the rise. In fact, 38% of small builders have seen the performance of planning departments worsen. Builders are now paying more for an inferior service which needs to be addressed urgently as part of the Government’s proposals to accelerate the planning system.”

- Advertisement -

Popular this week >

Scaffolding Collapses Onto Van in North London

A large section of scaffolding collapsed onto a van...

TRAD UK Names Parkinson’s UK as Charity Partner for 2025–26

Scaffolding and construction supply specialist TRAD UK has announced...

Caspian Marks 40 Years of Excellence in the UK Scaffold Industry

A North Lincolnshire-based company is celebrating four decades at...

Scaffolding Association Urges Industry-Wide Unity Amid Renewed Scrutiny

The Scaffolding Association has issued a call for greater...

NASC ends muddle over ‘basic’ scaffolding definition

The trade body for scaffolding contractors has launched an...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Fall in Construction Enquiries, Warns FMB

Small building companies in the UK are facing a significant downturn in workloads, enquiries, and employment, with 40% of members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) reporting a decrease in the number...

Latest Topics

Scaffolding Association Urges Industry-Wide Unity Amid Renewed Scrutiny

The Scaffolding Association has issued a call for greater...

Scaffolding Collapses Onto Van in North London

A large section of scaffolding collapsed onto a van...

Caspian Marks 40 Years of Excellence in the UK Scaffold Industry

A North Lincolnshire-based company is celebrating four decades at...

TRAD UK Names Parkinson’s UK as Charity Partner for 2025–26

Scaffolding and construction supply specialist TRAD UK has announced...
- Advertisement -

Popular Categories