The Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) annual House Builders’ Survey aims to build a clearer picture of the experience of small and medium-sized (SME) house builders in England. It is the only survey of its kind to do so.
In 2020, the planning system, with its overly complex processes and information requirements, has become the most significant barrier to increasing the SME sector’s output of new homes. The number of small site opportunities has also decreased significantly.
In the context of a recession due to the coronavirus pandemic, and ongoing Brexit uncertainty, lending conditions have become less favourable and buyer demand has fallen to its lowest levels in six years. Positively, more SME house builders will grow their workforce than contract it in 2021.
