For more than 30 years, the FMB's State of Trade Survey has monitored key indicators and predicted future short-term developments in the UK construction industry. It is the only survey of its kind to focus exclusively on small and medium-sized (SME) firms throughout the construction sector. The survey is dispatched to the entire membership every quarter. Between 200 and 300 responses are received and they are weighted according to the number of employees.
Key findings from the FMB State of Trade Survey for Q1 2021 include:
- More than half (55%) of respondents reported higher workloads than Q4 2020,
- Enquiries increased at their fastest rate in more than a decade,
- 93% of respondents reported material price increases,
- 38% of builders are struggling to hire bricklayers, up from 22%, and 34% are struggling to hire carpenters, up from 23%.
Download the latest State of Trade survey below. Previous reports are also available for download.
