Tracking developments in the UK construction industry
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 300 and 400 responses are received and they are weighted according to the number of employees.
Key findings from the FMB State of Trade Survey for Q3 2020 include:
- 9 in 10 builders (87%) said material costs are rising, up from 8 in 10 (78%) in the summer
- Only 4 in 10 builders (39%) reported a rise in workloads, down from 5 in 10 (47%) in Q2
- Employment edged into positive territory for the first time since Q4 2019
- However, 1 in 3 builders (29%) struggled to hire bricklayers, and 1 in 4 (25%) struggled to hire carpenters
Download the latest State of Trade survey below. You can also download previous reports.
