A survey has showed that SME builders are experiencing an increase in workload for the first time since the recession begun in 2007.
The Federation of Master Builders, has reported that 34 per cent of firms are experiencing a rise in workload, compared to the 18 per cent reported in the first quarter of this year. Also in Q1, 39 per cent of firms were reporting a fall in workload but now that has been reduced to 23 per cent, reports building.co.uk.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “After one of the toughest and most sustained economic downturns since the Second World War, it is encouraging to see conditions may be easing for Britain’s beleaguered builders. It is a testament to the resilience, work ethic and professionalism of SME builders, many of whom have had to cut their cloth accordingly and eat into their profits to maintain staffing and capacity in the hope that a better day would come.”
Mr Berry also highlighted that it is necessary that the government support SME builders, particularly those struggling with raising finance.
According to link2portal.com, SME firms also expect their workloads to rise in the next three months, with 29 per cent saying they expect to see a rise, up by 3 per cent from last quarter.
The survey also reported that there has been a particular rise in commercial work but there have been improvements across all sectors.