AUDIO NEWS: Construction output grows in Q3 and the oldest plumber crowned

Construction output just about grows in Q3, tradespeople target higher value clients in 2026 and 92-year-old named world's oldest plumber

Construction output increased by just by 0.2% in September — that’s according to the latest government figures.

Growth was driven by a 0.7% lift in new work, which was enough to offset a slowdown in the repair and maintenance sector.

Overall, industry output has registered just 0.1% growth across the third quarter.

In positive news for the industry, total new orders increased by nearly 10%, driven primarily by private industrial and commercial projects.

David Crosthwaite, chief economist at Building Cost Information Services said with two weeks to go until the Autumn Budget the latest output data was “not what the chancellor wanted to see”.

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Tradespeople are intending to work smarter, not harder next year, claims research by Hafele UK.

In the poll of 500 tradies, a third said they planned to target higher value or specialist work in 2026, while 36% wanted to improve their use of quoting software, online ordering and project management apps.

A third also claimed they would hire either apprentices or trainees to strengthen their teams.

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A 92-year-old man from Pennsylvania has earned the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest plumber. 

Ross Palermo has been working on the tools since 1951 when he joined a local plumbing firm straight out of high school.

Palermo told the local newspaper that although “his knees are getting bad”, he just kept working.

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