Higher salaries and rising material costs squeeze margins for builders, RAC issue warning about fuel costs and Werner launches ladder safety campaign
Higher salaries and mounting materials cost are squeezing margins for smaller builders, claims research from the FMB.
The trade body’s quarterly survey highlighted that despite an increase in workloads and enquiries, builders were facing cashflow issues.
Nearly three quarters of contractors also claimed they were struggling to find skilled workers, leading to project delays.
FMB boss, Brian Berry warned small builders were facing a perfect storm of rising costs, skill shortages and economic uncertainty.
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The cost of diesel has reached its highest point since December 2022.
Price analysis by RAC a showed that the cost of fuel had crossed 180p a litre.
Unleaded petrol also rose to a 28-month high.
RAC encouraged people to fill up as usual and use consumer apps to find the lowest possible prices before they fill up.
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Werner has launched a campaign to promote safer practices while working on a ladder.
According to HSE data, falls from height remain the country’s biggest cause of workplace fatalities.
As part of its ‘April Falls’ campaign, Werner is sharing practical guidelines and resources to help tradespeople use access equipment correctly.
The ladder maker warned that working at height safety should never become routine.
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