SME housebuilders are losing their appetite to invest, FMB lobbies government for licensing scheme and roofer launches scaffolding price comparison platform
SME housebuilders are losing their appetite to invest in new sites — that’s according to a survey from the Home Builders Federation (HBF).
A survey from the trade body found that 70% of small and medium sized builders are being limited by the tough market conditions.
Challenges facing SME builders include scheme viability, affordability and lower buyer demand.
Despite steps to encourage them to deliver more homes, just 41% said they expect to increase the number of houses they’ll start work on in the next three months.
While 37% of homebuilders warned they have a negative market outlook.
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The FMB is lobbying the government to introduce a builder licensing programme as part of plans for a new industry regulator.
The federation argues that a licensing scheme will raise standards and project consumers.
The government plans to introduce a single construction regulator to address areas of building safety that arose from the Grenfell disaster.
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A London-based roofing contractor has launched ScaffLink, a scaffolding comparison website and booking platform.
It allows consumers and fellow roofers to get instant quotes from local vetted scaffolders, compare prices and read customer reviews.
Currently the platform caterers to trades in London and Essex, but plans to extend its reach across the country.
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