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Two-thirds of construction bosses are struggling to find bricklayers and carpenters for projects, according to the latest Federation of Master Builders (FMB) state of trade survey.
The quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, found that of 338 respondents, more than 68% found it difficult to hire bricklayers and 63% to hire carpenters and joiners – the highest figures since records began in 2008.
The survey also found the number of firms reporting difficulties hiring plumbers and electricians was 48%, plasterers 46% and floorers 30%.
The survey also revealed that construction SME workloads grew at a slightly slower rate than in Q3 2017, but new enquiries and expected workloads slowed more sharply – expected workloads among those firms building new homes showed a negative net balance for the first time since 2013.
It also found:
- Fewer construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming three months, down from 41% in the previous quarter to 38% in Q4 2017.
- 87% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months, up from 82% in the previous quarter.
- Nearly two-thirds of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase in the next six months.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The government has set itself an ambitious target to build 300,000 homes every year in England alone. More than two-thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers which is one of the key trades in the building industry.
“This has increased by nearly 10% in just three months which points to a rapid worsening of an already dire situation. What’s more, nearly as many are facing difficulties hiring carpenters and joiners.
“These figures are the highest we’ve noted since records began a decade ago. As a result, the wages for these increasingly scarce skilled tradespeople continue to rise sharply; that’s a simple consequence of supply and demand.
“This, coupled with the fact that small construction firms continue to face significant material price increases, will inevitably squeeze their margins and put a brake on growth.”
