Chartered surveyors are among the first to see ahead in construction because they become involved in projects at the proposal stage.
Much of this growth has been generated by the private housing sector. Rapid house price rises over the past year and a general shortage of housing stock have prompted house builders to increase their output of new homes. 33% more surveyors reported a rise in the private housing sector than reported a fall. This is accompanied by an unspectacular but steady 11% in public works, underpinned by increased public spending in health and education.
The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, in his annual speech to the City of London referred to radical planning, housing and transport reforms to ensure that the South East can continue to grow and remain competitive with other successful areas of Europe. This included a commitment to 'take seriously the case for further new hosing development,' which will be taken as a signal that more business for housebuilders is on the way. However, this may lead to increased market volatility in the short term.
Growth in workloads was strongest in the North where a balance of 31% of surveyors reported a rise. However workloads rose generally at a slower pace than quarter one, particularly in Scotland, while continuing to fall in Northern Ireland.
Expectations for employment, profit margins and output remain largely unchanged, with many expecting the upturn to level out over the next 12 months.
Bricklayers are again in short demand, with 56% of surveyors reporting recruitment difficulties, although skills shortages eased slightly across other trades.
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