Master Builder Magazine: December 2023 - January 2024

INDUSTRY UPDATE STATE OF TRADE

STATE OF TRADE The FMB Q3 2023 State of Trade Survey reveals ongoing challenges for members in three key areas

MARKET CONDITIONS

SKILLS

PRICES AND COSTS

39% of members struggle to hire carpenters

of members report material costs increased in Q3 with 55% expecting this to continue into the next quarter – an improvement from previous quarters

Total workload, enquiries and employment has dropped in Q3 of 2023 , driven by poor performance in house building and industrial and commercial sectors

71% of members have increased their prices as a result , with half reporting their business will likely make a loss or fall below expected margins

35% of members struggle to hire bricklayers

of members reported a decrease in enquiries

27% of members are restricting hiring new staff as a consequence of increased outgoings

RMI reported workloads remain positive , but have dropped off since Q2 2023

of members struggle to hire general labourers

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Master Builder

www.fmb.org.uk

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