Sluggish economy spooks small housebuilders

Market conditions curb SMEs – HBF

Market conditions are reducing most SMEs’ appetite to start new sites, according to a new survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF). According to the HBF’s SME Sentiment Survey, 70% of respondents say current conditions are hampering their ability to begin schemes, “reflecting ongoing concerns about scheme viability, affordability and effective demand from homebuyers”. HBF said that while market pressures were impacting the entire industry, …

Sluggish economy spooks small housebuilders

Small and medium (SME) housebuilders are being put off from investing in new projects by the UK’s economy and housing market, according to a new report. As many as 70 per cent of SME building firms said current market conditions are reducing their appetite for starting new sites and a quarter expect to cut back on land purchasing, the Home Builder’s Federation (HBF) has found. SME builders have warned they are facing an “existential crisis” as t…