NEW research has highlighted the resilience being shown by UK roofing and cladding contractors, despite a challenging period for the wider construction sector.
NFRC’s (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) latest Summer State of the Roofing Industry Report, compiled by Barbour ABI, paints a picture of ‘cautious optimism’.
The report is based on responses by 120 NFRC members. it found that workloads have remained ‘largely steady’, with many firms still seeing growth. Commercial and public sector work provided stability, even as domestic demand softened and costs continued to rise.
NFRC believe this resilience is a positive sign and points to progress, with more clients recognising the value of qualified and competent contractors. However, it may also highlight a ‘stubborn capacity gap’ driven by the skills crisis which could compromise the industry’s ability to meet future demand.
Of concern is falling enquiries and the rising number of contractors reporting political uncertainty as a challenge facing their business. NFRC said the upcoming budget will be a crucial opportunity for government to demonstrate it is committed to providing the stability needed for our industry to deliver on housing and infrastructure targets.
