A new report has highlighted that Scotland remains a ‘top market’ outside of London for the construction sector.
The UK and Ireland’s construction market is adjusting to a tighter pipeline, but underlying confidence and appetite for growth remain strong, according to the inaugural Construction Marketplace Health Index from Once For All.
The report uses data from Once for All’s Marketplace (formerly Constructionline) and covers construction activity from the 2018–19 financial year through to 2024–25. Each year, the platform tracks over 10,000 projects and contract opportunities.
Within this national picture, Scotland’s construction market is defined by a distinct project profile. Since 2018–19, the nation has delivered fewer projects overall than other major UK regions, with 2,522 projects compared to 8,188 in London and 3,512 in England’s north west. However, total construction value has remained disproportionately high relative to volume, placing Scotland among the highest regions nationally by average project value.
This is said to reflect a greater concentration of capital into larger, more complex schemes rather than higher volumes of smaller work.
Capital concentration is most evident in new build activity. Over the seven-year period, new builds accounted for more than £360 billion in value, representing 74% of total construction value and 48% of all construction projects.
Andy Preston, head of marketplace at Once For All, said, “What the data shows in the Scottish construction market is a concentration into fewer, higher-value projects rather than a loss of activity. This is presenting a clear choice for businesses: either compete in the high-density construction hubs, or target regions where smaller, more specialist firms can make a strong impression on local supply chains.”
The full Construction Marketplace Health Index is available to download from Once For All here. The report provides a detailed analysis of regional trends, project types and category performance across the UK and Ireland, alongside insight from contractors and subcontractors.
