FMB members enjoy strong start

Members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) enjoyed a healthy start to the year and are confident of an even stronger spring.

The FMB's latest State of Trade Survey shows a positive balance of 19 reporting a higher workload in the first quarter, compared with a positive balance of just 5 in the final quarter of last year. The three most buoyant regions are: Scotland (+67), the North East (+54) and Wales (+50).

Success in the first quarter has made FMB members more confident about the second quarter, with a positive balance of 33 expecting a higher workload. The regions expecting the biggest boost are: East Midlands (+57), Yorkshire & Humber (+47) and the North East (+45).

Nearly a third (30%) of FMB members reported that carpenters/joiners are the most difficult directly employed trade to find. The most difficult subcontracted tradesmen to find are plumbers/H&V engineers, with 28% of FMB members struggling to find them.