The survey urges SME housebuilders to provide information on current market conditions and identify the barriers to business growth and housing delivery.

The results will then be compiled into the State of Play report, which will be published and circulated widely to help inform government legislation, planning reforms and generate public awareness to the growing number of issues directly impacting the SME housebuilding community.  

Rowland Thomas, managing director at Close Brothers, commented: “Over the past year the housing market has been beset with challenges.

“We have seen the number of new homes being built across the UK reducing significantly, interest rates hitting a 15-year high, and house prices falling.  

“SME businesses feel the brunt of these difficult fiscal conditions, and in the housebuilding sector we have seen several businesses exit the market completely, with more expected to follow.

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“More must be done to support these businesses who provide a wealth of economic benefits to the communities they operate in.

“We’re proud to be leading the charge — alongside the HBF and Travis Perkins — to help shine a light on the challenges and find solutions.”  

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman at the HBF, added: “SME home builders are critical to increasing the country’s housing supply and supporting the economy, but their numbers are plummeting.  

“If we are to avoid losing even more businesses, action is needed to create an environment within which SME builders can operate.

“This survey and its subsequent report will help to inform ongoing efforts to protect our SMEs and increase businesses’ chances of survival.”

The survey will close at 10am on Tuesday 12th September — with responses completely anonymous — and should take around five minutes to complete: 

 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SMEREPORT2023

The results of the survey are due to launch in November 2023.