The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has conducted a survey of members, showing positivity among chartered surveyors for 2025
Responses to the Construction Monitor indicate that workloads are still relatively flat, with the infrastructure sector being the only exception.
Despite continued difficulties in the industry, attitudes for upcoming work are quite positive.
The survey predicts workload increases in the coming days, with 28% more respondents saying they expect a higher workload over the next 12 months.
The infrastructure sector is expected to grow the most, with a net gain of 30% of survey participants expecting increased activity.
RICS UK Construction Monitor puts general labour as a large issue holding surveyors back
When asked about skills shortages, surveyors responded that bricklayers, carpenters, and plumbers were the most desperately needed roles.
General labour was cited as a large issue, with 44% of respondents highlighting the issue as limiting construction activity.
Still, the general outlook for employment is positive, with 18% of respondents predicting an increase in employment in the coming year.
Financial restraints were also listed as a large issue, with the report saying: “Financial constraints were cited as another top factor limiting activity (61%), In keeping with the still generally tight credit environment. That said, there seems to be scope for a modest improvement next year given anticipated cuts in policy interest rates, with a net balance of +11% of respondents expecting an easing in credit conditions.”
RICS senior economist Tarrant Parsons said about the RICS UK Construction Monitor: “These results show some encouraging signs of improvement for the UK construction industry as we move into the final quarter of the year.
“While growth prospects for the next twelve months appear to be brightening, challenges persist, particularly around tight profit margins across the industry and ongoing skills shortages. Industry professionals anticipate an improvement in credit conditions over the year ahead, which should provide a much-needed boost to industry confidence.”
