Home Builders Federation

The off-site BNG market is improving… …but SMEs are still being left behind. According to our recent BNG sentiment survey, off-site BNG availability is rising, with 47% of businesses now reporting sufficient supply, up from 31% last year, with registered sites increasing from 46 to 197. But the benefits aren’t evenly shared… …only 40% of SMEs say availability meets their needs, compared to 61% of major developers. SMEs are more reliant on the off-site market, and access to smaller or fractional units remains a key barrier. Confidence is also an issue, with over half of respondents reporting low confidence in the quality of off-site units. That’s why we’re calling for👇 ➡️ Better access to smaller units for SMEs ➡️Stronger quality assurance ➡️ Clear, consistent policy to support market growth Read the full BNG Sentiment Survey👉hbf.co.uk/research-insig…

What does AI mean for the future of the home building workforce? Data from the Office for National Statistics’ Business Insights and Conditions Survey shows that less than 20% of construction businesses are currently using AI… Compared with almost 40% across all industries. While 7% of businesses in other industries report that AI has reduced their headcount, the impact on construction companies is around 0%. Instead, the majority of construction firms using AI are focusing on training their existing workforce, highlighting the industry’s commitment to skill development and staff retention over automation. Looking ahead, about a third of construction businesses plan to integrate AI for training purposes in the coming months, and only 6% expect it to reduce headcount in the future - compared to an average of 11% across all sectors. View more insights in our report hbf.co.uk/research-insig…

We asked early talent how much impact they felt AI would have on careers in home building. Here’s what they told us 👇 🔶 80% of new entrants said AI will change how people work in home building over the next 10 years 🔶 67% agreed that jobs in home building are less likely to be replaced by AI than those in many other industries 🔶 70% said protection from rising automation was a motivation for joining the industry View our analysis of AI within the home building workforce hbf.co.uk/research-insig… linkedin.com/company/pluto-…

84% of house builders say BNG is challenging to implement… …including 29% that describe it as very challenging, while only 4% say implementation is easy, according to our latest BNG sentiment survey. SMEs are feeling the pressure most, with 37% reporting implementation as very challenging compared to 13% of major builders. Despite these challenges, there is still broad support for BNG, with many developers now factoring biodiversity into site design much earlier in the process. However, rising regulatory costs, alongside measures like the Building Safety Levy and increasing taxes, are stacking up, making many sites unviable and constraining housing supply.  HBF is calling for a more balanced approach to BNG implementation that supports biodiversity goals without undermining housing delivery. Read the full report 👉 hbf.co.uk/research-insig…

In just one month, the Welsh public will head to the polls to choose their next Government. With private housing delivery in Wales approaching an all-time low, urgent action is needed to create a policy environment that supports home building. Ahead of the election, we’ve set out our blueprint for action, including: 🔹Set a national all-tenure target for housing delivery. 🔹Ensure full coverage of up-to-date Local Development Plans (LDPs). 🔹Extend Help to Buy Wales beyond September 2026 to support first-time buyers. The home building industry not only provides energy-efficient new homes, but also delivers affordable housing and invests in vital infrastructure for local communities, including schools, transport links, and open spaces. Read the full blueprint 👉 lnkd.in/eVigtYiC

The planning process continues to present a major obstacle to delivery. More than three quarters of respondents to our latest SME sentiment survey identified planning delays as one of their top three supply-side barriers to building more homes. Our sentiment survey assesses the supply pressures on SME home builders 👇

There are diverse range of career pathways and entry routes available in the home building industry. Government support will be crucial to fully close the skills gap and meet housing ambitions. This includes… 📌 Ensuring all entry routes – including apprenticeship schemes – are accessible 📌 Providing long-term investment in further education 📌 Taking steps to address viability, planning and demand-side barriers.

Over 70% of SME home builders say market conditions are limiting their appetite to invest in new sites. Market pressures are particularly acute for SME developers, who are less able to absorb market volatility and tackle rising costs.

Two years on from the launch of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), our latest report explores its impact on housing delivery. Key findings 👇 🔹 84% of home builders still face challenges, with SMEs most impacted 🔹 80% report that BNG delays are linked to local authority staffing and resources 🔹 60% say BNG has made some sites unviable At the same time, rising regulatory and cost pressures, including new levies and the Future Homes Standard, are further constraining development. BNG has strong industry support, but without practical reform, it risks becoming a barrier to delivering the homes communities need. We’re calling on Government to: ✅ Boost local authority resourcing and ecological expertise ✅ Provide clearer, consistent guidance ✅ Better support SME builders ✅ Address cumulative policy cost pressures Read the full report 👉buff.ly/7Ruals8

Did you attend last year’s HBF Midlands Dinner? We’re pleased to announce it’s back in Birmingham on 14 May, and this year we’re at a fantastic new venue... The Eastside Rooms. Open to all of industry - save the date and secure your tickets today. house-builder.co.uk/events/hbf-mid…

A career in home building is full of potential and the opportunity to progress. The #homebuilding industry is a major source of training and employment, supporting around 750,000 jobs last year – including around 9,000 trainees and apprentices – across a broad range of roles from design and architecture to engineering, construction, and sales.

Higher deposits, stringent lending criteria, stagnant wage growth relative to house prices and increased interest rates have all made home ownership harder to achieve. Without a strong market to sell in to, home builders’ ability to bring forward new development is constrained with 24% of respondents identifying market conditions as causing significant caution or delaying site starts altogether. HBF continues to call on Government to introduce a new equity loan scheme, supported by contributions from home builders, to help households access homeownership. Our sentiment survey assesses the demand pressures on SME home builders 👇 hbf.co.uk/policy/campaig…

Home building offers job security – and the next generation is noticing. 🔶90% of early talent said job security was an important factor in choosing to join the industry. 🔶67% agree that jobs in home building are less likely to be replaced by AI than in many other industries. 🔶70% said protection from rising automation motivated them to join the industry. As conversations about AI and the workforce continue, these insights show a real opportunity for the industry to showcase the varied, ai-resistant careers it offers to job seekers. Download the report for more insight. hbf.co.uk/research-insig…

Tickets for HBF Wales Conference and Dinner 2026 are available now🎫 📍 Leonardo Hotel, Cardiff 📅 9 July 2026 Make sure your organisation is in the room 👉 house-builder.co.uk/events/hbf-wal…

Last chance to save: Early booking for the HBF AGM and Annual Lunch ends tomorrow 📢 Exclusive to HBF members, secure your individual ticket - or book a table today 👉 house-builder.co.uk/events/hbf-agm… linkedin.com/company/houseb…

This time last month, we were bringing together emerging talent and industry leaders at the HBF Future Talent Conference for a day of insight, discussion and networking. It was inspiring to see energy, ambition and commitment from the apprentices, graduates, and trainees that will shape the future of home building. @housebuildermag

A summary of quotes from our SME sentiment survey 👇

Home building and AI: 70% of young people say job protection from AI is a key motivation for joining the industry. As AI becomes more prevalent, we’ve reviewed sentiment across the home building industry and it’s clear that AI presents opportunities for greater productivity and planning, but most roles remain AI-resistant by their nature. As it stands, just 6% of construction businesses expect AI adoption to reduce company headcount in the future - compared to 11% of businesses in other industries. Download the full report for insight into the role of AI in the industry. hbf.co.uk/research-insig…

“Water, drainage and power connections are now serious constraints for industry.”   Chris Doré, Business Development Director at @TriConnex and @eSmartNetworks1

“The market lacks a new build buyer support scheme at scale, which is needed to unlock demand.”   @Savills took to the stage at the 2026 HBF Policy Conference to discuss market and the issues related to the demand side of home building.    @LucianCook, Head of Residential Research 
Emily Williams, Director of Residential Research