New research has revealed Scottish firms experienced a period of strong growth during the first three months of 2018.

The latest State of Trade Survey from the Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) reveals workloads, expected workloads and enquiries for Scottish builders increased by 19 percentage points when compared with Q4 2018 to +7%.

Across the rest of the UK, more SMEs are predicting rising workloads in the coming three months, up from 38% in the previous quarter to 49% in Q1 2018.

However, despite strong growth, 90% of builders reported increasing material prices in Q1 2018 – the highest reading on record.

In addition, more than half (58%) of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers and 55% are struggling to hire carpenters and joiners. As a result, two-thirds (66%) of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase during the next six months, up from 62% in the previous quarter.

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Gordon Nelson, Director of FMB Scotland, welcomed a rebound in confidence and workloads for small builders following a "significant" dip in the last quarter of 2017.

"The positive results demonstrate the resilience of small construction firms in Scotland, especially given that many firms lost more than a week to the ‘Beast from the East' back in March," he said.

"Whatever the weather, currently there is clear demand for building work from home owners and other clients. These positive results are all the more welcomed given that the sector is up against considerable headwinds being created by rising material costs and the scarcity of skilled tradespeople."

Continuing, Mr Nelson said industry bosses will be taking nothing for granted "as there are stormy waters ahead for Scottish construction SMEs".

"The introduction of new income tax rates and bands, which came into effect in Scotland in April, means that almost half of the population will be paying more income tax now than their counterparts south of the border," he said.

"The prospects of many construction SMEs are determined by levels of consumer confidence and spending power. We will wait with baited breath as many Scottish home owners adjust to how the new tax rates impact on their household budgets. The tax rates may well impact how willing home owners are to commission projects such as a new kitchen, bathroom or extension – the life blood of the SME builder. This may stifle the growth experienced in the past three months."

(LM/MH)