Close Brothers Property Finance, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and VELUX have launched the seventh annual State of Play survey, inviting SME housebuilders to share their views on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The findings will be used to compile this year’s State of Play report, which is widely regarded as a barometer of conditions for smaller developers and has previously been presented to policymakers in Parliament.
The survey launches against a backdrop of continuing uncertainty for housebuilders. Expectations of further interest rate cuts have weakened in recent months, while higher energy costs and inflationary pressures have added to concerns over development viability. At the same time, mortgage affordability constraints continue to weigh on demand from prospective homebuyers.
This year’s survey will focus on four key areas: viability and market conditions, supply chain pressures, land availability and planning, and business sentiment.
Respondents will be asked about the impact of viability challenges on housing delivery, changes in material costs and supply chain conditions, the availability of small and medium-sized development sites, and what further measures the government could take to improve the planning system for SME builders.
The survey will also examine how market conditions are affecting business operations and ask developers what they believe policymakers most need to understand about the challenges facing the housebuilding industry.
Phil Hooper, chief executive officer of Close Brothers Property Finance, said: “There’s no doubt that SME housebuilders are continuing to navigate a challenging environment, with a slower sales market alongside ongoing geopolitical and inflationary pressures. However, this is a sector that has demonstrated resilience time and again, and as a business we have supported our clients through multiple economic cycles and downturns. We’re proud to be advocating on behalf of SMEs, helping to ensure their voice is heard. The insights gathered through this survey are shared with policymakers at the highest levels, so we would encourage SME housebuilders to take part and make their voices heard.”
Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation, commented: “Small and medium home builders have a vital role to play in meeting the Government’s housing ambitions, but many continue to face significant challenges, from planning delays to rising regulator costs to wider viability pressures. The State of Play survey is an important opportunity for SME builders to share their experiences and help ensure that policymakers understand the barriers affecting delivery. If Government wants SME’s to help increase housing supply, it must create the conditions that allow them to grow and invest with confidence”
Trevor Smith, national housing development manager at VELUX, added: “SME housebuilders play a vital role in delivering high-quality, sustainable homes, but many continue to face significant regulatory, planning, and economic pressures. At VELUX, we see how important SMEs are to local housing delivery, yet today’s market conditions make investment and innovation challenging. The State of Play survey provides an important opportunity for builders to share their experiences and highlight the barriers they face. We encourage SME housebuilders to take part and help inform the support the sector needs to deliver energy-efficient homes for the future.”
The State of Play survey will close for responses on 30 June 2026.
The survey can be viewed here.
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