SME Home Builders Sentiment Survey Q3 2026
This Home Builders Federation and Quantum Development Finance survey aims to establish the business sentiment and investment intentions of SME home builders across England and Wales. It should take less than five minutes to complete. Please note all responses will be anonymised.
Your information
Name
*
First Name
Last Name
Company
*
Job title
*
Email
*
example@example.com
Where do you build? Select all that apply.
*
North East
North West
Yorkshire and the Humber
East Midlands
West Midlands
East of England
London
South East
South West
Wales
How many homes do you typically build per annum?
*
1-10
11-25
26-50
51-75
76-100
101-250
251-500
500+
Questions
Please answer as many as you can.
Compared with the previous three months, do you expect your business to purchase more land for development in the next three months?
Please Select
Significantly more
Slightly more
About the same
Slightly less
Significantly less
Compared with the previous three months, do you expect your business to start the construction of more homes in the next three months?
Please Select
Significantly more
Slightly more
About the same
Slightly less
Significantly less
To what extent are current market conditions influencing your willingness to start new sites?
Please Select
Encouraging significant expansion
Encouraging some/moderate expansion
No impact
Causing some/moderate caution
Causing significant caution / delaying starts
How would you describe your overall outlook on the housing market over the next three months for each region you operate in?
Rows
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Neutral
Somewhat negative
Very negative
NA/do not operate in this region
North East
North West
Yorkshire and the Humber
East Midlands
West Midlands
East of England
London
South East
South West
Wales
Which three demand side factors most limit your ability to deliver new homes?
First-time buyer activity levels
Mortgage interest rates
Availability of mortgage finance
Affordability
Low buyer confidence
Housing market conditions
Reduced demand from buy to let/investors
Cost of living
Stamp Duty Land Tax
Demand from Registered Providers for Section 106 units
Other
Which three supply side factors most limit your ability to deliver new homes?
Planning process delays
Availability and terms of Homes England funding/support
Access to development finance
Cost/supply of materials
Cost/availability of land
Cost/supply of labour
Speed of utility connections/infrastructure delays
Regulatory and taxation burden
Development viability
Building Safety Regulator delays
Water issues e.g. nutrient/water neutrality, wastewater
Other
Which actions by the new political leadership would have the greatest impact on your confidence to invest in new housing developments? Please select up to five.
Ensuring faster and more predictable planning decisions
Investing in infrastructure to unlock development sites
Regenerating town and city centres
Supporting access to development finance
Increasing home ownership opportunities for first-time buyers
Encouraging higher-density development
Devolving more planning and housing powers
Increasing availability of small and medium sized sites
Ensuring a stable policy and investment environment
Addressing skills needs
Accelerating brownfield land remediation and reuse
Improving transport connectivity to support new communities
Reforming developer contributions to support viability
Building more council and social homes
Encouraging public-private partnerships to deliver housing
Continuing to adhere to fiscal rules
Reform Stamp Duty Land Tax
Other
How likely is your business to still be operating as an SME house builder in five years' time?
Very likely
Fairly likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely
Don't know
Do you have any comments or other issues you would like to raise?
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Topical questions: Building Safety Levy
With the introduction of the Building Safety Levy imminent and the Government's recent confirmation that medium sized sites (10-50 units) will not be exempt, we are seeking further information on its potential impact.
To what extent do you agree with the following statement: The costs associated with the Building Safety Levy will render some developments unviable.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Unsure
Have you delayed, redesigned, or cancelled any schemes because of the levy?
Yes
No
Looking ahead, how likely is the Building Safety Levy to affect your willingness to invest in new development opportunities?
Much more likely to invest
Slightly more likely to invest
No difference
Slightly less likely to invest
Much less likely to invest
Too early to say
Are there any comments you'd like to make on the BSL?
Thank you
For taking the time to participate in this survey. Please contact emma.ramell@hbf.co.uk if you have any questions.
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