Published: 25 Jun 2025
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026
SME State of Play report
Highlighting the barriers holding back the nation's small and medium builders
The SME State of Play report details the findings of one of the most comprehensive surveys of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) housebuilders, conducted by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Close Brothers Property Finance and VELUX.
Our latest report findings
The SME State of Play report details the findings of one of the most comprehensive surveys of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) housebuilders, conducted by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Close Brothers Property Finance and VELUX.
Key findings from the 2026/27 SME State of Play report, published November 2026, include:
- 99% say viability pressures are reducing their ability to deliver new homes.
- 82% identify viability as a major barrier to growth, up from 64% last year.
- 70% say viability pressures are significantly reducing delivery.
- 63% have delayed progressing a site or put work on hold.
- 41% have made redundancies or reduced their contracted workforce.
- 95% say buyer affordability is constraining demand for new-build homes.
