In episode 109 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin breaks down the current landscape of England’s housing pipeline, examining government targets to deliver 1.5 million new homes and the latest planning reforms designed to accelerate small and medium-sized developments, the recent decline in housebuilding rates, persistent planning delays, and the impact of building safety regulations—particularly for high-rise projects. Jacob highlights new opportunities arising from government-backed projects, frameworks, and...
In episode 109 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, host Jacob Austin breaks down the current landscape of England’s housing pipeline, examining government targets to deliver 1.5 million new homes and the latest planning reforms designed to accelerate small and medium-sized developments, the recent decline in housebuilding rates, persistent planning delays, and the impact of building safety regulations—particularly for high-rise projects. Jacob highlights new opportunities arising from government-backed projects, frameworks, and funding initiatives that favour SMEs and MMC expertise. He also covers the importance of understanding NEC contracts, the benefits of “meet the buyer” events, and how to get noticed by main contractors. Tune in for practical tips to boost your visibility and win more work in a shifting market—plus Jacob’s candid take on the political and financial factors shaping the future of housebuilding in England.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The UK government has ambitious targets for new housing, but actual completions are down and planning delays persist, especially for high-rise projects.
- Recent reforms aim to speed up planning for small (up to 9 homes) and medium (10–49 homes) sites, with a focus on supporting SME subcontractors and MMC (Modern Methods of Construction).
- Subcontractors should track local planning approvals and approach SME developers early, offering their services and demonstrating relevant experience.
- High-rise residential work faces delays due to building safety regulations; subcontractors must strengthen their quality, competence, and compliance documentation.
- Government-funded projects increasingly require compliance with new standards (like CAS) and MMC expertise; up-skilling your team and showcasing relevant experience is important.
- Public sector frameworks and funding are creating new opportunities for SMEs, with improved payment terms (30 days) and more SME-friendly procurement processes.
BEST MOMENTS:
"The direction of travel is clear: Ministers want to put builders, not blockers, first, and they've promised to overhaul planning and unlock stalled sites."
"Since the Labour government took office in 2024, the number of new homes recorded in England has fallen year on year, with one report suggesting a 10% drop in the rate of housebuilding."
“Being an SME is a selling point in its own right these days."
"If you've got that expertise in-house, then you can use that again as a selling point—perhaps develop some case studies that back your own abilities to work hand in hand with those MMC installers."
"I might be adding two and two together and getting seven, but I suspect some political forces are at play here, and I wouldn't be surprised if the same is going to happen to our housing market.”
Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on.
HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories.
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/
Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/
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