New industry forecasts show the UK construction sector is set to rebound sharply over the next two years, offering a major boost for masonry companies and contractors. According to the Glenigan Autumn Forecast for 2026–2027, construction activity is forecast to grow by 21% during this period.
Key Drivers Behind the Growth
-
Housebuilding resurgence: Private housing is expected to be a primary driver of the recovery. Glenigan predicts strong underlying starts in residential construction, underpinned by improving economic confidence and lower borrowing costs.
-
Commercial and industrial expansion: Office, industrial, logistics, and leisure projects are expected to benefit from renewed business investment. Glenigan anticipates increasing activity in refurbishment and new-build across these sectors.
-
Public sector backing: Planned capital investment following the Spending Review is set to drive public sector construction, particularly in health and infrastructure.
-
Civil engineering surge: Infrastructure work is forecast to bounce back, including major utilities and transport projects, supporting long-term, large-scale masonry demand.
What This Means for Masonry
This forecast represents a significant opportunity for the masonry sector. As traditional and new construction projects ramp up, demand for brick, blockwork, stone, and other masonry elements is likely to rise sharply. Key implications include:
-
Increased demand for skilled masons: With more projects in both housing and public infrastructure, the pressure to recruit, train, and retain masonry talent will intensify.
-
Supply chain scaling: Suppliers of bricks, blocks, mortar, and related masonry products should prepare for volume growth, while maintaining quality and delivery reliability.
-
Sustainability potential: As infrastructure and public-sector work feature more prominently, there may be higher demand for low-carbon masonry materials and innovative construction techniques.
Challenges to Watch
Despite the optimistic outlook, there are some risks to manage:
-
Cost pressures: Rising labour, materials, and input costs remain a concern.
-
Planning and regulatory obstacles: Delays in approvals, especially for complex projects, could slow some growth momentum.
-
Skills gap: The masonry workforce must grow and diversify quickly enough to meet demand.
Masonry Association’s Call to Action
In light of this strong forecast, The Masonry Association is calling on its members, training partners, and industry stakeholders to:
-
Invest in skills development – Expand apprenticeship and upskilling programmes to ensure a pipeline of masonry talent.
-
Prepare capacity in supply chains – Brick and block manufacturers should assess their production capacity and logistics plans to meet the anticipated surge.
-
Promote sustainable masonry practices – Use this growth phase to push for adoption of low-carbon bricks and modern masonry methods in public and private projects.
-
Engage with policymakers – Work with government and local authorities to ensure planning and regulation support the sector’s recovery, rather than create bottlenecks.
The projected 21% growth in UK construction over the next two years marks a watershed moment for the masonry industry. By rising to the challenges and seizing the opportunity, masonry firms can not only benefit from the recovery—but help shape it in a sustainable and skilled way.
