The Royal
Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) Future Trends Workload Index continued
recovery this month, rising from +12 in January 2018 up to +17 in February; the
third consecutive monthly increase since its pre-Christmas low.
In terms
of geographical analysis the picture remains mixed. Northern Ireland returned
the lowest balance figure of zero. Practices in London also continued to be
relatively pessimistic about medium term workloads, with a balance figure of
just +1. By contrast practices in the South East returned a balance figure of
+21, Wales and the West +22, the Midlands and East Anglia +27 and the North of
England +32.
Analysing
the February 2018 workload forecast data in terms of practice size, large
practices (51+ staff) experienced a dip in confidence, returning a balance
figure of zero; medium-sized practices (11 - 50 staff) with a balance figure of
+8 were more upbeat, but it was small practices (1 - 10 staff) that were most
confident this month, with a balance figure of +18.
In terms
of different work sectors, it was mainly a positive picture this month. The
private housing sector workload forecast remained the most upbeat sector
forecast and continued its upward momentum, rising to +21 in February 2018, up
from +13 in January 2018. The commercial sector workload forecast was also on
the rise, with a balance figure of +7 in February 2018, up from +1 in January
2018.
Although
relatively weaker, the public sector workload forecast (balance figure +2) was
back in positive territory. Only the community sector forecast moved downwards,
standing at -4 in February 2018 compared with -1 in January.
The RIBA
Future Trends Staffing Index was marginally higher this month, standing at +6
in February
2018
compared with +5 in January.
This month
large practices (51+ staff), with a staffing balance figure of zero, became
less confident about their ability to increase staffing levels in the medium
term. Medium-sized practices (11 - 50 staff) with a balance figure of +13 were
much more positive about future staffing levels, whilst small practices (1 - 10
staff) with a balance figure of +5 were more cautious.
RIBA Executive
Director Members, Adrian Dobson, said:
“Commentary received from our participating practices continues to suggest a
reasonably steady if not growing market. However larger practices and those
based in London and Northern Ireland remain pessimistic about their future
workloads; this is most likely due to the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit
negotiations and also perhaps the current lack of a sitting Government in
Northern Ireland.
"The private
housing sector seems to be the main engine of any growth and a number of
practices have commented that a fast-developing build-to-rent market is
paramount to their current and future workloads.”
