SME developers invited to share insights as 2026 State of Play survey launches
Small and medium (SME) home builders are invited to share their perspectives as the Home Builders Federation, Close Brothers Property Finance and Velux launch their annual SME insight survey.
Now in its seventh year, the State of Play survey provides a platform for SME home builders to share on-the-ground perspectives and experiences of the government’s housing policies. The findings will inform the forthcoming SME State of Play report, assessing the impact of Labour’s policy moves so far, as well as the impact of the conflict in Iran, as the fallout begins to trickle down into energy and supply chain cost increases.
This year’s survey covers topics such as the impact of regulation and tax burdens on the financial viability of schemes, delays in the planning process, and the absence of affordable housing providers in the market for Section 106 units. Additionally, it calls for opinions on which policy areas the next government should prioritise to support its ambitious housing targets and levels of optimism within the industry.
Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation, says: “Small and medium home builders have a vital role to play in meeting the Government’s housing ambitions, but many continue to face significant challenges, from planning delays to rising regulator costs to wider viability pressures. The State of Play survey is an important opportunity for SME builders to share their experiences and help ensure that policymakers understand the barriers affecting delivery. If Government wants SME’s to help increase housing supply, it must create the conditions that allow them to grow and invest with confidence”
Phil Hooper, chief executive officer of Close Brothers Property Finance, says: “There’s no doubt that this is one of the most difficult times in recent memory for SME housebuilders. The problems caused by a challenging sales market have been compounded by the outbreak of war and the inflationary pressures that this has caused. In such a difficult environment, we’re proud to be advocating on behalf of SMEs, helping to ensure their voice is heard. The insights from the survey are shared with policymakers at the highest levels, so we urge every SME to take part.”
Trevor Smith, national housing development manager at VELUX, says: “SME housebuilders play a vital role in delivering high-quality, sustainable homes, but many continue to face significant regulatory, planning, and economic pressures. At VELUX, we see how important SMEs are to local housing delivery, yet today’s market conditions make investment and innovation challenging. The State of Play survey provides an important opportunity for builders to share their experiences and highlight the barriers they face. We encourage SME housebuilders to take part and help inform the support the sector needs to deliver energy-efficient homes for the future.”
Our latest survey will take no more than eight minutes to complete and is open until the close of business on 30 June 2026.