Starts and completions of new build dwellings in the UK, on a quarterly and annual basis, time series data

Private companies were responsible for most of the new homes built in the United Kingdom (UK), amounting to ******* units in 2023. Housing completions in the UK decreased for three years in a row between 2007 and 2010. This was followed by several years of fluctuation and a gradual increase from 2013 to 2019. The number of homes completed in England remained relatively stable in 2021 and 2022, after reaching a low point in the second quarter of 2020 due to the restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Construction starts and completions Comparing the number of starts and completions in London side-by-side shows that whenever there is a significant growth or fall in the number of projects started, that peak or valley tends to be reflected in the number of buildings completed a couple of years later. Nevertheless, disruptions, delays, and other obstacles may affect that correlation. Still, observing how many home construction projects started in the UK can provide some insight into the level of activity that construction companies may have in the near future. Given that the number of housing starts is forecast to fall in 2023, there might be slightly less work to be carried out the following year. Nevertheless, housing starts are expected to pick up again by 2024 and 2025. Housing associations in the UK Housing associations are not-for-profit organizations created to develop and rent homes for a lower price than in the private market. They have acquired certain relevance in the UK, although this type of organization also exists in other countries. On several occasions during the past decade, over a fifth of housing starts in London were developed by housing associations. Meanwhile, the number of new homes completed in Scotland by housing associations has increased a lot throughout the years, with several thousand units constructed every year during the past decades.

Residential building contractors are contingent on the propensity of property developers to invest in new ventures; movements in property prices; government schemes intended to boost the housing supply; and underlying sentiment in the housing market. Industry contractors have endured turbulent operating conditions over the past five years, leading to volatile shifts in revenue and profitability. Revenue is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 1% over the five years through 2024-25, reaching £97.4 billion. The pandemic caused a significant drop in output in 2020-21, as restrictions placed on on-site activity and fewer enquiries for new housing units reduced revenue opportunities. Aided by government support for the housing market and the release of pent-up demand, 2021-22 was characterised by a strong rebound in activity, though materials and labour shortages maintained constraints on output. Mounting supply chain disruption and heightened economic uncertainty maintained pressure on output in the following year, though revenue growth was maintained by growth in average selling prices. Interest rate hikes and inflationary pressures led to a more subdued housing market in 2022-23, holding back the number of housing starts and completions during the year. This was followed by a slump in new residential building construction in the following year, as high borrowing costs and uncertain market conditions caused developers to scale back investment plans. Revenue is set to grow by 1.5% in 2024-25, aided by a slight improvement in new orders for residential building construction and an uptick in average selling prices. Revenue is slated to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.5% to reach £105.1 billion over the five years through 2029-30. Housebuilding activity is set to grow in the medium-term, aided by the release of pent-up demand. Nonetheless, significant uncertainty remains, with mortgage rates likely to settle well-above pre-pandemic levels and supply chains remaining fragile. The new government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million houses during the first five years of parliament will boost demand for industry contractors, though the full impact of this on growth prospects is dependent on the nature and extent of accompanying funding plans.

This statistic shows housebuilding completions in England from the fiscal year of 2001/02 to the fiscal year of 2017/18, showing the mix between houses and flats each year. In the fiscal year of 2017/18, houses accounted for ** percent of residential buildings constructed in England.

England was the country with the most of the new home construction starts in the United Kingdom in the last quarter of 2024, with ****** units. Housing starts in England declined very sharply in the second half of 2023, while those figures remained more stable in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland was the region with the least new housing constructions started in 2024.

The Residential Construction Market Report is Segmented by Type (Villas and Landed Houses and Condominiums and Apartments) and Key Cities (London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, and the Rest of the UK). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecasts for UK Residential Construction Market in Value (USD) for all the Above Segments.

The number of housing units whose construction started in Wales in 2023 was over three times higher than in 2020. The source did not provide data for 2021. Overall, the number of housing starts has decreased a lot between 2000 and 2020. Wales was the country with the lowest number of housing completions per capita in Great Britain.

Time series data on starts and completions of new build dwellings in local authorities across the UK, on an annual basis.

Time-series data on starts and completions of new build dwellings in English regions on a quarterly basis (now produced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as Table 217).

Market Size statistics on the Residential Building Construction industry in the UK

The UK residential building construction industry, valued at approximately £185.55 million in 2025, is projected to experience moderate growth, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.26% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several factors. Increased urbanization and population growth in key cities like London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool are driving demand for new housing, particularly within the villas and landed houses, and condominiums and apartments segments. Government initiatives aimed at addressing housing shortages and improving infrastructure also contribute positively. However, the market faces constraints including fluctuating material costs, skilled labor shortages, and potential economic downturns which could impact investment and consumer confidence. The industry is highly competitive, with major players such as Willmott Dixon Holdings, Mace, Skanska UK, and Balfour Beatty vying for market share. These companies leverage expertise in project management, sustainable construction practices, and innovative technologies to remain competitive. The geographical distribution of projects varies, with London and other major cities expected to dominate, but regional growth will be influenced by local economic conditions and availability of land. The industry's future trajectory will depend on addressing these challenges effectively while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by population growth and government support. The construction sector's performance is closely tied to broader economic health. Interest rate fluctuations and changes in mortgage availability directly influence consumer purchasing power, impacting housing demand. Environmental regulations and a growing emphasis on sustainable building practices are reshaping the industry, promoting the adoption of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs. This trend aligns with broader societal concerns regarding climate change and resource management, impacting material sourcing and project specifications. Competition is likely to intensify as established firms consolidate and new entrants emerge, particularly those specializing in sustainable and technological innovations. Strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions will play a significant role in shaping the competitive landscape, leading to increased efficiency and potentially improved capacity to manage the industry's challenges and capitalize on its growth opportunities. Recent developments include: December 2022: 375 low-carbon rental homes are delivered as part of a historic restoration project for Bristol City Center through public-private partnerships., December 2022: As the One Sydney Harbour residential building from Lendlease celebrates a critical milestone of "topping out" of Residences One, marking the completion of the highest structural point of the 72-story tower, it has secured more than $3.7 billion in sales over its three towers.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Growth in Commercial Activities and Increased Competition4.; Increasing Demand for Affordable Housing Units. Potential restraints include: 4., Lack of Housing Spaces and Mortgage Regulation can Create Challenges. Notable trends are: Government mandates pertaining to Energy Efficiency.

Repair and maintenance of private homes was the segment of residential construction with the highest annual growth rate in 2023. Meanwhile, new private and public housing construction increased by over five percent that year.

Housing Starts in the United Kingdom decreased to 28180 units in the first quarter of 2025 from 31030 units in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Housing Starts - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Graph and download economic data for Work Started: Construction: Dwellings and Residential Buildings: Total for United Kingdom (WSCNDW01GBQ470S) from Q1 1990 to Q2 2023 about housing starts, United Kingdom, buildings, residential, construction, and housing.

UK Residential Construction Market size was valued at USD 30.00 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 60.00 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9% from 2026-2032.

UK Residential Construction Market: Definition/ Overview

Residential construction refers to the process of building homes, apartments, and other dwellings for individuals or families. It involves various stages such as planning, design, site preparation, and the actual construction of the structure. The application of residential construction is essential in meeting the growing demand for housing due to population growth, urbanization, and economic development.

In the future, the industry is expected to embrace new technologies like sustainable building materials, smart home systems, and modular construction to create more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly homes, making it a key player in addressing housing challenges.

This data set gives annual figures for the number of house building starts per 1000 households.

The number of new housing starts per capita in Northern Ireland fell slightly in the financial year 2023/24. That year, there were 3.1 housing units started for every 1,000 citizens of Northern Ireland. The supply of new homes reached its peak in 2009/10, when 4.5 housing units were started for every 1,000 inhabitants.