Andrew Preston, director of Marketplace, Once For All, analyses the rise of residential and new build work in the UK, and how subcontractors can utilise data to stand out amongst their peers
It is easy to judge the construction market in short cycles, with quarterly figures and policy announcements shaping the narrative. Yet markets reveal their true direction over longer periods.
Once For All’s 2026 Construction Marketplace Health Index took a seven-year view of the construction landscape, analysing project data from 2018 to 2025 alongside a survey of 134 subcontractors. Over that period, five key themes have shaped the market.
A regional split
The construction market does not operate as a single national system. It functions as a series of regional economies with distinct levels of capital flow and competition.
Unsurprisingly, London has led consistently in both project value and volume. Over seven years, the region recorded 8,188 projects worth £134.6bn. It remains the country’s highest-density construction hub.
The West Midlands and the North West have also played a critical role. The West Midlands delivered 2,664 projects worth £42.1bn, while the North West recorded 3,512 projects valued at £39.3bn. Both regions rank in the top three for value and project count across the full period.
At the other end of the scale, Northern Ireland, Bedfordshire and North Wales recorded the lowest overall project values at £4.6bn, £3.9bn and £2bn respectively.
Since 2024, many regions, including the East Midlands, Essex, the North West, Scotland, and even London, have experienced declines in both total project value and project count. The slowdown is broad-based.
Opportunity has not disappeared, but it has become more uneven. Regional targeting now requires sharper prioritisation.
Capital concentrated on new builds
New build remains the dominant project type by both value and volume. Across the seven years, new build accounted for £364.2bn and 18,788 projects, representing 74% of total value and 48% of all projects tracked.
The more revealing shift lies in the average value. Between 2023 and 2025, the average new-build value increased by 16.8% to £30.5m. Fewer projects progressed, but those that did were larger and more capital-intensive.
By contrast, extension projects saw average value fall by 29.3% to £10.3m. Alteration and conversion declined by 0.7% to £5.7m.
Capital is clustering at the top of the market. The middle tier is tightening. Businesses operating in mid-value work face intensifying competition as more firms chase fewer opportunities. Larger schemes demand stronger compliance, financial resilience and supply chain alignment.
Core categories sustaining the market
Housing remains the financial backbone of construction. Since 2018, housing has contributed £177.3bn across 13,666 projects, accounting for 35.1% of awards on the Market Intelligence platform. Residential development continues to underpin activity across most regions.
Recent data shows where capital is intensifying. Over the past two financial years, energy projects saw average value rise by 80.4% to £197.2m. Factory and industrial projects increased by 88.9% to £25.5m. Air transport rose by 87.8% to £22.3m.
Across categories, volumes have declined, but values have risen. Investment focuses on fewer, larger schemes of strategic importance.
Visibility is the subcontractor’s biggest barrier
To understand how this environment feels in practice, we surveyed 134 subcontractors across the sector.
Despite total project value and count reaching their lowest levels in 2024 to 2025, 63% described themselves as optimistic or very optimistic about the year ahead. Only 10% expressed pessimism.
When asked about their biggest challenge in securing new work, 34% said getting noticed by the right contractors. By comparison, 19% said the work simply is not there.
Subcontractors believe opportunities exist. The barrier lies in visibility and connection within a more competitive marketplace.
Financial priorities reflect discipline. 23% prioritise revenue growth and 21% focus on maintaining or increasing profit margins. Only small minorities are pursuing expansion into new regions or sectors. Most are strengthening their core position rather than chasing higher-risk growth.
As project numbers fall and competition intensifies, the ability to stand out becomes commercially critical.
Digital tools are key to winning future work
Relationships remain central. 28% of subcontractors rely on direct relationships with contractors, and 26% rely on word of mouth and referrals. Together, traditional approaches account for 54% of responses.
However, sourcing is evolving. 25% have signed up to multiple tender platforms, and 37% expect their approach to accessing work to change. When asked how they are adapting, 28% cited using technology platforms to access opportunities and increase efficiency.
In a more selective market, digital visibility becomes essential infrastructure. Marketplace, from Once For All, combines invitations to tender and project intelligence with verified compliance and supply chain data, enabling contractors to source with confidence and subcontractors to present their capabilities. In a market where 34% identify visibility as their biggest barrier, structured access to opportunity helps reduce friction and improve alignment.
Looking ahead
The 2026 Construction Marketplace Health Index makes one point clear: while the pipeline has tightened, the industry’s appetite for growth remains strong.
High-value opportunities are concentrating on fewer, larger projects. Regional divergence is increasing. Housing continues to provide stability. Subcontractors remain optimistic, yet face growing pressure to improve visibility in a competitive market. In this environment, clarity and alignment across the supply chain matter more than ever.
We built Marketplace to support that shift. By bringing together project intelligence, invitations to tender and verified supplier data in one place, it helps businesses target the right work, reduce inefficiency and compete with confidence.
The lesson from seven years of evidence is straightforward. Those who act on data and strengthen visibility will be best positioned to secure sustainable growth in the years ahead.
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