But while strong growth is expected for 2014, there are also further signs of shortages of skills and materials.
The RICS said that construction workloads balance reached +38 in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is the highest score since it began measuring in 1994. The score for the third quarter of 2013 was +31. Geographically, workloads increased in all regions for the second consecutive quarter.
RICS members expect workloads to rise by 5.2%, the biggest margin since construction firms were first polled in 1998.
However, RICS found that 36% of surveyors reckon that labour shortages are constraining further industry growth. Skills shortages are now spreading across the country and across trades. Bricklayers are particularly in demand because of growth in the house-building sector.
When it comes to materials, bricks and concrete blocks are in shortest supply.
RICS director of built environment Alan Muse said, “With the economy having turned a corner in recent months, it would seem that the construction industry has followed suit and activity is up right across the country.
“More homes are being built, infrastructure is being upgraded and each part of the UK is benefiting from this more positive picture.
“However, with recent estimates stating that over 230,000 new homes need to be built just to keep up with population growth, further initiatives from the government will be necessary to get close to this target.”
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