BMBI publishes August 2026 report

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in October, shows August’s total like-for-like value sales  were up +0.5% compared to August 2025. 

With no difference in trading days, August’s unadjusted value sales were also +0.5% higher than the same month a year before. Unadjusted volumes were down -5.4% and prices up by +6.2%.

In the year to date, like-for-like value sales were -1.6% lower compared to the first eight months of 2025, but like-for-like volume sales were down -7.2% and prices were up +6.0%.

With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also down -1.6%, as volumes fell -7.2% and prices increased +6.0%. By unadjusted value, half the categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear (+9.5%) growing the most. Timber & Joinery Products (+0.3%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials (-3.9%) was again the weakest category.

Mike Rigby, managing director of MRA Research, which produces the BMBI report, says: “It’s tough out there, as BMBI and the latest ONS construction data confirm. Construction output has fallen for four consecutive months, down -0.2% in August. The ONS has revised its July output figure of +0.1% up to -0.5% down as more data became available. Private housebuilding’s output has dropped -3.2% over the past three months, and down -1.9% in August, is depressing total construction output.

“Fortunately, the public is more positive and resilient. The GfK Consumer Confidence Index showed a 1-point increase to -13 in September, marking a third month of consecutive improvement for the first time since 2024. A lot is riding on the Autumn budget, which will determine whether consumers and businesses feel better or worse off under the new Prime Minister. Good or bad, the ripples will be felt throughout construction.”