Construction output returned to growth in February, said the Office for National Statistics today (11 April).

Monthly construction output grew by 0.4% in volume terms, with the  uplift powered by increasesin both new work (0.3%) and repair and maintenance (0.5%).

The more positive report follows a construction output fall of 0.3% in January.

Anecdotal evidence from survey returns noted the mixed effects of the weather; with rain and cold temperatures at the start of the month, followed by more settled, warmer weather towards the end of the month.

At the sector level, five out of the nine sectors grew in February - the main contributors to the monthly increase were public new work and public housing repair and maintenance, which grew by 4.4% and 4.0%, respectively.

However, construction output is estimated to have shown no growth (0.0%) in the three months to February 2025 as an increase in new work (1.2%) was offset by a fall in repair and maintenance of 1.5%.

Scott Motley, head of programme, project and cost management at AECOM, said: “A return to growth this month will be welcomed across the industry given the uncertain economic outlook that has persisted throughout the winter. 

“After the government reaffirmed its commitment to the sector and vowed to increase capital spending on key areas including housing and defence last month, contractors can be relatively positive about the long-term pipeline of work.

“But firms will no doubt be keeping a close eye on shifting markets and how that may impact demand and investment in the short-term.

“As such, the construction sector strikes a note of cautious optimism, as contractors continue to avoid overreaching themselves through taking on too much new work.”