The Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI index for April fell to 53.4 from the March figure of 56.4.
Anything above 50 represents growth.
But the latest numbers represent the second slow down on the spin following February’s eight-month high of 56.5 and are worse than the 55.5 predicted by City analysts.
Chief executive officer at the CIPS David Noble said: “Low activity levels in the housing market, tighter government purse strings, rising input prices in fuel and materials, as well as poor cash flow in some cases, are clearly a worry and confidence amongst UK constructors remains at a historically low level.”
The numbers are not as dire as official Government figures which showed construction falling by 4.7% during the first quarter.
Gemma Wallace, Economist at Markit and author of the UK Construction PMI said: “The Markit/CIPS Construction PMI suggests a less-dismal start to the year than official figures are indicating, but the sector is by no means a picture of health.”