The latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index recorded its sixth monthly rise on the trot last month.
The index jumped to 59.4 in October from 58.9 in September – where any figure above 50 signals growth.
Residential construction remained the strongest performing sector while civil engineering and commercial work recorded robust growth.
Job creation also accelerated at its fastest rate for six year.
David Noble, Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, said: “The future is looking bright for the UK construction industry as it soars into the final quarter with its strongest performance in over six years, boosted by a strengthening surge in activity broadening out across all sectors.
“Housing remains the key driver of the ever-strengthening rebound in October, but with civil engineering and commercial works continuing to bolster their expansion. Particularly impressive is the commercial sector, which registered the fastest rate of growth since April 2012.
“The on-going growth of new business levels, climbing confidence and positive market conditions has resulted in the steepest rise in staffing levels for six years.
“Caution on employment experienced in the first half of 2013 has now been replaced by rising expectations and a strong belief that growth can be sustained in the year to come.
“With demand picking up, delivery times are lengthening but there is optimism this will lead to a more bullish approach from suppliers, who up until now have been cautious on stock levels.
“They now have the platform to level out the continuing squeeze on stock availability and operating capacity.”
Tim Moore, Senior Economist at Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI, said: “UK construction output continues to rise like a phoenix from the ashes, with housing, commercial and civil engineering activity all seeing strong rates of expansion at the start of the fourth quarter.
“Official data showed that the construction sector lived up to the strong billing given by business survey evidence during the third quarter of 2013.
“Importantly, the latest Construction PMI survey signals that job hiring and input buying are now rising in tandem with greater new business inflows.
“Improved opportunities to tender and a broadening of the recovery beyond housing activity have helped foster confidence in the longer-term outlook for business conditions.
“Highlighting this, the latest survey indicated that more than four times as many construction firms expect a rise in output over the year ahead as those that anticipate a fall.”
For the latest construction jobs click here
