Private housing and commercial projects are the main drivers of growth behind the boom reported in Q3 by members of the RICS.

Overall 46% more surveyors reported a rise in activity during the quarter – up from a net balance of 41% in August – which marks the eighth consecutive quarterly rise in workloads.

The survey uses net balances – the proportion of people giving a positive response minus the per cent of those giving a negative one.

In the private commercial sector workloads reached a series high, with a net balance of 59% more surveyors reporting an increase in activity.

Workloads in infrastructure saw more balanced growth, with 27% more surveyors seeing activity levels rise.

The main factors limiting building activity were found to be a shortage of labour, followed by access to finance and a shortage of materials (both a net balance of 58%).

Demand for bricklayers increased strongly on the previous quarter, with 71% of respondents now saying that this is an issue (compared to 59% in Q2 2014).

Surveyors are also confident about prospects for next year with 47% expecting to see profits increase and 58% more respondents expect to take on more people in response to the rising workloads.

The report said: “UK workload sentiment is now standing at its highest level in two decades.”

The RICS added: “Government must now ensure it builds on these foundations of confidence with the mechanisms to get house building and infrastructure projects out of the pipeline and into the ground.

“We recommend a national infrastructure delivery plan and enforced local planning to make this happen.”

To download a free copy of the full report click here