Gleeson managing director David Eyre said: "Things have obviously been quieter since the attacks. The week after there was a very serious drop in visits and reservations." He added that the fall in interest was more pronounced in the southern England.
Prowting agreed, saying there had been a 20% drop in interest. Both companies warned that it was unclear how pronounced the slowdown was or how long it would last.
Eyre said: "It appears that things may be picking up already, but the question is how long it takes to settle down and get back to normal. That will depend on the political situation."
He also said that house price inflation seemed likely to slow significantly over the next 12 months.
But Eyre maintained that the fundamentals remained strong for the housing market. He pointed to the lowest interest rates for 40 years and a shortage of supply as reasons for the market to bounce back.
Things appear to be picking up already, but the question is how long it takes to settle down
David Eyre, Gleeson
Gleeson's pre-tax profit for the year to 30 June surged 17%, from 拢16.1m to 拢18.9m. The group's turnover rose 21%, from 拢349.6m to 拢422.5m. Eyre said that the construction services market, which accounts for 70%
of the group's turnover, was still buoyant. Gleeson's order book was at record levels, with much of the work long-term.
Prowting's pre-tax profits improved 10%, from 拢11.9m to 拢13.1m for the six months to 31 August. Prowting's turnover increased 15%, from 拢102.5m to 拢117.9m.
Fellow housebuilder Bellway, which also posted results this week, said there been "no noticeable" change in reservation levels after the attacks.
It posted pre-tax profits of 拢101.5m for the year to 31 July, a 14% increase on the year before. Turnover rose 10%, from 拢634.3m to 拢695.7m.
