Specialist contractors experienced a 鈥渟harp decline鈥� in enquiries and orders in the second quarter of this year, according to the National Specialist Contractors Council

The council said its latest State of Trade survey showed a 鈥渃lear reflection of economic conditions鈥�. It said rising material prices were affecting margins, as were price reductions demanded by housebuilders. It added that late payments and retention abuse 鈥渃ontinued to plague鈥� specialists, with an average of 拢116,000 being withheld from respondents at any one time.

Despite market instability the council said 76% of specialists were working at more than 75% capacity and 49% of firms at more than 90%, and there was still a shortage of skilled workers in some sectors.

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