Good news for contractors: The budget boosts the Affordable Homes Programme, which could mean more housing projects needing your expertise. But keep in mind, while new developments might open up, you’ll also be dealing with increased staffing costs (looking at you, higher NI rates!).
Why It Matters
- Steady Pipeline: Affordable housing developments can bring stable, long-term contracts for smaller firms.
- Rising Costs: Balancing new project opportunities with higher overheads is crucial for maintaining profitability.
Action Steps
- Network with Local Authorities: They often award affordable housing projects, so keep an ear to the ground for upcoming tenders.
- Plan Your Workforce: Make sure you’ve got the team to handle extra workloads, factoring in the NI hike.
- Adjust Your Quotes: Align your bids with any additional labor and material costs you’ll face.
How Paperdrop Helps
- Job Costing Made Simple: Easily factor higher NI contributions into your estimates for new builds or refurb jobs.
- Scheduling & Resource Management: Ensure the right people are assigned to each site, even as workloads grow.
With affordable housing staying in the spotlight, well-prepared SMEs can turn funding boosts into meaningful—and profitable—work for their teams.
