A quick roundup of the trade news that affects anyone planning tiling or bathroom work this month. Here is what moved across UK construction in early June 2026, and what each item means for your project costs and timing.
Brick and block deliveries fall as material prices keep rising
The government’s latest building materials figures, published on 3 June 2026, show brick deliveries down 5.4 per cent and concrete block deliveries down 10.7 per cent in April compared with a year earlier, while the material price index for all work rose 3.2 per cent over the same period. Lower volumes with higher prices is an awkward mix: for a homeowner it means tile, adhesive and substrate costs are still drifting up, so it is worth getting firm written quotes before a job slips into the autumn. Read the GOV.UK commentary.
RICS survey: builders report a softer start to 2026
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported on 7 May 2026 that its headline construction workloads balance fell to minus 12 per cent, with private housing down at minus 19 per cent and only infrastructure showing growth. A quieter order book usually means established tilers and bathroom fitters have a little more availability, so this is a reasonable window to book a good trade rather than wait months for a slot. See the RICS construction monitor.
Skills shortage: the trade needs to grow to 2.75 million by 2029
The Construction Industry Training Board’s latest Workforce Outlook warns the UK construction workforce must reach around 2.75 million by 2029 to meet demand, with bricklaying, joinery and groundworks among the trades under most pressure. For homeowners the practical effect is simple: experienced tilers stay busy and day rates hold firm, so lock in your dates early and do not assume you can add work at short notice. Read the CITB outlook.
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