Welsh Government’s £210m self-build scheme is a positive step forward, says FMB Cymru

Commenting on the introduction of Self-Build Wales, a Government-funded scheme that will help people build their own homes, Ifan Glyn, Director of FMB Cymru, said: “Significant growth in the custom and self-build market could help alleviate the housing crisis and will expand opportunities for small building firms across Wales. When you consider the housing crisis that exists, the custom and self-build market has been an under-utilised sector in the ongoing battle to meet the demand for homes. Research has shown that over half of adults in the UK would one day like to build their own home. Across the EU, approximately one third of all homes are custom or self-build whereas in Wales, it’s just five per cent. People want to custom or self-build their home but the right conditions haven’t been in place to allow them to do so.”

Glyn concluded: “The house building market is today dominated by a small number of very large companies. Back in 1988, 40 per cent of all new homes were built by small firms. Today, that figure is down to just 12 per cent. The type of firms that get involved in custom self-build projects tend to be small, therefore this can provide an opportunity for small contractors to re-engage with house building. Self-Build Wales could play an important role in creating new sources of supply, by encouraging new entrants into the house building sector and generally boosting the health and diversity of our industry.”

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