New work and repair maintenance “grew by by 1.1% and 2.1%, respectively” during the course of the three months. 

Monthly construction output is estimated to have dropped by 0.8% in May 2026, but ONS reported it increased by 1.4% in March 2026.

On a sector sector level, seven out of the nine sectors grew in the three months to May 2026. The key contributor to the increase was non-housing repair and maintenance, which saw 3.0% growth. 

The drop in monthly output in May 2026 was purely down to a drop in repair and maintenance, which dropped by 2.1% - but new work grew by 0.2%. The key reason behind the monthly decrease in repair and maintenance was private housing repair and maintenance, which dropped by 5.0%.

Jo Streeten, managing director, Buildings & Places at AECOM, said: “Another rise in output is welcome news for the sector after a challenging start to the year. Firms will be hoping that two months of growth will convert into meaningful momentum.

“Our latest market forecast suggests the construction industry is increasingly becoming a two-speed market. Long-term infrastructure projects continue to provide resilience, even as higher financing costs and economic uncertainty continue to hold back many private developments.”

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “After a difficult start to the year, it is encouraging to see construction output increase for the third consecutive three-month period. 

“It is also reassuring to see growth recorded across the majority of construction sectors…

“While repair and maintenance activity increased over the three months to May, the monthly figures show that this momentum weakened towards the end of the period, with repair and maintenance output falling in May.”

Berry added: “The industry needs sustained confidence and a strong pipeline of projects if this recovery is to continue. 

“The Government must use this momentum to accelerate planning reform, improve access to finance for SME builders and provide long-term certainty on housing and infrastructure investment.”