The total value of new contracts signed was 拢2,832.7m, a massive 42% down on April鈥檚 拢4,911.8m.
It was also 12% down on May 2013鈥檚 total of 拢3,235.4.
However, despite May鈥檚 apparent blip, the total value of new construction business for the past 12 months is still strongly up year-on-year. Builders鈥� Confidence records show that nearly 拢40bn 鈥� 拢39,179.4m 鈥� has been booked by construction contractors in the UK in the 12 months to 31 May 2014.
This is 54% higher than the rolling 12-month total this time last year, which was 拢25,487.4m.
鈥淎fter the highs of April, it was perhaps inevitable that the industry would need to catch its breath sooner or later,鈥� said Builders鈥� Conference CEO Neil Edwards
鈥淓ven so, a fall from almost 拢5 billion in April to 拢2.8bn just a month later speaks of more than just post-recessionary fragility. Furthermore, the 721 contract awards recorded by the BCLive league table during the merry, merry month of May were telling: They show that recovery remains resolutely focused in and around the nation鈥檚 capital; that housing is still the industry鈥檚 most brightly shining star; and that larger, signature projects are still as rare as hen鈥檚 teeth.鈥�
He added: Of course, the past month brought with it some additional pressures. First, the working month was shortened to near February-length by two bank holidays. And then, of course, came the local and European elections."
Topping the BCLive league table in May was Balfour Beatty, whose 拢244.7m of new business was more than double the 拢109.8m booked by second placed Morgan Sindall. Balfour鈥檚 booty was boosted by late in the month.
Also picking up more than 拢100m of new construction business during May were Miller ( 105.3m) and Kier (拢100.4m), in third and fourth place respectively.
BCLive league table for May 2014
Balfour Beatty is also on top of table that shows rolling totals for the past 12 months. Between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014 Balfour Beatty has booked 拢2,012.9m of new construction work.
Second in this table is Carillion with 拢1,583.6m, and third is Kier with 拢1,554.1m, although this latter figure excludes Kier鈥檚 share of Merseylink JV鈥檚 拢600m Mersey bridge contract. Morgan Sindall and BAM have also signed more than 拢1bn of new construction deals in the past year.
BCLive league table 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
