The latest total value sales figures from Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) show that builders’ merchants’ like-for-like value sales for Q4 2025, adjusted to remove the impact of trading days, were -1.2% lower than Q4 2024. Like-for-like volume sales were down -2.9%.
With no difference in trading days, unadjusted Q4 total value sales were also down -1.2% year-on-year. Volume sales fell -2.9% while prices rose +1.8%. Seven categories sold more by value with Miscellaneous (+6.4%) ahead of the rest. Timber & Joinery Products (+1.8%) performed better than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials (-3.9%) was weakest.
Quarter-on-quarter
Like-for-like sales for Q4 2025 were -9.0% lower than Q3 2025, with like-for-like volume down -13.1%. With four less trading days in Q4, total unadjusted quarter-on-quarter value sales were -14.6% lower, with volume down -18.5% and prices up +4.8%. Only Workwear & Safetywear (+6.0%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+4.7) sold more. Heavy Building Materials was down -16.2%.
December sales Year-on-Year
December 2025 like-for-like sales were -2.5% lower than December 2024. Like-for-like volume sales decreased -5.8%. With one additional trading day in December 2025, unadjusted total value sales were up +3.3% year-on-year. But volume sales were -0.3% lower and prices up +3.6%. By value, ten categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+16.7%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+9.8%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+9.8%), the standout categories. Heavy Building Materials (-0.5%) sold less.
December sales, Month-on-Month
December’s like-for-like value sales were -18.2% down compared to November, with volume sales down -20.6%. With two less trading days in December, unadjusted total value sales were down -26.3%. Volume sales were down -28.5% and prices were up +3.1%. All categories sold less by value, but Services (-13.8%) fell by less than other categories. The two largest categories, Timber & Joinery Products and Heavy Building Materials, fell by -26.1% and -28.3% respectively.
Year-to-date
Total value sales for January to December 2025 were +0.9% up on 2024. Like-for-like volume sales increased +1.9%. With one less trading day in 2025, total unadjusted sales were +0.5% higher; volumes were up +1.5% while prices eased -1.0%. By value, nine categories sold more, led by Renewables & Water Saving (+5.7%).
Derrick McFarland, Managing Director for Keystone Lintels and BMBI’s Expert for Steel Lintels, comments…
“Compared with the same period last year, Q4 performance was broadly stable, pointing to a market that is holding its position rather than gaining momentum. Enquiry levels indicate there is still work in the pipeline, but order values remain modest and decision-making cautious. Housebuilders continue to grapple with affordability pressures, planning delays and cost uncertainty, all of which constrained output through the latter part of the year.
“The economic backdrop has done little to improve sentiment. The late Budget offered limited support or incentives for construction. Ongoing volatility in the steel market has added further pressure, influencing procurement behaviour and reinforcing a defensive approach to buying. As a result, the outlook for early 2026 remains uncertain, with the first quarter, and potentially into Q2, likely to feel unsettled as confidence slowly rebuilds.
“However, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The economy is beginning to stabilise, with easing inflation and improving borrowing conditions starting to support household confidence. While this is unlikely to translate into a rapid uplift in activity, greater stability should help underpin demand over time.
“Regulation remains a key consideration. Although the Future Homes Standard has been delayed, its direction is unchanged. Increased focus on building fabric and reducing heat loss is already influencing specification decisions. Practical, fabric-first solutions provide a straightforward, low-cost way for housebuilders to improve thermal performance while preparing for future requirements.”
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