Guide to becoming a small housing developer
Free FMB guide to help builders become small housing developers. Learn how to find land, finance, plan, build and sell new homes.
Our campaign
Forty years ago, SME house builders delivered 40% of our homes. Today, this figure is around 10%. Hit hard by successive recessions, our small and custom build members tell us that they struggle to access finance and land, and have difficulty navigating our complex planning system. Our campaign to remove the barriers they face has involved building excellent relationships both with the Government and Opposition, and building joint campaigns in industry to speak for the value and contribution of our SMEs. As we adjust to the impacts of the coronavirus, we know that investing in building new homes is a recognised way of supporting recovery in the wider economy.
We want to see:
- A simplified planning system
- Make more small sites available for SME developers
- Investment in local authority planning departments to speed up the planning process
Our resources
FMB Small House Builders’ Survey 2025
Our annual survey reveals the major barriers to housing delivery in 2025, including the planning system, rising build costs, and access to land and finance.
Guide to development finance for small and medium-sized housebuilders
This guide is aimed at helping you better understand development finance, where it sits within the housebuilding process and what you need to do to secure finance.
Changes to Building Regulations in England
June 2022 brought in big changes for building regulations. Download our free guide to understand what's changed and how this will affect you.
Building Standards Division on changes to Section 6 energy standards
Scotland members recently benefited from a presentation and discussion with the Building Standards Division of the Scottish government about the changes to the Section 6 energy standards. These changes to the Building Regulations came into effect in Scotland on 1 February 2023.
Small is beautiful: Delivering more homes through small sites
In this report we look at barriers to developing small sites and make practical recommendations on how local authorities and SME builders can work together to overcome these.
Homes on our high streets
Recommendations to local and national government on how to unlock residential developments on our high streets.
Guide to development finance for small and medium-sized housebuilders
This guide is aimed at helping you better understand development finance, where it sits within the housebuilding process and what you need to do to secure finance.
FMB House Builders' Survey 2024
Our annual survey reveals the major barriers to housing delivery in 2024, including the planning system, buyer demand, and access to finance.
What the latest Small House Builders’ Survey tells us
Our annual Small House Builders’ Survey highlights the realities facing SME builders in England and makes clear why action is needed to support a more diverse and resilient housebuilding sector.
Headline findings include:
- 73% expect strong buyer demand
- 91% say it has become more expensive to build homes
- 47% cite the planning system as their biggest barrier
- 33% struggle to access suitable land
- 67% walk away from sites due to expected Section 106 or CIL costs
- 64% feel confident about planning outcomes, despite delays
- 69% plan to grow their workforce
The report shows a sector full of appetite and capability, but held back by planning delays, rising costs and limited land supply. With the right conditions, SME builders can help the country build better.
How we are representing your views
- Annual, well-established House Builders’ Survey, which communicates the views of SME house builders to the Government and media.
- Regular private meetings with the Housing Minister.
- Meeting with the Shadow Housing team, and regular meetings with cross-party MPs to convey your views.
- Leading a cross-industry working group reviewing the experience of SME house builders, and jointly writing to the Housing Minister regarding issues with nutrient neutrality and the challenge for small house builders.
- Regular meetings with senior civil servants in the Ministry of Housing and in Homes England.
- The FMB has joined the Housing Diversification action group, which seeks to lobby the Government to support greater diversification in the supply of new homes, including more homes being built by SMEs and in the self and custom build sector.
Key achievements
- A review into Right to Build legislation to make it easier for people looking to build their own homes.
- Response to the Planning White Paper and securing media coverage.
- Public consultation on policies to support SMEs through changes to the current planning system.
- Giving evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee.
- New pots of funding for SMEs to access affordable finance, for example Homes England and Invest & Fund's seven-year lending partnership to support small builders.
- Special policies to support SMEs, including the Home Building Fund.
- A requirement for local authorities to oversee a proportion of their housing delivery on small sites.
Latest updates on house building
Latest FMB news on house building
