Sales of building materials in August 2017 were also 1.1% ahead of July 2017, helped by one extra trading day.
The BMF numbers outstrip the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, which show 3.5% growth in construction output in August 2017, compared to August 2016, and growth of 0.6% month-on-month.
The BMF figures are contained in the Builders Merchants Building Index, which tracks builders鈥� merchants鈥� sales. The index shows that sales volume over the past 12 months (September 2016 to August 2017) was 4.6% higher than the previous 12 months.
Year-to-date sales have also strengthened and are 4.5% ahead of the same period in 2016. Ironmongery (up 7.4% so far this year) and kitchens & bathrooms (up +7.0%) were the leading performers.
With kitchen and bathroom sales up 11.1% higher in August 2017 compared to August 2016, there is evidence that the domestic renovation market is on the rise.
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