By Ryan Malee – CEO Create Property Group

Introduction

The UK construction and property sector continues to operate in a changing economic landscape. With the Spring Statement 2026, the government has outlined its latest direction on growth, investment, and public spending, all of which directly impact builders, developers, and clients alike.

For homeowners and investors, the question is simple:
What does this mean for my project?

At Create, understanding these changes is essential, because informed decisions lead to stronger outcomes & we can pass this onto our clients

A Mixed Outlook for the Construction Industry

According to industry insights, including commentary from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the Spring Statement presents a balanced but cautious outlook.

Look. There are some positive signals, its not all doom and gloom:

Continued focus on infrastructure and housing delivery, this isn’t going away & let’s face it, we need it

Long-term investment ambitions, I hear this & it’s great, but I personally want to know more details from the Government on this & specifically, how it will affect the UK and selfishly, my investment areas.

Ongoing support for development and regeneration. This, I have yet to see personally within Create Property Group, but let’s remain positive here,

This is to mention a few but as we know, there are also ongoing pressures:

Material costs remain unpredictable & quite frankly, impossible to hold down fixed price works with fluctuating prices.

Labour shortages continue across skilled trades. I have heard conflicting information about this, however, I remain this is true, I speak heavily with DN College Group, who can also confirm the shortage of apprenticeships here in the UK. Just because we have great tradespeople on the ground today, it doesn’t mean we are set for the future. 

Financing conditions still require careful planning

For builders, this means one thing:
Precision and planning matter more than ever.

What This Means for Our Clients

Whether you’re planning a new build, extension, or development project, the wider economic environment directly affects:

-Build costs

-Project timelines

-Availability of skilled labour

-Overall project risk

The key takeaway is not to delay, but to plan properly.

Projects that succeed in this market are not the cheapest.
They are the most structured.

Why Preparation Is Now Critical

The biggest risk in construction today isn’t starting, it’s starting without clarity.

Successful projects in 2026 are built on:

-Detailed specifications

-Accurate cost forecasting

-Clear timelines and contingencies

-Strong project management frameworks

This aligns closely with what we see daily, clients who invest time in pre-construction planning achieve better results, fewer delays, and stronger cost control.

The Role of a Reliable Build Partner

In a stable market, many builders can deliver.

In a changing market, only structured and experienced teams consistently perform, especially with added uncertainty

At Create, our approach focuses on:

-Transparent pricing

-Clear communication

-Defined processes from pre-construction to completion

-Risk identification before work begins

This isn’t about overcomplicating projects, it’s about removing uncertainty & creating transparency as much as possible

Opportunity Still Exists

Despite challenges, the UK construction sector remains full of opportunity with big demand for:

-Quality housing

-Energy-efficient upgrades

-Property development continues to grow nut not like it used to, be very wary of these fake “Get Rick Quick” Schemes.

For those who plan effectively and partner with the right team, this market still offers strong long-term value.

The Bigger Picture

The Spring Statement doesn’t change everything overnight, but it reinforces an important shift.

The industry is moving towards:

-Greater accountability

-More structured delivery

-Higher expectations from clients

It doesn’t matter which way you look at it, this is a positive direction. It rewards professionalism, It rewards preparation and rewards those who do things properly. If you are one of these people, please follow me on my socials. I love to see good honest people giving it a go.

So, My Conclusion:

The message from the Spring Statement 2026 is clear:

The construction industry is evolving, and success will favour those who adapt.

For clients, that means working with builders who:

-Understand the wider market

-Plan thoroughly

-Communicate clearly

-Deliver consistently

At Create, that’s exactly what we aim to provide.

Are You Thinking About Your Next Project?

If you’re considering a build, development, or renovation in 2026, now is the time to approach it with clarity and structure.

Get in touch with Create, to discuss your project and explore how we can support you from concept to completion.

Ryan Malee
Create Property Group

Ready to Build Smarter? Contact Us Today!e

By Katie Smith – Head of Marketing

Top 5 Digital Marketing Mistakes Tradespeople Make (And How to Fix Them)

If you’re a tradesperson in 2026 and you’re still saying:

“I don’t need social media.”
“My work speaks for itself.”
“Word of mouth is enough.”

Then I need to be honest with you.

You’re at risk.

I’ve worked with trades across construction, plumbing, electrical, joinery, roofing and more and the gap between those growing and those struggling isn’t skill.

It’s visibility.

Our CEO Ryan often tells us “I have a face for Radio not TV” but even Ryan understands the importance of having a personal brand.

Here are the Top 5 Digital Marketing Mistakes Tradespeople Make and how to fix them.

1. Hiding Behind the Work Instead of Showing the Work

You might be brilliant on the tools.

But if nobody sees it, nobody knows.

Too many trades:

• Post one photo every few months

• Never show their face

• Never explain what they’re doing

• Only post finished jobs

What clients actually want to see:

• Progress shots

• Problem solving

• Before & after

• You explaining what’s happening

• Your personality (This is my TOP TIP to you)

People buy from people.

The trades who used to say “I don’t want to go on camera” are now the ones winning the jobs, because clients trust who they can see.

Fix it:
Start filming 30–60 second clips on-site explaining what you’re doing. No polish needed. Just real.

2. Having No Clear Brand or Identity

A logo from 2008.
A random Facebook banner.
Different colours everywhere.
No consistent message.

That’s not a brand.

That’s noise.

Even small trade businesses need:

• A clear name

• Consistent colours

• A recognisable tone

• A simple message

If you want to charge premium rates, your brand needs to look premium.

Fix it:
Standardise your visuals and your message. You don’t need a £10k rebrand, just clarity and consistency.

3. No Google Presence (This Is Huge)

This is the biggest mistake I see.

Trades rely entirely on:

• Referrals

• Facebook groups

• Word of mouth

Meanwhile, your potential customer is typing:

“Builder in Doncaster”
“Electrician near me”
“Roofer South Yorkshire”

And you don’t appear.

If you don’t have:

• A Google Business Profile

• Reviews

• Updated photos

• A simple website

You’re invisible to high-intent buyers.

Fix it:
Optimise your Google Business Profile. Ask every happy client for a review. Upload weekly job photos.

It’s free. And it works.

4. Posting Content That Doesn’t Educate

Most trade content is:

• “Another job done.”

• “Happy customer.”

• “Before & after.”

That’s fine.

But the content that builds authority explains things.

Examples:

• “Why your extension quote varies so much.”

• “3 things to check before hiring a plumber.”

• “Why this roof failed.”

• “What this crack actually means.”

When you educate, you:

• Build trust

• Position yourself as expert

• Attract better clients

• Filter out time-wasters

Fix it:
Once a week, post one piece of content that teaches something.

Simple. Powerful.

5. Treating Marketing as Optional

This is the mindset shift.

Tradespeople invest in:

• Tools

• Vans

• Training

• Equipment

But see marketing as an expense.

It’s not.

Marketing is oxygen.

If you are not promoting your business in 2026, do not be surprised if your business struggles in 2027.

The market is changing.

Clients research first.
They compare.
They check reviews.
They look at Instagram.
They watch videos.

The best trades now:

• Film weekly

• Post consistently

• Collect testimonials

• Show personality

• Build a personal brand

And they are booked months in advance.

The Harsh Truth

You can be the best tradesperson in your area…

But if someone slightly less skilled is more visible, more trustworthy online, and easier to find…

They’ll win the job.

That’s reality.

Final Thought

Digital marketing isn’t about becoming an influencer.

It’s about becoming visible.

If you’re a tradesperson reading this, ask yourself:

• When did I last post something useful?

• Do I appear on Google?

• Would I hire me based on my online presence?

If the answer makes you uncomfortable, good.

That’s where growth starts
katie Smith – Head of Marketing
Create Property Group

Ready to Build Smarter? Contact Us Today!

By Ryan Malee – CEO Create Property Group

Here’s the Real Story from Inside the Construction Industry

Are Builders Misled by Keir Starmer’s AI Planning Claims?

I’ve been in the construction and property sector for nearly 2 decades, and I’ve never seen industry frustration this high not because we don’t want to build, but because what’s being promised in political messaging hasn’t matched what we see on the ground.

Recently, I spoke on the Property Developer Podcast about the excitement I’ve had, not just on stage but in boardrooms and sites, hearing Government targets, plans for AI to revolutionise planning, and huge ambitions to get Britain building. But after speaking with planning officers and professionals working inside local authorities, it became clear something important was lost in translation.

Yes, the Government has publicly committed to using artificial intelligence (AI) to “transform the planning system” and accelerate decision-making as part of its housing agenda. In June 2025, the UK Government launched an AI planning tool called Extract, saying it would help speed up planning permissions and support housebuilding targets.

But here’s the nuance most national headlines missed…

AI in Planning, Not What It Sounds Like

When the Government and Prime Minister highlighted AI for planning, many in the construction world understood it as “AI will shorten planning times and decision lead times across the board.”

What planners explained to me, and what experience on live projects confirms, is different.

The AI being introduced today is primarily focused on digitising old, paper-based planning data:
turning historical maps, handwritten documents and legacy records into digital data that councils can process more quickly. That’s a valuable upgrade, but it’s not the same as AI automatically approving planning applications, removing red tape, or fundamentally ripping out delays from the system. (THE REAL ISSUE)

In short, the AI currently being touted isn’t actively speeding up every planning decision, it’s freeing up officer time by converting old files so they can be worked with using modern systems. That often still leaves councils with the same resource constraints when it comes to making decisions.

Some headlines made it sound like councils would suddenly go from waiting 10–20 weeks for a decision, to weeks or days. That simply hasn’t materialised in practice yet.

This is where many of us in construction feel that builders were misled by Keir Starmer’s AI planning narrative not out of malice, but because the nuance wasn’t fully communicated.

The Difference Between Optimism and Delivery

Political announcements are powerful; they shape market confidence and expectations. When the promise of AI in planning is interpreted as “speed up everything,” investors, developers and builders genuinely believe that:

• planning applications will be processed faster

• lead times will shorten

• costs will stabilise

• project risk will reduce

But when you talk to planning officers or study what the technology actually does, the reality becomes clearer:

• AI helps digitise historical data

• Councils can read files faster

• Long-term tech integration is a priority

• But decisions still require resource, scrutiny and compliance

So while AI tools like Extract are an important step for modernisation, they are a piece of infrastructure, not an instant fix to a deeply complex regulatory process.

What I Heard From Planners Themselves

After the podcast aired, I spoke directly with planning teams in multiple authorities. Their consistent feedback was:

• “The tools help, but they don’t remove workload.”

• “We still need people to interpret, consult, validate and enforce.”

• “AI gives us time back, but doesn’t replace resource shortages.”

• “Decision bottlenecks are about staffing more than digitising old files.”

This feedback illustrates a reality the industry needs to acknowledge:

AI in planning is a tool, not a miracle.

And when political communication overstates the impact of that tool, it creates expectations that can’t be met in the real world.

That’s why the sentiment that builders feel misled by Keir Starmer’s AI planning messaging exists, because words in headlines weren’t clearly matched with the operational reality inside planning departments.

How Construction Can Still Move Forward

Misleading narratives aren’t helpful, but neither are resignation or frustration.

Instead, here’s what builders, investors and developers need to focus on:

1. Understand Planning Tech for What It Is

AI will modernise data and improve workflows over time, but don’t count on it to instantly fix decision delays.

2. Invest in Relationships with Councils

Personal engagement with planning teams gives you insight no press release ever can.

3. Factor Real Lead Times Into Your Cashflow

Expect planning delay risk until resource constraints are resolved, because tech alone won’t remove that.

4. Advocate for Workforce Investment

More planners and support staff = faster decisions. That’s the real bottleneck.

5. Hold Messaging to Delivery Outcomes

As an industry, we should welcome progress narratives, but also demand clarity on what the tech actually delivers.

Watch the Real Conversation

I talk through this live in my clip from the podcast, watch it here:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNR5fqvYR/

Because this isn’t just industry chatter, this is about confidence in the system, delivery of homes, and future investment decisions.

Final Thought: Confidence Comes From Clarity

Builders, developers and investors want one thing: certainty.

We want a planning system that respects resources, embraces useful tools, and delivers outcomes.

We do not want headlines that sound better than the reality.

If AI planning tools eventually speed up decisions, integrate seamlessly with council software, and genuinely cut lead times, that will be an enormous win for the sector. Today, those tools are a foundation, not the finished structure.

And until policy storytelling aligns with operational reality, the industry will rightly ask tough questions, including whether builders were misled by Keir Starmer’s AI planning narrative.

Ryan Malee
Create Property Group

Ready to Build Smarter? Contact Us Today!