Sector focus: Construction

BDO Business Wellbeing Index

Sentiment declines from October’s post-election high, with leaders less positive about the future

The economic impacts seen in different sectors across New Zealand are making their mark in construction too, driving negative wellbeing and creating business performance concerns for leaders in this space. Our March 2024 survey shows that while business leaders are currently feeling as positive about their business performance as they did in October 2023, their future view is less rosy than it was in our last survey wave. 

View journalist Paddy Gower's conversation with Martin Veitch, BDO Head of Advisory, plus insights from Michael Diver, Director of Peter Diver Plumbing & Drainage Limited. 

While sentiment in the construction sector is down from the highs we saw in the weeks immediately following the election, most measures have returned to levels similar to those in surveys prior. This suggests the October 2023 measure captured a moment of positivity for construction leaders, who may have been feeling enthusiastic about the Government’s pro-business approach and promises to cut red tape around building in New Zealand. However, change takes time, and construction leaders' static current business performance sentiment - and lower future business performance sentiment - shows leaders may still be waiting for conditions to improve. 

54% of construction leaders have felt positive about business performance all or most of the time in the past two weeks, which, while unchanged from October 2023, is down from what we saw in the post-COVID building boom of 2022. The residential sector may be feeling particularly hard hit, as home consents were down by 25% in 2023 compared to 2022. On a more positive note, our survey shows supply chains and labour supply are no longer a major concern for the sector, while leaders are feeling positive about meeting regulations and compliance and the performance of their systems and technology.

Looking ahead, just 57% of construction leaders expect to feel positive about business performance in six months’ time, down from 75% in October 2023. This result is the lowest we’ve seen since our first survey in May 2022 and reflects leaders’ concerns around economic factors and cashflow, which our survey shows are the measures construction leaders feel least positive about. 

Wellbeing remains steady but finances and economic impacts play their part

At 69 out of 100, construction leaders’ WHO-5 Index score - the World Health Organisation’s internationally recognised wellbeing measure – has decreased since October 2023, returning to levels seen prior to this post-election period. There is a similar trend when looking at future business performance sentiment. In our March 2024 survey, 71% of business leaders expect to feel satisfied with life all or most of the time in six months’ time, which has dropped from a record high of 93% in October and returned to similar levels to March 2023 and October 2022.

Our survey shows the main drivers of this negative wellbeing include business financial concerns, economic factors, and concerns around succession planning. As construction leaders continue to grapple with harsh economic conditions, it’s essential they have the right support to navigate any business performance and wellbeing challenges.

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Tips for construction leaders

  • When any business is facing difficulty, forward planning is key. Construction lead times are long so businesses should be prepared for when work drops off. With the right information and knowledge of what you can control in your business, you’re better equipped to navigate the uncontrollable. Know your break-even, be prudent with spending, and double down on your marketing and business development – you can only grow by getting more market share. 
  • Don’t go it alone. Reach out to your advisers and key stakeholders in your business, including your accountants and lawyers.
  • If you have capacity in your business during a downturn in work, use it wisely to work on your systems and processes so you can be more efficient and effective when the tide turns. 
  • Contact your suppliers early if you have issues, especially when it comes to payment.  Similarly, stay on top of your tax liabilities and communicate with the IRD immediately if you are having cashflow challenges and can't pay tax on time.


Further support:

Expert thoughts

“Inflation and interest rates are dampening demand in the construction sector, with concern around forward workload becoming an issue for leaders. We’re seeing some projects being delayed or cancelled, and high costs of building and high interest rates are threatening the financial viability of development opportunities. That said, it’s important not to lose hope. I believe with increasing migration, a potential flattening or reduction in some areas of materials pricing, and downward trending interest rates on our horizon, the appetite for construction spend will return."
Martin VeitchBDO Head of Advisory
“As a significant contributor to New Zealand’s economy, the construction sector plays a key role in the country’s business and employment sector. As such, it’s essential that our construction leaders are mindful of both their business performance and their wellbeing, taking appropriate steps to ensure a positive outlook for the future. It’s never too early – or too late – to reach out for support.”
Nick Innes-JonesBDO Construction Sector Leader
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