Timber and joinery products down sharply in latest BMBI report

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in July, shows May 2026’s total like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the effect of trading days) were essentially flat, -0.1% lower than May 2025. But like-for-like volume sales were down -5.8% year-on-year.

With one less trading day in May 2026, year-on-year unadjusted value sales were -5.1% lower.

Volumes were down -10.5% while prices increased +6.1%. By value, only two of the twelve categories sold more: Workwear and Safetywear (+7.5%) and Services (+3.3%).

Of the 10 categories selling less, Timber and Joinery was down -4.7%, and Heavy Building Materials fell-6.4%.

In the three months March to May 2026, like-for-like value sales were -1.6% lower than the same three months in 2025.

Like-for-like volume sales were down -5.9% but prices increased +4.5%. With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also -1.6% lower, with volumes down -5.9% and prices up +4.5%.

Of the two largest categories, Timber and Joinery Products (+0.2%) did better than Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials (-3.3%) was the weakest category.

In the 12 months from June 2025 to May 2026, like-for-like value sales were down -1.2% compared to the previous 12-month period (June 2024 to May 2025).

With no difference in trading days, unadjusted value sales were also -1.2% lower, while volumes declined -3.2% and prices edged up +2.1%.

By value, seven categories sold more, with Renewables and Water Saving (+10.4%) out in front.

Of the two largest categories, Timber and Joinery Products grew +1.4% while Heavy Building Materials fell -3.4%.

In the year to date (January to May 2026), like-for-like value sales were -2.1% lower than the first five months of 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -6.8% and prices were up +5.0%.

With one less trading day in the most recent year, unadjusted value sales were down -3.1%.

Volumes fell -7.7% and prices increased +5.0%. Timber and Joinery Products (-0.2%) declined less than Total Builders Merchants, but Heavy Building Materials was down -5.6%, and the weakest category.

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