Of small building firms have been forced to pass growing materials prices on to clients, say the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The depreciating value of the pound after June 2016’s EU referendum means the cost of timber, insulation, bricks and other goods has increased considerably. “These spikes aren’t just a problem for builders – they’re also a setback for homeowners. The result is that a construction project will cost significantly more than it did this time last year,” says Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB.