What Trends are we seeing in the Construction Sector? 

We recently sat down with Adam, our Sales Director, and Fran, our Head of Business Strategy, to get their thoughts on what is happening in the construction sector right now.

Between them, they have a wealth of knowledge about what is going on at ground level, from plant hire demand to business finance conversations. It makes for a really interesting read, particularly if you are working in the industry and wondering whether others are experiencing the same thing.

If you would rather watch than read, you can find the full video here. Otherwise, here is a summary of what they had to say.

Has the economy had an effect on the industry?

Adam did not mince his words on this one. His answer started with a single word: massively.

Labour pledged at the start of their term to build 1.5 million homes, and that target is not going to be hit. The knock-on effect of that filters down through the whole industry. Larger businesses are having to scale down and compete for medium-sized work, which puts real pressure on smaller companies and subcontractors who are already operating in a tighter market. 

On top of that, there are simply not as many large infrastructure projects in the pipeline as there should be.

What changes has this had on plant hire trends?

Specifically at Rockthorn, Adam has noticed a clear shift in the type of work coming through. Two or three years ago, longer-term hires were much more common. Now the demand has moved towards shorter, quicker jobs.

That is not necessarily a bad thing; there is still plenty of activity, but it does reflect a more cautious approach across the industry as businesses manage uncertainty around project pipelines and budgets.

Has the range of companies and equipment hired changed this year? 

This has been one of the more interesting shifts of 2026, according to Adam. Rockthorn is seeing a broader mix of clients than ever before; renewable energy companies, geotechnical firms, and archaeological contractors are all coming through the door, which speaks to the growing diversity of the sectors relying on specialist plant.

Alongside that, a good number of medium and small businesses have been in touch, and Rockthorn has also been fortunate enough to bring in some larger businesses too. All things considered, Adam’s verdict on 2026 is that it has not been too bad at all.

Have you seen a similar shift for asset finance?

Fran picked up this question, and the picture she painted is an encouraging one. There have been a significant number of quotes going out for excavators this year, and in some cases clients have needed the equipment for longer than a short-term hire. In those situations, Rockthorn has been offering long-term hire quotes and asset finance options to give clients the full picture.

One highlight has been handling enquiries for 45-tonne excavators, which are serious, sizeable kits. This signals there are still large projects out there for the right businesses. It has been a busy period on the finance side.

Do you just do asset finance for plant hire?

This is a question Fran is keen to address, because the answer is no, not by a long shot.

Plant hire is often where the conversation starts, but asset finance at Rockthorn covers far more than machinery. Rockthorn can finance cars, vans and commercial vehicles, which can be a real door-opener for growing businesses. There have also been conversations with renewable companies looking to finance solar panels and other specialist equipment.

What Fran enjoys most about these conversations is the longer-term thinking they involve. Understanding a business’s goals and plans for the future opens up a much more useful discussion. Whether that is about releasing cash flow now, planning ahead for four years’ time, or simply knowing that Rockthorn is at the end of the phone whenever a quote is needed. If a short-term hire turns out to be the right answer, that is an option too.

Want to chat to the team?

This is just part one of our conversation with Adam and Fran, so keep an eye out for the next installment. It is sure to be filled with more industry insights from these experts. 

In the meantime, if you would like to talk to either of them about plant hire or asset finance, give the team a call on 0330 118 5030 or fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you.