i am in hard landscaping patios garden paths driveways water features decking etc etc-- there has been a definite downward trend in business in the last summer, we have had less offers of larger jobs above 20k than in previuos years the jobs that we have had we have to do them with a more economic viewpoint i.e using less luxurious materials such as natural stone and hardwoods and having to go for the cheaper options in the way of materials just to get the work- with the housing market slowing down i thought that people would spend money improving what they have instead of totally upgrading to newer/larger properties but this hasnt seemed to be the case -- people seem to be holding on to thier hard earned or simply paying back what credit they have enjoyed over the last few years- any way not been an easy year so far so not looking forward to winter
-- a lot of trades in the local building industry have also experienced the same