Contractor says housing turnover rose 11% despite β€œuncertain” economic outlook

Galliford Try has reported a surge in home completions in the second half of 2011.

The housebuilder and contractor said housing sales increased 11% to Β£359m for the six months to 31 December 2011.

In this morning’s trading statement it said home completions grew 28% to 851 units.

The order book for construction work remained at Β£1.75bn, the same as a year ago.

The firm said that 62% of its housing landbank was now secured at current market values, compared to 36% in 2009.

Chief executive Greg Fitzgerald said: β€œWhile the economic outlook is still uncertain, the board continues to be encouraged by the progress being made in housebuilding and by the resilience of the group’s construction business.”

β€œWhile remaining cautious in the short term, the group is confident in its strategy for delivering the objectives of its expansion plan.”