A north Suffolk scaffolding and roofing business says the national upturn in construction activity is starting to filter through to smaller specialist contractors.

Lowestoft-based Apex Scaffolding, which was set up 1999, and sister company Apex Roofing, launched two years ago, have enjoyed an encouraging start to 2014, with an increase in the volume and value of contracts.

Jackie Biswell, who runs Apex Roofing, said: “The year has started really well for us, with a noticeable increase in enquiries coming in for planned refurbishment works.

“As the construction sector output grows there becomes more opportunities for specialist contractors like us, who tend to be small businesses. The signs are good so we’re extremely positive for the year ahead.

“Based on the start of the year and predicted sector growth figures we’re roughly estimating that our business will grow by 30% this year.”

The latest Construction Trade Survey shows that construction activity rose in the final quarter of 2013, marking the first time in more than five years that the industry recorded three consecutive quarters of growth.

Regional forecasts from surveying organisation Leading Edge are predicting that London and the East of England are the only two regions in the UK expected to be larger in output terms in 2015 than they were in 2005.

Jackie Biswell added: continued: “The construction sector is such a big driver for economic growth in this country that any increase in output is going to be positively felt right through the supply chain and it’s especially good news for the smaller specialist contractors looking to build some stability after a tough couple of years.”