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The construction market continued to grow during April, even though activity dipped slightly from March's 21-month peak.
Markit/CIPS' UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) registered 55.8 in April, down slightly on the 56.7 seen in March, but still well above the 50.0 no-growth marker.
Employment grew for the second month running as the industry felt the thrust of commercial projects.
However, although input price inflation eased in April to its lowest for just over two years, fuelled by higher energy prices, average cost burdens still rose for the 27th consecutive month.
Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said the industry was showing a pleasing level of resilience.
"The upturn in businesses' expectations on a year-ahead horizon represents something of an antidote to the news that the construction sector double-dipped in Q1," he said.
The PMI, which is based on monthly replies to questionnaires given by purchasing executives in over 170 construction companies, has now not fallen below 50 since January 2011.
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