Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has reported a “steady” sales rate in the year to 26 April, despite a drop in its total order book, with higher energy costs and build-cost inflation on the horizon.
In its trading update, Taylor Wimpey reported a net private sales rate of 0.74 per outlet per week, down from 0.77 a year earlier. Excluding bulk sales, its net private sales rate was 0.72 per outlet per week, down from 0.76 in 2025.
As at 26 April, the group’s total order book value stood at £2.23bn, representing 7,689 homes, versus the previous year’s £2.34bn and 8,153 homes respectively. Overall pricing in the order book is 1% lower year on year, with prices most affected where affordability is more stretched in southern England.
Like Barratt Redrow and Berkeley Group, the group said it had been “highly selective” in its approach to land buying, having approved 1,000 plots, down from the previous year’s 1,700 plots.
It added that due to rising energy costs, build-cost inflation was “now expected to be low-to-mid single digit for 2026, with cost pressures and surcharges starting to come through from our supply chain”.
Chief executive Jennie Daly said: “Sales in the year to date have been steady and our teams continue to work extremely hard to support customers through their homebuying journeys against ongoing affordability challenges and an increasingly uncertain macro backdrop.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality homes and driving our assets and continue to see good progress on planning and outlet openings while maintaining strict operational discipline. With highly experienced teams, a high-quality land bank and a healthy balance sheet, we remain focused on delivering growth over the medium term and value for all our stakeholders.”
The group said it was “making good progress” on its share buyback programme, having purchased 39 million shares, equating to £34.9m of the planned £52m that it hopes to complete in the first half of the year. It launched the programme after its full-year 2025 profits plunged 54.3%.
Taylor Wimpey will hold its annual general meeting today (28 April).
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