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If you’re targeting construction work in Cardiff, understanding where real demand is happening gives you a major commercial advantage. Using Buildscout, we analysed all planning applications submitted within a 5-mile radius of Cardiff in the last 90 days. The data highlights five types of construction leads currently driving construction activity in the area. Here’s what we can see in our platform:
1. Extensions
Extensions are comfortably the highest-volume lead type in Cardiff, with close to 100 planning submissions in just three months. Projects range from porch demolitions and replacements to single-storey side extensions, rear extensions, and larger two-storey additions.
What this tells us:
Homeowners in Cardiff are choosing to improve rather than move. With property prices and moving costs remaining high, extending existing homes is clearly the preferred investment. For contractors, this means a steady, repeatable pipeline of residential building work with faster decision cycles than larger developments.
2. Roofing
Roofing is the second most active category in the area. Applications include full roof covering replacements, hip-to-gable extensions, rear dormers, loft conversions, and rooflight additions.
What this tells us:
There’s strong overlap between roofing and wider home improvement projects. Many of these leads involve structural upgrades rather than simple repairs, suggesting larger job values and opportunities to upsell related works such as insulation, loft conversions, and extensions.
3. Listed Buildings
Listed building projects rank third and represent a more specialist segment of the market. Recent submissions include re-slating works, structural reconstruction of extensions, and commercial change-of-use applications involving internal alterations.
What this tells us:
Cardiff has a consistent flow of heritage and regulated property work. These projects are often higher value, require experienced contractors, and typically face less competition due to the specialist nature of the work.
4. New Builds
New build developments remain in the top 5 across the 5-mile radius of Cardiff. Projects range from change-of-use applications converting storage buildings into residential flats, to demolition of existing bungalows and replacement dwellings, and construction of new detached homes. At the larger end of the scale, we’re also seeing major phased schemes progressing through planning, including approval of reserved matters for a 196-dwelling residential development.
What this tells us:
Cardiff’s new build pipeline spans everything from single-plot projects to substantial multi-unit developments. That breadth creates opportunity across the entire supply chain. Whether you’re targeting one-off custom builds or positioning for larger, phased residential schemes with longer-term contract value.
5. Windows and Doors
Rounding out the top five are windows and doors projects. These include Juliet balconies, dormer alterations, annex adjustments, and commercial serving windows.
What this tells us:
This category reflects both residential upgrades and light commercial modifications. While typically smaller in scope individually, these projects can generate quick-turnaround work and ongoing repeat business.
The Big Picture
Across all five categories, one thing is clear: Cardiff’s construction market is active, diverse, and heavily driven by residential improvement. More importantly, these aren’t speculative enquiries. They are planning-submitted projects from the last 90 days. That means intent is high and timelines are shorter.
If you want to proactively target homeowners and developers who have already submitted planning in and around Cardiff, or across the rest of Wales, and position yourself in front of high-intent projects before competitors even know they exist, click below top book a demo.
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