Sales of building materials rose by 0.9% year-on-year during the three months to October, according to the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).
October alone recorded a year-on-year increase of 1.8% with figures revealing that the 12-month period to October saw a year-on-year increase of 0.5%.
However, sales figures for August to October were down by 2% against the period May to July.
BMF’s figures also revealed regional differences, with firms in London, the south-east, Yorkshire and the West Midlands reporting increases and those in the south-west, north-west, Scotland and Wales seeing a slowdown in sales.
“After a period of increased sales throughout the country over the summer, the BMF’s latest figures indicate a degree of caution returning to the market,” said BMF secretary Peter Matthews.
“There are clearly regional differences, with some areas experiencing better trading conditions than the national average, whilst others have fared less well.”
Mr Matthews added that it would be “several months” before the impact of the December interest rate cut is known.
