How to make money from property - without owning a home

3. Cashing in on bricks and mortar

In the last housing market crash skilled bricklayers left the industry in their droves as construction projects ground to a halt and wages plummeted, with many retraining to become plumbers.

Last year 121,000 homes were completed with 133,000 predicted to spring up this year - according to the Brick Development Association (BDA).

Still some way off the pre-recession heights of 2007, when 177,000 homes were built a year, and with a housing supply crisis raging in the UK, skilled brickies, joiners, stone-fixers and plasterers are in great demand.

The need for construction workers has risen by 125pc since 2008 and 74pc over the past 12 months.

Since many construction projects are time-sensitive and have strict deadlines the urgent recruitment of workers has pushed wages up.

Currently, the best bricklayers in the UK can earn about £100,000, a spokeswoman for the BDA said.

4. Pipe manufacturers do a storming trade

Polypipe, the UK's largest pipe manufacturer has reported bumper profits.

On Monday, the company, which floated in April, announced profits before tax of £15.4m for the half, up 66pc on this time last year.

Polypipes makes pipes for drainage and sewage systems and has benefitted from the increase in renovations and home improvements as people make repairs before selling or after buying.

The desire to have the latest "mod cons" are drives business with piping for underfloor heating sales warming up.

Last week's visit from Bertha, and the UK winter storms, have increased sales for Polypipe, which also specialises in storm management systems, aka very big pipes leading to very big tanks.

Two thirds of the company's residential business - 'repairs, maintenance and improvements' - is directly linked to housing market transactions and remortgaging, both of which have been on the increase over the past year.

5. Renovation firms extend profits

BTL Property, with a walk-in showroom in Chelsea, is cashing in on the latest London trend to go subterranean.

With space rapidly running out for more loft conversions and side return extensions, the capital is building downwards. But the ambitious homeowner needs deep pockets.

The renovations firm, which was founded in 2007, turned over £750,000 with 15 staff in its first year - which co-incided with the housing market crash.

It is now forecasting revenues of up to £8m, with a 150 workforce, this year.

Basement digs vary in budget from £300,000 to £450,000 (a Wandsworth extension pictured below).

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