It’s no longer a party time for building craftsmen. The year 2022 was marked by a sharp and continuous rise in the cost of building materials (+27% between January 2022 and January 2023), energy prices, as well as supply difficulties. These factors have “plunged craft businesses into a situation of unprecedented uncertainty”explained the Confederation of crafts and small building companies (Capeb), during a press briefing in Niort.
The sector experienced dynamic growth at +2.4% last year “but which has continued to slow down during the year”.
Rise in business failures
“Companies reporting cash flow needs are more and more numerous, in this case 22% at the national levelexplains Aurélie Villain, vice-president of Capeb Deux-Sèvres and head of a roofing masonry company in Ardin. This is partly due to rising material costs. Many business leaders have been slow to pass on inflation to their quotes, reducing their margins accordingly. »
Even today, the Capeb ensures that the craftsmen of the building have not fully compensated for these price increases. “If we pass on these increases, customers cannot follow”explains Sylvain Mulard, the president of Capeb Deux-Sèvres.
As a result, business failures are exploding: + 42.3% in the third quarter of 2022. “And we also deplore a 20% drop in order books, which average 193 days today”adds Aurélie Villain.
Administrative red tape
In addition to these temporary difficulties, there are structural obstacles. “We are fed up with the red tape, especially for Energy Savings Certificates and MaPrimeRénov”, insists Sylvain Mulard. MaPrimeRénov is a state scheme that funds insulation, heating, ventilation or energy audit work.
But while energy renovation should be a locomotive in the construction sector “on the ground, craft businesses are caught up in the inertia of the public authorities”laments Sylvain Mulard.
“The delays in obtaining MaPrimeRénov are endless, continues the one who is also at the head of a heating plumbing company. This accentuates business failures because customers need this premium to pay their bills. And we are sometimes forced to refuse sites because the files take too long. » A shame when the energy renovation of buildings has been set up as a priority by the government.
