craftsmen predict a failure of the new version of renovation aid in 2024

The new version of MaPrimeRénov’, the main support system for energy renovation, does not convince building tradesmen. The latter are already predicting a failure of this reformed program, with harmful consequences for their activity.

Energy renovation: craftsmen are already anticipating order books at half mast

Building professionals start the year 2024 with apprehension. The order book of members of the Confederation of Crafts and Small Building Companies (CAPEB) only represents the equivalent of 75 days of work in Januaryeither 21 days less than January 2023. This downward trend observed since the start of 2022 continues, prolonging the new housing crisis which has been weighing on the activity of artisans for months.

The outlook for the coming months remains gloomy, according to sector representatives themselves.

Renovation, a new hoped-for growth driver

In this gloomy context, small construction companies now rely on the home renovation market existing to maintain their activity. In 2023, this sector allowed them to partly offset the decline in new construction sites. While the latter fell by 4.5%, turnover linked to renovation work stabilized (+0.1%). The artisans hope that this positive tradition will continue and even expand in 2024.

MaPrimeRénov’ 2024: increasing budget but controversial new rules

This hope of craftsmen to see the renovation market boost their activity, however, comes up against the new rules of MaPrimeRénov’. For 2024, the budgetary envelope for this system has certainly was increased by 1.6 billion euros, at 6 billion euros. But the grant conditions have been tightened in order to promote overall renovations to the detriment of simple insulation work.

However, this orientation does not convince the craftsmen. The president of CAPEB Jean-Christophe Repon doubts that

• “households will have been able to consume the entire budget of 6 billion euros planned for MaPrimeRénov’”.

According to him, this new framework “does not encourage individuals to renovate their homes”.

The rest to be paid, a real problem for individuals

Several aspects of the new MaPrimeRénov’ system worry building professionals:

• Aid no longer covers simple insulation work.
• Changing the boiler is not helped if it is done independently of other renovation actions.
• The remainder remains too high for low-income households, reaching up to 7,000 or 8,000 euros.

Good that MaPrimeRénov’ finances up to 90% of the work for these homesthe residual amount remains dissuasive, estimates CAPEB.

Activity still down 2% in perspective for 2024

Consequence: small construction bosses anticipate a further contraction in their activity in 2024, of around 2%. According to them, proof of the inadequacy of the new MaPrimeRénov’ system to truly revive the energy renovation market.