MaPrimeRénov': the elimination of certain subsidies is causing a reaction from building professionals

After the Government's announcement to remove several MaPrimeRénov' grants from the "step-by-step" processReactions from building professionals are multiplying.

This reform comes at a time when energy-efficient renovation has become a key driver of activity for many businesses. After several years of slowdown in new construction, tradespeople, manufacturers, and distributors are relying heavily on this market to maintain their operations. It is in this context that the first reactions from the sector are multiplying.

A reform that comes at a delicate time for the sector

While the Government advocates for greater efficiency in public spending and a refocusing of aid on the most effective renovations, this development comes in an already fragile economic context for the building sector.

For several months, the decline in new construction has led many companies to focus more on the home renovation and energy efficiency improvement markets. For professionals, any changes to the MaPrimeRénov' scheme could have direct consequences on individuals' decisions and, in turn, on business activity.

Representative organizations fear that this new development will create a climate of wait-and-see at a time when the sector needs visibility.

CAPEB advocates for renovations carried out in stages

Among the first organizations to react was the Confederation of Crafts and Small Building Enterprises (CAPEB).

For the confederation, energy renovation is most often a gradual process. Many households do not have the financial means to immediately undertake a comprehensive renovation and choose to improve their homes in stages.

CAPEB believes that eliminating subsidies for certain types of work risks undermining this gradual approach and discouraging many projects. It also points out that these interventions represent a significant portion of the activity of craft businesses throughout France.

According to her, accelerating the energy transition should not lead to excluding households that can only move forward in successive phases.

The FFB calls for the stability of the system to be restored

The French Building Federation (FFB) shares the concerns expressed by companies, while placing greater emphasis on the need to stabilize public policies.

For several months, the federation has been emphasizing that the successive changes to MaPrimeRénov' make the scheme difficult to understand for both individuals and professionals. This instability complicates customer support, business organization, and investment planning.

For the French Building Federation (FFB), energy renovation is now a major lever for supporting the sector's activity. It believes that household confidence is essential to maintaining momentum in the renovation work.

Industry leaders fear repercussions across the entire sector.

The concern extends beyond the realm of construction companies alone.

Manufacturers of insulation materials, joinery, heating solutions, and more broadly, industrial companies involved in energy renovation, are closely monitoring developments in the MaPrimeRénov' scheme. A decrease in the number of projects could quickly translate into a drop in orders across the entire value chain.

The UFME (Union of Window and Door Manufacturers) has protested against the announced elimination of subsidies for single-step insulation work, particularly window replacement. The organization believes this change undermines one of the primary drivers of energy-efficient home renovations. It points out that 40% of homeowners begin their renovation journey by replacing windows, and that 71% of them subsequently undertake other work, making this initial intervention a true gateway to more ambitious renovations.

The UFME also points out that 30% of French homes are still equipped with single-glazed windows, even though replacing them would lead to significant energy efficiency gains while improving summer comfort in the face of increasingly frequent heat waves. It also warns of the economic consequences of this reform for a sector in which 90% of the windows sold are manufactured in France, and which relies on a network of thousands of SMEs and mid-sized companies spread across the country.

Like other representatives of the sector, the organization calls on the Government to preserve a renovation pathway accessible to all households and believes that the stability of support schemes remains essential to maintain the momentum of energy renovation.

Energy renovation specialists fear a loss of confidence among households

Operators specializing in supporting individuals also share the concerns expressed by the industry.

At helloAs a major player in energy renovation, the group believes that the successive changes to MaPrimeRénov' primarily contribute to a lack of clarity for households. The group particularly regrets the elimination of certain subsidies for thermal insulation, which it considers counterproductive to energy performance objectives, and believes that the repeated changes to the scheme undermine the confidence essential for launching projects.

More broadly, energy renovation specialists emphasize that the stability of public support programs is essential to assist individuals with projects that often represent a significant investment. They fear that further changes to the regulations will only perpetuate inaction and further slow the pace of renovations.

Beyond aid, the industry is demanding visibility.

Over the years, MaPrimeRénov' has undergone numerous changes: modification of eligibility criteria, adjustment of scales, refocusing of schemes or even temporary suspension of certain counters.

Beyond the measures announced this week, representatives of the building sector believe that the stability of the system is now the main challenge. They all share the objective of improving the energy performance of France's building stock, but they emphasize that an effective public policy must also be transparent, predictable, and sufficiently sustainable to allow households and businesses to plan their projects.

Discussions between the Government and professional organizations are expected to continue in the coming weeks. The industry hopes that these discussions will make it possible to reconcile controlling public spending, environmental ambition, and maintaining the momentum of renovation that is essential to achieving climate goals.

The main thing to remember:

• From September onwards, several types of work will no longer be eligible for MaPrimeRénov' aid in the "by gesture" process.
• The Government wishes to focus funding on large-scale renovations
• Professional organizations fear a slowdown in construction projects and a loss of confidence among households.
• CAPEB and FFB are calling for greater stability to allow businesses to plan for the future.
• The UFME and industry representatives fear an impact on the entire energy renovation value chain
• Energy renovation operators regret the elimination of certain subsidies for thermal insulation, which they consider counterproductive.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.