Rising costs, building REP, aid for energy renovation... the 26 proposals from building craftsmen to the government

CAPEB recalls, if necessary, that we are in an economic context which raises fears of a significant drop in activity in the building industry by the end of the second half of 2022. So yes, the building craftsmen defend , they too, the need to implement an ambitious energy and ecological transition in the sector, and in particular in the field of the renovation of existing buildings (reduction of energy expenditure, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization). But the CAPEB recalls that this revolution must not be made to the detriment of its social aspect, in particular employment, nor to the detriment of the economic activity of companies. And it is in this context that CAPEB's proposals to the Government fit.

They therefore aim to strengthen business activity in a threatening economic context (rising costs of materials and equipment, rising energy costs, supply difficulties, etc.), to boost energy renovation work by giving principals, and in particular individuals, the means to finance them, and, finally, to allow the ecological transition of the sector within the framework of a proactive but realistic timetable.

Given the importance of the issues, CAPEB's proposals concern almost only the renovation sector and have been deliberately limited in number.

The CAPEB remains more than ever alongside the craft building companies, invested and determined.

Fighting rising costs and inflation

Price increase: CAPEB calls for real transparency

Ensure real transparency on price increases practiced by manufacturers and traders, in connection with the COVID crisis, the war in Ukraine and the decarbonization of industrial processes.

REP Bâtiment (extended producer responsibility in the building sector)

CAPEB asks for a realistic implementation schedule

Postpone the implementation of the BUILDING REP to January 1, 2024 to avoid adding inflation (at least 1,5% from 2023 and 6% eventually) to inflation, but also to allow sufficient time companies to include the amount of eco-contributions in their quotes.

This provision, painless for public finances, is also made necessary because of the delay in the implementation of EPR (approval of eco-organizations, determination of eco-contributions, traceability, etc.).

New construction

CAPEB calls for the indexation of ceilings

Index, for all existing schemes, the resource ceilings to real inflation.

MyPrimeRénov '

CAPEB asks to boost energy renovation works

Index MaPrimeRénov aid to the inflation observed in the building sector in order to avoid an increase in the remainder payable by households.

CEE (Energy Saving Certificates)

CAPEB asks to index the CEE premiums

Indexing the CEE bonuses within the framework of the helping hand, as well as the ceilings of resources on the inflation observed by type of work in order to avoid an increase in the remainder payable by households.

Pass'Reno

CAPEB requests the establishment of aid of €300 for low-income households

Set up a Pass'Réno of approximately €300, temporarily (6 months) in order to cushion the impact of inflation, for very low-income households (a couple's income of less than €22.320, approximately 3 million of households) and for thermal sieves, giving priority to emergency work and repair-maintenance-repair work.

This provision would be complementary to the current energy voucher, in the amount of €150 (distributed to nearly 5,8 million households).

This Pass'Réno would cost around 700 million euros, but more targeted on energy performance work (and not on energy costs) and the most precarious.

This measure would make it possible to cushion the rise in costs (5 to 10% on average on estimates in the first quarter of 2022) for individuals and to maintain the activity of construction companies by not breaking the current dynamic.

Boost aid for energy renovation and simplify systems

MyPrimeRénov '

CAPEB requests the reduction of the remainder to be paid

Reduce by half the remaining charge for low-income and very low-income households to accelerate the energy renovation of the housing stock with the granting of a bonus in the event of carrying out multi-step work (eg: 1 heating action + 1 insulation action) or comprehensive renovation.

This measure will generate increased savings in terms of energy expenditure and decrease energy demand. It will promote activity and employment in the construction sector in 2023, a period which will be more difficult for the sector if no support measures are taken.

The direct cost of this measure could amount to around 480 million euros over one year, possibly renewable depending on the results observed in terms of the number of energy renovations.

CEE (Energy Saving Certificates)

CAPEB asks for a valuation of the system

Revitalize the CEE market by increasing the level of obligations of those obliged.

Stabilize the CEE system over the duration of the fifth period by avoiding successive “stop and go” operations, in particular with regard to “boosting” operations.

Implement the OSCAR program as quickly as possible, and in particular its SIMPLIFICATIONS and PRO GUIDANCE sections, by strengthening it, if necessary, according to the first results observed in the field.

Financing a free energy audit from the first action taken by an individual in order to develop an energy renovation work program for the dwelling/house in order to achieve a desirable level of consumption performance.

Global renovations

CAPEB asks that their realization be facilitated for VSEs

In addition to the current VAT rate of 5,5% for energy renovation work, introduce a reduced rate VAT of 5,5% for all work carried out in a temporary consortium of companies (GME) made up of more than three trades, which will encourage local craft businesses to set up GME to carry out complete work and will make life easier for individuals by setting up a single point of contact on the site.

This measure is of low, even marginal cost for the State and will constitute a strong lever to accelerate the number of global renovations and allow a massification of the works carried not by a minority of major doers, but by the greatest number of VSEs. (i.e. 95% of building companies), experts in their trades.

EGR qualification

CAPEB asks to strengthen the credibility of the system and to simplify it

Require the presence of an RGE referent for every 10 employees within RGE-qualified companies.

Boosting the “worksite”* qualification system by mobilizing all the qualification organizations around specific objectives and by publicizing this system through large-scale communication and promotion actions

Set an inspection rate per RGE company according to the number of sites carried out by the company, the choice of sites to be inspected having to be made by the qualification body on the basis of all the sites carried out by the company ( really random choice).

Coordinate the controls carried out under the RGE qualification and under the CEE: choice of sites, control reference system, etc.

* New name for the “shot by shot” qualification

Giving craftsmen the means to exercise their profession serenely and efficiently

ZFE-m (low mobility emission zones)

CAPEB asks for a realistic implementation schedule

Adapt the ZFE-m implementation schedule to take into account the economic realities of local businesses and the supply of vehicles on the market.

Include representatives of professional organizations representing local businesses in the process of setting up m-ZFEs.

Create an ad hoc national m-EPZ governance body.

Authorize local derogations for the circulation of certain vehicles in ZFE-m, while ensuring their consistency at the national level.

Fleet of professional vehicles

CAPEB asks for financial support

Promote, through shock financial provisions, the transformation of the fleet of professional vehicles towards clean vehicles in order to reduce the weight of energy in the costs of companies, but also to contribute to the achievement of the objectives that France is set in terms of controlling energy consumption.

This measure could be supplemented by a packaged offer for businesses: aid for the acquisition of an electric vehicle including preferential financing covering the installation of an IRVE terminal and installation of photovoltaic panels to power the charging station, thus allowing operation in total self-consumption.

Fighting for more equity in the exercise of building trades

Unfair competition

CAPEB calls for rapid measures

Limit to two years, in the construction industry, the use of the micro-enterprise regime as a main activity.

Eliminate all legal mechanisms generating situations of social dumping, reinforce existing sanctions, in particular concerning the secondment of employees, and monitor the proper payment of social security contributions.

Control the exercise of hidden activities favored by networking platforms that facilitate the possibility of escaping tax and social obligations, and the exercise of activities without the professional qualifications required in the building industry.

Cascading outsourcing

CAPEB asks for its limitation

Limit cascading subcontracting, to rank 1, to contribute to the financial solidity of companies and the quality of the work carried out.