Retrofit revolution requires competent builders, warns FMB

The UK is in need of a retrofit revolution, but it is essential that householders feel confident in the people carrying out upgrades to their homes if the UK is to deliver the scale of rollout of needed.

That is according to research carried out on behalf of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), by Professor Alice Owen, University of Leeds, and Professor Gavin Killip, Nottingham Trent University.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented: “What this research clearly shows is that SME builders across the country stand ready to deliver the retrofit revolution the UK desperately needs. However, presently there is limited demand from consumers to actually carry out the work on their homes.

“The key to boosting this will be putting a robust regulatory system in place to guarantee the competence of builders, setting minimum standards to ensure high-quality work that people can trust. This is an issue which has been ignored by successive governments for far too long.

“The first King’s Speech folloiwing the election is taking place this week, and there is an opportunity to generate real momentum in the retrofit sector, which must not be wasted.”

Prof. Alice Owen, Director of the Sustainability Research Institute, Leeds University said: “This research brings to light the opinions of small, local building firms who are often forgotten in the discussions of how we reduce home energy bills. It will be this group that end up doing the work of upgrading – retrofitting - millions of the nation’s homes, so their opinions matter.

“It appears there is work to do to ensure that the nation’s local builders are able to retrofit homes, not least in getting clear guidance from Government on a robust set of standards to support the rollout.

“However, the builders themselves seem ready and willing to take up the challenge; they need help in creating the real market demand that will lead to action.”

Prof. Gavin Killip, Professor of Buildings & Energy Policy at Nottingham Trent University said: “The findings of this research are a valuable guide for how government and business must move forward with plans for retrofitting the UK’s homes. Clearly if we are to meet climate targets, consumer incentives to instil confidence to upgrade homes will be a necessity and this in turn will create a much-needed market for the builders delivering it.

“There is huge potential for businesses growth, with the added benefits of improved standards, local job creation, warmer homes, reduced bills and ultimately lower emissions and healthier people - there just needs to be an ambitious plan to make it a reality.”