In a survey of 200 SME firms, the FMB researched attitudes towards retrofitting within the UK construction industry. The data revealed that, overall, builders are confident about meeting market demand for retrofitting should it increase.

The majority, 42.5%, replied they were fairly confident with 25.5% claiming to be very confident — respondents highlighted this confidence stems from them continuing to develop skills of their existing workforce as well as hiring more people in total.

However, the FMB warned that “confidence is not the same as competence” and there is a “considerable performance gap” between builders’ confidence to retrofit and their ability to execute.

For this reason, the research has called for routine evaluation of energy performance post-work completion to better inform feedback and help close this gap.

In addition, the FMB wants these assessments to be underpinned by an “accepted suite of standards, developed by experts and backed by government."

The research also highlighted other barriers to retrofitting in the UK.

High costs were the most frequently-cited barrier, both of technology and labour, which according to the FMB has hampered retrofit progress, with a lack of consumer demand also revealed.

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Less than one third of respondents, 29.5%, reported their clients had often asked about retrofitting with 40% never - or rarely - asking about this.

For this reason, the FMB is calling on the government to introduce more funding and policy support that specifically tackles these concerns.

“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,” said Brian Berry, CEO at the FMB.

“This is an issue which has been ignored by successive governments for far too long. The first King’s Speech following 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.”

One of the report’s authors - Professor Gavin Killip, professor of buildings and energy policy at Nottingham Trent University - also argued for the need for consumer incentives to grow demand.
He added: “There is huge potential for business 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.”