A member survey by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) showed that only 27% of small to medium-sized (SME) construction firms are planning to get involved in the Green Deal.
The Green Deal is the government’s flagship home energy improvement initiative that provides funding for insulation, boiler improvements and other energy-saving upgrades.
Many FMB members complained that the application and accreditation process was overly complicated, while householders were unaware of the potential benefits because of a lack of positive publicity about the scheme.
FMB chief executive Brian Berry suggested that more builders would get involved if it was easier for them. “Trusted local trades are ready and willing to help homeowners fit energy-saving measures such as double-glazing and insulation,” he said. “However, many have expressed frustration that it is not easy for smaller firms to get involved in Green Deal work, and that there hasn’t been a marketing campaign to explain to householders what the Green Deal is all about.”
He said that “without more support, training and publicity the government risks this policy becoming a damp squib.”
Mr Berry continued: “People want to use their local builder to have energy-efficient improvement work carried out, because they know them and have used them before. But the scheme has been designed so large numbers of small firms are excluded because of the significant costs involved in offering Green Deal finance directly to homeowners. Instead local firms will have to find a large finance provider to work with, rather than getting started on work which would boost the economy and help home-owners save money on their fuel bills.”
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