We still need a lot of patience to renovate the living room or bathroom or to install a heat pump. According to a visit by NU.nl, the waiting times vary from a few weeks to a few months. This is due to shortages of supplies, pressure to be more sustainable and a lack of skilled workers.
Many entrepreneurs are happy that there is now so much work, they know that at the Dutch Entrepreneurs Federation (AFNL). However, this does not mean that all requests are processed and executed quickly.
“There are several reasons why we have to wait a long time for the renovations. There is a shortage of wood and iron. Materials usually come from abroad, sometimes they don’t. “There is also a shortage of professionals on time and then,” explains an AFNL spokesperson.
The staff shortage is partly caused by the aging population. Also, the training flow is limited; very few professionals are trained.
The government is also trying to make homes more sustainable, for example by insulating them, purchasing solar panels or installing a heat pump. “Many consumers are now working on it, which means that entrepreneurs hardly get the job done.”
Plumbers, mechanics and plumbers are also currently short of supplies. Industry organization Techniek Nederland explains that there are supply problems in pipes and cables, ceramics for the sanitary industry, central heating boilers, ventilation systems, solar panels and hybrid heat pumps.
A spokesperson said: “Consumers should expect longer lead times. These may differ per product and installer. “Delivery times of weeks to months are not uncommon,” he says.
“Great demand for hybrid heat pumps”
According to Techniek Nederland, there are several causes of material shortages. “Rising gas prices and uncertainty about the Russian gas supply are leading to a high demand for, among other things, hybrid heat pumps and solar panels. Homeowners understand that increasing sustainability and saving energy is more profitable than ever. This is a positive development. , but that has increased waiting times.”
Suppliers of hybrid heat pumps and inverters for solar installations, among others, have been struggling with a worldwide shortage of chips for some time. This is the result of ongoing shortages of microchips and raw materials and increased global demand. New lockdowns in China are contributing to this.
“Supply chains are also still suffering from the consequences of the corona pandemic. The war in Ukraine is now causing additional logistical problems and reduced availability of raw materials.
Problems arise in the construction chain
Problems affect the entire construction chain. For example, plasterers or tilers, who are often the last part of a renovation, sometimes have to postpone a few weeks because their colleagues have had delivery problems in recent weeks.
The Association of Contractors for Finishing Companies points out that this puts pressure on planning. A spokesperson said: “And then you might think: my bathroom isn’t that big to renovate? But if one of the technicians doesn’t buy supplies, the rest will stagnate,” he says.
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
