The building industry says that proposals in the draft consultation for the 2010 version of Part L of the Building Regulations will make extensions and conservatories more expensive for the consumer and deal a blow to the industry as a time when it needs a boost.
Property owners who build extensions could be forced to spend thousands of pounds improving the energy efficiency of the rest of their property under the proposals. Industry commentators reckon the extra cost is likely to be 10%.
They also cover conservatories for the first time and that means higher carbon reduction targets which would impose electric heating restrictions as well as floor, wall and glass restrictions to make the conservatory more energy efficient.
Brian Berry, external affairs director of the Federation of Master Builders, said it was likely to reduce demand at the worst point of the economic cycle. 'Right now the industry needs a kickstart, not a kicking,' he said
According to Stephen Giles, managing directory of Conservatory Quote Online.com, property owners will be expected to pay thousands of pounds extra for their conservatories which will impact heavily on the conservatory supply and installation industry.
'Most conservatory buyers at present secure some form of finance for these types of home extensions. Also the fact that we are in a recession and most people have already had to tighten their budgets the only logical conclusion is that by adding further cost the conservatory market will suffer putting a strain on suppliers and the building industry,' he said.
