Paul Candon of Homevalue shares his thoughts on sustainability and more.
How do you anticipate the home and construction markets will evolve over the next decade? What key trends are driving this sector?
Several key trends are currently driving the housing sector. One major trend is the backlog in housing demand, with a shortfall of approximately 95,000 units. Since 2006, the population has increased by 21%, while housing growth has only been 15%, leading to this significant deficit. To meet the ongoing population growth, we will need to build at least 47,000 additional homes per year until 2030.
There is also a growing interest among consumers to upgrade their homes, focusing on energy efficiency, aesthetics, and additional space. Moreover, there's an increasing appetite for rejuvenating empty homes, as evidenced by the 8,500 applications for related grants. Between 2024 and 2025, rejuvenated empty homes are expected to be the largest source of additional new homes across 11 counties. Financially, there is substantial potential in this sector, with around €150 billion sitting in low-interest deposit accounts that could be mobilised for growth.
However, the sector faces significant constraints. There is a notable shortage of trades professionals, which impacts the ability to meet construction demands. Additionally, many incentives, such as grants for energy upgrades and above-shop premises, are not attractive enough to encourage widespread uptake. The shortage of planners in government and local authorities further complicates the issue.
The increasing costs of building materials and labour also pose challenges, leading to higher overall building costs. Consequently, builders are hesitant to construct three-bedroom semis in 19 out of 26 counties, as the prices would be beyond the mortgage range of most buyers. This has resulted in a rise in apartment developments, which accounted for 36% of new builds in 2023, a trend not particularly favourable for merchants. Additionally, the shortage of staff and rising labour costs are negatively impacting merchants within the sector.
How does Homevalue ensure it remains competitive in a changing home and construction markets, and what strategies are in place to maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty?
At Homevalue, we take pride in being a trusted partner for all home improvement needs. For decades, we have been serving local communities, providing the tools, expertise and friendly service to help tackle any project, big or small. As active members of our communities, we have an ear to the ground and are able to support local by being local.
By joining United Hardware, members benefit from the competitive deals available from suppliers and its range of market-leading support services aimed at growing a business. The group's marketing programmes focus on boosting sales while building stronger relationships with suppliers and trade customers.
A recent survey of professionals focused on plumbing and heating merchants found that almost half of plumbers and installers surveyed (49%) preferred purchasing products from independent merchants rather than large stores. This emphasises the critical role of smaller stores and their unique ability to respond to customers' needs with personalised and trustworthy solutions. Grounded in trust and local experience, customer loyalty is critical to maintaining relationships with professionals who prefer independent merchants in Ireland.
As active community members, Homevalue stores share an ethos of sourcing locally and working with local suppliers to develop mutually beneficial relationships and solutions. We work with local supply chains to ensure that we can get products to our customers more efficiently, which improves our relationship with them and reduces transportation costs. Building sustainable relationships with local suppliers has helped to keep some of our businesses and communities running for as long as they have, with some stores active for over 150 years within their respective communities. As members of Guaranteed Irish, we pride ourselves in being able to highlight the Big G throughout our store to let customers know that when they buy from us, they are supporting a local business and, with that, a local company that provides local employment.
How does Homevalue educate its customers on the benefits of sustainable living?
Homevalue provides ongoing education, training, and up-skilling to our staff on product ranges and benefits, to ensure that they can always give the best advice to customers and make informed sustainable decisions.
Working within our communities, we support all other businesses in their drive to be more sustainable and provide sustainable products for others to use, as well as friendly advice to businesses and customers on making more sustainable solutions at home or work.
As members of the Irish Green Building Council, we work together with the IGBC to identify and support opportunities to build a more sustainable environment, highlighting our commitment to climate action and greener building.
What sustainable products and solutions does Homevalue offer? How do these products benefit the environment and society, and how can they be utilised in self-build or retrofit projects?
Homevalue offers a variety of sustainable products and solutions designed to benefit the environment and society. These include eco-friendly insulation options like recycled cellulose and sheep's wool, which provide excellent thermal performance and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Several members also stock our External Wall Insulation system, Thermo10 which can help homeowners reduce energy loss significantly, they also supply sustainable building materials such as low-VOC paints and FSC-certified wood, minimising environmental impact during construction.
Some stores offer solar panels and accessories, enabling homeowners to generate renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, they offer heat pumps , energy efficient heating control systems and A rated highly efficient gas and oil boilers.
In the garden sector, Homevalue offers organic compost and plant food to improve soil health and reduce chemical fertilizer use. Water conservation is supported through efficient irrigation systems and low-flow fixtures, beneficial for garden and landscaping projects.
Homevalue’s products significantly contribute to energy conservation, waste reduction, water conservation, and healthier living environments. They help lower energy bills, reduce carbon footprints, minimise waste, and promote a circular economy.
As members of the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), we continuously try to find ways to enhance our commitment to climate action to build a greener Ireland. As a supplier to over 160 member stores nationwide, we have a role to play in ensuring that we find new ways to promote more sustainable building practices and supply more sustainable building products.
Further, we must play our part in supporting the transformation of the Irish building, construction, and property sector into a global leader in quality and sustainability. Our commitment to greener building practices involves actively identifying and advocating for sustainable solutions that address the challenges and opportunities in the construction and renovation of Irish homes and businesses.
This partnership aligns with United Hardware's and Homevalue stores' mission to support the IGBC in creating a more sustainable built environment. Together, they aim to transform the Irish building, construction, and property sector into a global leader renowned for its quality and sustainability.
What measures has Homevalue implemented to reduce waste and minimise its carbon footprint within its operations?
Some of our stores have been operating within their communities for over 130 years and have played an invaluable role in protecting and preserving local communities. Store recycling programmes are present throughout our footprint, while stores also offer recycling solutions, including the electrical goods drop-off points, so they may be disposed of appropriately.
We are conscious neighbours within our communities supporting all other businesses in their drive to be more sustainable and to provide both sustainable products for others to use and friendly advice to businesses and customers on how they can make more sustainable solutions at home or at work.
Could you explain why United Hardware/Homevalue decided to become a member of Guaranteed Irish? How does this membership align with the company's values and goals, and what advantages does United Hardware see in being part of the Guaranteed Irish House initiative?
At United Hardware, our "Irishness" is as important to us as our customers. We are active in communities throughout Ireland, and as Ireland's leading indigenous and family-owned home, garden, DIY, and builders merchant, it is fitting that United Hardware proudly wears the badge of Guaranteed Irish.
Guaranteed Irish is the original symbol of provenance in business in Ireland and aligns with our role in Irish communities to provide quality jobs, support local communities, and our commitment to Irish provenance. Our Guaranteed Irish status underpins our commitment to these communities in which we operate, ensuring our values extend to the areas where we add value.
At United Hardware, our sense of responsibility to the community is what Irishness is all about, and it is a true testament to our heritage and our determination to prevail. These unique values brought on by community spirit should be celebrated and championed as part of the fabric of being Irish, and we at United Hardware are determined to play our part.
Customers can shop online and, in our stores, nationwide, knowing that they are not only supporting their local business but also a local business that provides local employment.
For more information about Homevalue, visit their website Homevalue.ie
