Évosz noted that spending on energy accounts for around one-quarter of the building material industry's input costs, although the rate is higher for producers of cement, tile, bricks, and some insulation, despite investments in up-to-date, energy-saving production technology.
General contractors, who get 48% of the building materials they use from imports, are exposed to the HUF/EUR exchange rate, Évosz said.
It added that even a "slight" weakening of the forint could result in a "significant" increase in prices in the construction sector.
The association said that efforts to retain skilled workers and engineers are expected to raise construction n industry companies' costs further. It also highlighted issues on the demand side as state and local councils have postponed a "significant volume" of investments and households have "reached the limit" of their ability to finance energy-savings renovations.
Évosz said local and foreign investors who have counted on state subsidies till now would appreciate "other state cooperation," too.
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