The plumbing market - France

The plumbing market has demonstrated resilience and growth post-2020, partly driven by the French government's renovation aid schemes and measures against illegal work. 

The market is dominated by small businesses, encountering competition from seconded and illegal workers. Regulations require service checks every six months and annual maintenance for boilers, emphasize the use of RGE professionals for tax credit eligibility, and mandate the SPI for entrepreneurs in plumbing. Quotation regulations stipulate inclusivity of several details for any work exceeding 150 euros.

The hardware trade, essential for plumbers, grew by 6.8% and showed moderate growth in subsequent years. Innovations in smarter and more efficient equipment are shaping the market, requiring plumbers to adapt to technological advancements. French households prioritize finding the right professionals for renovation projects, valuing experience and reliability alongside competitive pricing.

Analysis of the Current Plumbing Market Demand and Trends in France

The French plumbing market has experienced a post-containment resurgence, witnessing a robust recovery fueled by measures to combat illegal work and government incentives aimed at home heating renovation. Specializing in fluid circulation in new constructions and maintenance projects, plumbers play an integral role in the construction industry which is highly populated by small businesses.

One of the pivotal factors influencing plumbing demand is the housing construction market, especially the new housing production that made a significant comeback in 2021. There has been a notable increase in the issuance of building permits, which jumped by about 20% in 2021, and housing starts also saw a rise of approximately 10 to 15% in the same year. However, a future decline in demand is forecasted due to a downturn in housing starts, as projected by the French Building Federation (FFB). Maintenance-renovation represents another substantial demand segment for plumbers.

With homeowners prioritizing energy consumption, this presents a scope for plumbing businesses to tap into energy conservation initiatives. Interestingly, while insulation accounts for about half of the renovation works conducted, heating and window replacements follow closely. It is observed that the expenditures vary greatly, with budget allocations for kitchen/bath renovations ranking second, only behind investments in insulation and eco-friendly renovations. Homeowners, on average, spend significantly more on home improvements compared to tenants.

The do-it-yourself (DIY) movement presents both an opportunity and a challenge within the sector. While only about 15 to 20% of individuals undertake plumbing-related DIY projects, the market for DIY materials is substantial. Four major groups dominate 93% of the market, led by Adeo with a nearly 45% market share.

The sector's workforce is heavily comprised of very small enterprises (VSEs), which on average employ about three to four individuals per company. Geographically, almost 40% of plumbing companies are concentrated in the Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. Despite the robust market dynamics, competition from illegally posted or seconded workers poses a significant challenge, with the sector being particularly susceptible to fraudulent practices.

However, compliance is also a key factor in the market, with stringent rules in place for fire protection systems maintenance, boiler maintenance, and a compulsory adherence to RGE qualification for receiving tax credits for energy renovations. In terms of entrepreneurship, an individual looking to set up a plumbing business needs a CAP or BEP plumbing diploma and at least three years of professional experience.

Key Market Players in the Specialized Construction and Plumbing Sectors

The construction and plumbing sectors are comprised of a diverse array of players, from massive specialized construction conglomerates to small-scale plumbing enterprises catering to niche markets. This landscape showcases the varying scales and concentrations of expertise available to customers, ranging from all-encompassing services provided by major groups to the highly personalized offerings by smaller, focused firms.

• Dominant Forces in Specialized Construction
  
  
  • Leading the charge in the specialized construction arena are groups like Bouygues Construction and SPIE. These titans of industry exert considerable influence due to their extensive capabilities and comprehensive service offerings across various construction sub-fields, including substantial plumbing-related works.
    
    
  • Bouygues Construction stands out as not only a heavyweight in general construction but also a key influencer in the domain of plumbing through its projects that entail intricate pipefitting and installation works. The group's prowess in the sector is marked by an ability to handle large-scale developments, underlining its status as a full-service provider.
    
    
  • SPIE, another behemoth in the field, casts a wide net with its services, covering a spectrum from electrical engineering to HVAC solutions — a testament to its integrated approach to construction and maintenance.
    
    
  • Engie Axima, somewhat more specialized than its companions, carves its niche in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sectors, directly interfacing with plumbing through its work on fluid circulation and environmental comfort systems.
    
    
• Leaders in Plumbing Services

The plumbing sector features a mix of established names tackling sizable projects and smaller businesses with localized influence. Despite lower sales volumes compared to the giants in specialized construction, these firms remain pivotal in the plumbing market. UTB shines as a major player, executing significant plumbing projects with a particular kinship for large-scale endeavors. Anvolia and Fouchard follow, each with their focused approach and tailored plumbing solutions—whether it's complex installations or routine maintenance tasks. Gallier differentiates itself with a mixture of services that draw on its proficiency in plumbing, maintaining a stronghold particularly in the towns and cities where it operates.

• The Small Yet Mighty Smaller plumbing companies, including Entreprise Marin and Entreprise Clément, while not disclosing their sales figures, are integral participants in the marketplace. They represent the local heartbeat of the sector, offering handcrafted solutions and an intimate customer service experience where larger groups might not tinker.
  
  
• The Digital Facilitators: On the digital frontier, online quotation sites like Enchantier.com, Habitatpresto, and Izi by EDF are developping rapidly.

Informations

• Nombre de pages : 30 pages
• Format : Version digitale et PDF
• Dernière mise à jour : 15/12/2022

Sommaire et extraits

Liste des graphiques

• Évolution du chiffre d'affaires du secteur de la plomberie
• Nombre total de logements mis en chantier
• Répartition des permis de construire selon le stravaux
• Les taux de crédits immobiliers aux particuliers, ensemble des marché
• Nombre de logements neufs autorisés et commencés
• Pourquoi les Français rénovent-ils leur logement ?
• Postes de dépenses selon le travail effectué
• Montant des travaux effectués au cours des 5 dernières années
• Nature des travaux de rénovation énergétique effectués dans les logements
• Niveau d'autonomie sur les travaux
• Part de marché des différents acteurs du secteur du bricolage
• Nombre d'entreprises et effectif salarié dans les activités de plomberie
• Quels types de professionnels ont été engagés pour les travaux des Français ?
• Critère de choix d'un artisan pour les travaux
• Les priorités des ménages français pour leurs projets travaux en 2022