Employment & Training: Construction brokerage, today's profession

 Paris, the 16 April 2012

In keeping with its mission to supervise, support, and develop the construction brokerage profession, and in response to growing consumer demand, the FFCT is innovating by creating new continuing education programs for existing construction brokers. These training courses, delivered by industry specialists, complement initial training by addressing key issues that construction brokers face on a daily basis.

FFCT continuing education: a new formula for ongoing support

Launched this year to support construction brokers, the FFCT's continuing education courses last a full day. These short training sessions allow brokers to stay abreast of the industry's requirements and cope with the regular changes brought about by current laws and regulations. The FFCT aims to provide brokers with concrete solutions that are tailored to and in line with client expectations.

Continuing training is aimed at brokers who are members of the FFCT as well as new members who have completed the initial three-day training course. 

The next sessions will take place:

- June 14th: Developing customer traffic through prospecting

- June 15: Legal; Dispute handling and prevention

- July 2nd: Selection of construction companies / Insurance for the client, the broker and their partners

- July 3rd: Energy performance and the Grenelle Environment Forum

Continuing education will continue in September with new topics.

Opportunities in a growing sector

Anyone with a commercial background and an affinity for the construction sector can complete the initial training and become a construction broker. Real estate agency managers, sales and technical sales agents, and construction business managers also have particularly valuable skills for developing this activity.

The work broker's mission is twofold: they assist individuals in carrying out their work by establishing contact with qualified companies. Their knowledge of the construction sector saves both parties time. The core of their activity is to answer the client's questions by supporting them through their project. They may even be required to assist in preparing the financial file for obtaining loans from banks.

The construction brokerage market

The construction broker is now one of the essential players in the real estate renovation sector. In a constantly growing market, construction brokerage meets real demand by providing concrete solutions to both consumers and businesses.

Motivated by declining purchasing power, individuals are seeking to save money by optimizing their homes to reduce housing costs. Rising gas and electricity prices, which are driving up energy costs (+4,6% on average over the decade1), are a good example.

It also involves adding value to a property by adding energy-efficient equipment. This current issue has more recently been reflected in the mandatory energy label, which displays the energy performance of homes and meets strict building regulation criteria. Individuals may request it when purchasing and selling a property.

1 Source Xerfi study 2011

A few facts :

- The acquisition of old properties often results in upgrading and development work that directly impacts the construction sector, particularly the work broker profession (750 transactions for old homes in 000). The turnover for housing maintenance and renovation was estimated at €2011 billion in 45,9, an increase of 2011% over one year.

- The turnover of the works brokerage should reach 60 million euros in 2013, or 600 million in works equivalent.

- Construction brokerage responds to a demand from the craft sector by working primarily with companies with fewer than 11 employees: 65-70% of companies in the housing maintenance and renovation market are among the small-sized VSEs and SMEs. Here, the construction broker saves time in prospecting for clients.

- Households generate more than three-quarters of the home improvement market's revenue. Various incentives, such as the eco-PTZ (Price-Loan Interest) and tax credits, have encouraged households to carry out renovations aimed at reducing their energy bills.

How to become a works broker?

The FFCT organizes three-day initial training sessions on "The work broker profession and its scope of practice." These training sessions take place every two months in June, September, and November. The next session will be held from June 11 to 13, 2012.

To register or obtain information, you can contact the FFCT by email at: contact@courtage-travaux-ffct.fr or by phone: 01 72 74 55 29.

The French Federation of Works Brokerage

In 2007, under the leadership of Nicolas Daumont, now president of the Federation, the FFCT was created as a 1901 Law association to regulate the construction brokerage profession and contribute to its recognition. In addition to the regulatory aspects of the profession and its representation, the FFCT supports independent construction brokers, in particular through advice and the implementation of training specifically adapted to their field of intervention, in close connection with the laws and regulations in force, and particularly the measures of the Grenelle de l'Environnement which concern the construction sector. To date, the Federation brings together 250 brokers spread throughout France, including the overseas territories.

For more information: http://www.courtage-travaux-ffct.fr