WIESBADEN (dpa-AFX) - The slump in construction is also affecting suppliers of prefabricated houses. However, the decline last year was less pronounced than for conventional new builds, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on Monday. Accordingly, around 19,900 prefabricated residential buildings were erected, 2.5 percent fewer than in the previous year. The construction of new residential buildings using conventional construction methods fell more sharply by 7.5 percent to 76,900 units. Overall, 20.6% of completed residential buildings last year were prefabricated houses from the factory (2022: 19.7%).

The decline in prefabricated construction is mainly due to fewer single-family homes, with completions falling by 4.1% to 16,900 buildings. In contrast, there was an increase of 6.0% to 2,300 houses for two-family prefabricated houses. The number of buildings with at least three apartments rose by 12.0 percent to 790.

Rising interest rates and construction costs are thwarting some building plans. Added to this is the shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry. Last year, construction prices for prefabricated single-family homes rose by 8.1 percent compared to the annual average for 2022. Conventional residential buildings increased in price by 8.5 percent./mar/DP/mis