Czech Builders Call for Stability as Survey Reveals Split Over Government Policy

A new industry survey has highlighted sharp divisions within the Czech construction sector over how the government is handling policy for the industry. While some firms see recent measures as helpful, a larger share remain unconvinced that the current direction is addressing the sector’s needs.

According to the research, just over a third of construction companies said the government’s current approach is not effective, while about three in ten respondents felt the measures had contributed to improvements. Fewer than half of the surveyed firms want the next administration to maintain the present course, with many warning against sweeping reforms that could drag out projects and introduce further uncertainty.

Companies were asked to evaluate the government’s record across several areas. The highest marks went to investment in transport infrastructure, which was seen as the most consistently supported. At the other end of the scale, efforts to digitalise permitting and streamline construction management drew the harshest criticism. The regulatory environment for planning and building approvals also scored poorly, reflecting longstanding frustrations in the sector.

Business leaders interviewed alongside the survey results said that speeding up approval processes remains a critical priority, with many pointing to the still incomplete rollout of the revised Building Act. They also underlined the importance of a predictable market for building materials and more accessible financing for housing through lower borrowing costs.

Executives stressed that stability is particularly needed in capital-intensive programmes such as infrastructure. Nearly three-quarters of companies in the survey said continuity in road and transport investment must be preserved, while more than half called for steady public investment to support the wider sector.

On housing, the responses suggested that progress has been limited, with calls for stronger government backing of both affordable and new residential development. Industry representatives also said that greater support for digital tools and simpler rules around zoning and permitting would help clear bottlenecks.

The findings arrive as debate continues over the country’s Building Act, which came into force during the current administration but had been originally shaped by the previous government. A third of construction firms surveyed judged that neither version of the reform was suitable. Sixteen percent said the earlier draft, which envisaged a centralised building authority, would have been better, while thirteen percent expressed more confidence in the current cabinet’s revisions.

Despite these criticisms, expectations for the industry remain cautiously positive. Separate forecasts suggest Czech construction output could grow modestly in 2025 and 2026, supported by public infrastructure spending, cheaper credit, and a gradual economic recovery. The survey results indicate, however, that the sector wants reassurance that future governments will prioritise consistency over constant change.

Source: CTK