The price of DPE in 2024 raises many questions among owners and future buyers. This mandatory diagnosis, which is crucial for assessing the energy performance of housing, reveals considerable cost disparities depending on the region. An in-depth study carried out by Kiwidiag, a platform specializing in real estate diagnostics, highlights these gaps. Indeed, they can be induced by factors such as the density of diagnosticians or travel costs. As Jeremy Pensieri, co-founder of Kiwidiag, points out, “it is essential to understand these differences to ensure equitable access to this crucial stage of energy renovation”.
Summary :
What is ECD and why is it important?
A key tool for measuring the energy efficiency of homes
The Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE) is an essential tool for assessing the energy consumption and environmental impact of buildings in France. This diagnosis assigns an energy rating to housing, classified on a scale of A to G. Thus, the goods rated A represent the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly housing. While those classified G are considered “energy strainers”, characterized by high consumption and a significant carbon impact.
A direct impact on the value of real estate
This classification is not limited to informing owners and tenants: it directly influences the value of a property on the real estate market. Well-rated accommodation generally benefits from better commercial attractiveness. While a poor energy label can lead to sales or rental difficulties, especially with new regulations. Since 2023, classified housing F and G are gradually excluded from the rental market. In addition, this measure will be extended to housing E in 2034.
A strengthened role in 2024 with renovation aid
In 2024, DPE takes on an even more strategic dimension. It has become a determining criterion for access to public aid for energy renovation, such as the MaPrimeRenov'. The latter conditions its financial support on work allowing a significant improvement in the energy class of housing. For example, owners must aim for a gain of at least two classes to benefit from maximum subsidies.
An essential contribution to the energy transition
In addition, the DPE plays a key role in comprehensive renovation projects. Well-targeted work, when guided by DPE recommendations, offers several major advantages. First of all, they make it possible to effectively reduce household energy bills, a crucial issue in a context of rising energy costs. Then, this work directly contributes to an ambitious collective objective: achieving carbon neutrality in France by 2050. By aligning the individual efforts of owners with national priorities, the DPE plays an essential lever role in accelerating the energy transition.
This growing importance, however, comes with challenges. Because we sometimes see a high price for DPE and unequal access to diagnosticians depending on the region.
“The DPE is much more than a simple classification tool: it guides the choices of owners and supports the energy transition,” explains Yannick Ainouche, president of the CDI.
This rise in ECD reflects national priorities in terms of sustainability. But this also raises questions about its accessibility and cost, particularly in rural areas.
Study methodology
The study carried out by Kiwidiag is based on more than 2,290 prizes collected through online platforms and direct contact with diagnosticians. It covers:
- THE 96 metropolitan departments,
- Two types of goods: apartments (60-90 m²) et houses (90-120 m²),
- THE additional costs (travel and report writing), which vary depending on the location and size of the property??.
Factors that influence the price of DPE in 2024
1. Density of diagnosticians
The link between the number of diagnosticians available and the price of ECD is obvious. Indeed, urban areas, where competition is strong, have significantly lower prices.
“Departments with few diagnosticians, like Creuse, record prices well above the average, due to lack of competition,” observes Jeremy Pensieri, co-founder of Kiwidiag and author of the study.
2. Travel costs and local specificities
Travel costs constitute a significant element in the variation of ECD prices, especially in rural regions. Unlike urban areas where assessors can operate in close proximity to the properties to be assessed, sparsely populated areas often require long and costly journeys.
The impact of distances in rural areas
Let's take the example of Lozère, one of the least densely populated departments in France. Here, the low number of certified diagnosticians often forces them to travel tens of kilometers to carry out a diagnosis. These journeys entail additional costs linked to fuel, transport time, and even the logistics necessary to cover several municipalities in one day. These expenses are then reflected in the final price paid by the owner.
For illustration:
- In Lozère, the average price for a DPE oscillates around 543 €well above the national average for houses.
- Urban areas like Île-de-France, where distances traveled are generally short, have much more competitive prices (approximately 122 € for an average house).
Particularly visible costs for houses
Houses, often located on the outskirts of towns or in isolated hamlets, amplify this effect. Unlike apartments generally grouped together in urban or peri-urban complexes, houses often require longer journeys and an extended evaluation time. This explains why the average price of a DPE for a house is higher than for an apartment, with differences sometimes reaching several hundred euros depending on the region.
Possible solutions to reduce these costs
Some initiatives seek to minimize the impact of travel costs. For example :
- Group diagnostics : Diagnosticians sometimes organize their visits to work on several properties in the same area in one day. This helps spread travel costs.
- Booking platforms : Platforms like Kiwidiag centralize requests and promote better route optimization.
- Local aid : In certain rural areas, regional aid can partially offset these additional costs to encourage owners to carry out their DPE.
“Travel costs are a structural problem for rural areas, but tools such as the pooling of diagnostics or digital platforms make it possible to reduce them,” specifies Jeremy Pensieri.
In short, if travel costs constitute a constraint for rural areas, they also underline the importance of optimized organization and institutional support to guarantee equitable access to ECD throughout France.
3. Strengthened regulations
Since 2023, diagnosticians must follow reinforced training and renew their certifications more frequently. These developments aim to improve the reliability of diagnoses, but they increase costs for professionals.
“The new certifications have a cost, but they guarantee better quality of service,” explains Yannick Ainouche.
Regional analysis: houses vs apartments
Apartments: an advantage in urban areas
DPE prices for apartments are generally lower, particularly in large cities where competition is strong.
Houses: higher prices in rural areas
Houses, often located on the outskirts or in rural areas, entail higher costs.
Outlook for price developments in 2024
With the requirement for a DPE for all rental and sale properties, demand is expected to increase. However, the number of diagnosticians remains limited in certain regions. We can therefore envisage an increase in the price of DPE.
“If demand continues to increase without a proportional increase in supply, prices risk soaring, particularly in rural areas,” warns Pascal Salewyn, co-founder of Kiwidiag.
However, platforms like Kiwidiag encourage competition between diagnosticians. Thus, they contribute to reducing regional differences and stabilizing the market. These digital tools could then play a crucial role in reducing gaps and ensuring equitable access to this essential diagnosis.
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