12.03.2025
Challenges and Benefits of Participating in the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Renovation Model within Renov-AID
On Friday, March 7, 2025, in Ljubljana, as part of the Sejem Dom fair, a roundtable discussion was held on the Opportunities and Challenges of Establishing a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Advisory Contact Point for Building Energy Renovations. The event was organized within the framework of two European projects, Renov-AID and BUSHROSS, and brought together representatives from the construction industry, financial institutions, municipalities, and other key stakeholders in the building renovation process. The discussion highlighted the key challenges and opportunities in comprehensive building renovations, from the decision-making process of property owners, project planning, financing, execution, to quality control.
The event was opened by Dr. Miha Tomšič from the Building Research Institute ZRMK. Introductory speeches were delivered by Gregor Rome from the Energy Directorate at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy (MOPE), Ana Tisov and Jure Vetršek from the Innovation and Development Institute of the University of Ljubljana, as coordinators of the Renov-AID project, and Dr. Marjana Šijanec Zavrl from GI ZRMK, representing the BUSHROSS project. The discussion was moderated by Andro Goblon from the Slovenian Construction Cluster and Neva Jejčič from GI ZRMK. The discussion addressed current challenges in residential renovations and potential solutions through integrated services.
Challenges in Residential Energy Renovations
One of the key challenges in residential energy renovations, apart from financing, is the uncertainty of property owners and the complexity of procedures (e.g., obtaining building permits for structural interventions, approvals, energy audits, renovation plans, securing subsidies, etc.). Many owners do not recognize the economic benefits of renovations, while banks struggle to properly assess risks, which hinders the scaling up of renovations. A lack of clear vision from owners regarding their renovation goals complicates the decision-making and design process. The complexity of administrative procedures results in additional costs and delays, leading to proposals for simplification and the introduction of clear and unified guidelines for all renovation phases. In practice, property owners are often unaware of when a building permit is required, and different interpretations of regulations by permit-issuing authorities create inconsistencies, which need to be standardized. Additionally, the process of obtaining building permits and approvals can be lengthy, as municipal offices are often overwhelmed, further delaying procedures. Coordination between different sectors is necessary since multiple approvals are often required (e.g., for cultural heritage, water protection zones, structural assessments). Project documentation (PZI) is often mandatory, yet owners perceive it as an unnecessary expense, failing to recognize its value, even though good documentation is crucial for high-quality renovations. Addressing design quality challenges is also necessary. Supervision of energy renovations incurs additional costs that owners do not anticipate, but ensures high-quality execution. In Slovenia, extensive structural reinforcement of buildings is also needed, which can be up to five times more expensive than energy renovations, and temporary relocation requirements further increase costs and complicate execution. Similar to Eco Fund, where subsidies or favorable loans require compliance with specific criteria, commercial banks could also enforce quality criteria to ensure that only high-standard renovations receive financing. This would prevent inefficient or unsustainable renovations and encourage higher-quality solutions.
Benefits of the OSS Model for Stakeholders
The OSS model offers multiple benefits by reducing complexity and uncertainty throughout the renovation process, improving owners’ awareness of procedures and financial options, enhancing renovation quality through a systematic approach and oversight, and promoting comprehensive renovations instead of piecemeal interventions, which often fail to deliver long-term benefits.
Competence Development on the Supply Side
For the successful implementation of the OSS system, challenges on the service provider and contractor side must also be addressed. Designers and energy consultants should play an active role in educating and informing owners about quality renovations. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of proper project planning, starting with a well-prepared project brief that includes structural reinforcement, ventilation systems, and heritage preservation. Proposals have been made for the funding of PZI documentation, which would enhance renovation quality. The development and promotion of the Building Renovation Passport (Renovation Passport) is also important, as it would allow for better planning of phased renovations and monitoring of actual renovation impacts.
Quality Assurance and Supervision System
Supervision and quality assurance are essential elements of a successful renovation. However, property owners often fail to recognize the importance of oversight, leading to poorly executed renovations. A quality assessment system for renovations has been proposed as part of the OSS model, along with the creation of a list of verified designers and contractors who meet specific quality standards. Additionally, training programs should be organized for all stakeholders—designers, contractors, advisors, and banks—to ensure they are informed about processes, standards, and effective communication with property owners.
Skill Gaps for Effective OSS Operations
We recognize that only an integrated support service for building renovation can truly enhance its scale and impact. Therefore, our roundtable discussion also focused on the knowledge and skills required by OSS participants to ensure that advisory services are truly comprehensive. At least four expert profiles will be involved in the OSS – legal, technical, social, and economic. Additionally, organizational, soft, and digital skills are essential. The most significant skill gaps are evident in legal advisory and financing models, while there is also a strong need for technical and organizational skills to support homeowners in their renovation journey. The BUSHROSSs project will design targeted training programs for staff at “one-stop-shop” advisory centers to ensure their assistance aligns with the needs of citizens.
Conclusion
For the successful implementation of the OSS model in Slovenia, it is crucial to reduce the uncertainty of property owners through better information and support, strengthen the role of designers and consultants in raising awareness of high-quality solutions, increase trust and quality assurance with clear standards and quality control, and simplify administrative procedures, which will accelerate renovations and enhance their feasibility.
Renov-AID and BUSHROSS partners sincerely thank all participants for their cooperation in the roundtable discussion and look forward to future collaboration. The Renov-AID project will, over the next three years, organize further events and activities to establish integrated OSS services in pilot cities (Ljubljana, Kranj, Velenje). All interested stakeholders are invited to follow the progress via the project website, the Renov-AID LinkedIn page, and to participate through the biannual Renov-AID newsletter.
The BUSHROSS project, over the next two years, will, following the example of already operating advisory points, prepare Massive Open Online Courses (MOST), through which personnel involved in the organization and operation of OSS will acquire key skills for the successful implementation of advisory activities throughout the entire building renovation process. Updates can be followed via the project website.
