Overcoming The Challenges Of Retrofit Installation In Rural Areas

To announce the release of a series of in-depth resources, designed to support retrofit suppliers as they prepare for delivery across rural and remote areas, Gareth Field, Subject Matter Expert, Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise explores the challenges, but also the huge potential for rural retrofit.

As Warm Homes funding opens significant investment for energy efficiency improvements, housing providers and local authorities across rural England face a challenge: how do you deliver retrofit at scale when contractors, skilled workers, and properties are scattered across hundreds of square miles?

The Rural Retrofit Challenge

Capacity sits at the heart of the problem. Many rural areas have small, capable installers who can manage individual projects or small schemes—but they lack the workforce or accreditations (such as PAS 2035 and Trustmark registration) to scale up. Meanwhile, larger contractors with these credentials and the capacity to deliver hundreds of installations often find rural work economically challenging; properties spread across wide areas mean higher travel costs, longer project timescales, and greater difficulty recruiting and retaining staff to remote sites.

Challenges

A major issue is the lack of local contractors who can handle the volume of work needed. Many rural areas only have smaller installers who can manage a handful of schemes, while those with the right skills and accreditations (like PAS and Trustmark registration) are spread out over wide distances.

Larger contractors, who have the capacity to take on bigger programmes, often find rural areas less attractive. Properties are spread out, which increases travel time and costs, and makes it harder to staff projects. Rural properties themselves can also be more challenging— listed buildings, conservation area restrictions, and heritage considerations make retrofitting more complex than in urban areas where properties are often more uniform.

That said, there can be advantages. Many rural properties need more extensive work, which can create higher-value projects per property for installers.

Possible Solutions

Collaboration can make a big difference. If housing providers work together in consortia, they can combine properties into larger, more attractive packages for bigger contractors. Breaking schemes into regional lots can also reduce travel and make projects more appealing.

Developing the local workforce is another key strategy. Training and accrediting local subcontractors creates a pool of skilled suppliers who can take on work close to home, reducing reliance on distant teams.

Logistics are another challenge. Limited space for materials and equipment means installers often have to manage frequent deliveries from far away, adding cost and complexity. Housing providers can help by offering storage or depot space near project sites, making projects run smoother and more efficiently.

By combining collaboration, local workforce development, and smart logistics, rural retrofit programmes can overcome these barriers and deliver real improvements in energy efficiency—while supporting local economies.