Belgium/Braine-l'Alleud: renovating your own home with the help and support of professionals
Renovate your home yourself, with the advice and support of entrepreneurs trained in coaching: that's the aim of the "Pro et Moi" project, supported by the Walloon Region. Last night, this "supported self-renovation program" was presented to the public in Braine-l'Alleud. Encouraged by local and regional authorities, the formula is part of a policy of energy transition for housing. A plus for the planet, reducing the cost and duration of certain building projects, and saving energy. This pilot project has been initiated in several Walloon municipalities. In these times of crisis and restrictions on regional subsidies, it may well convince some would-be renovators.
Renovating your own home to improve its EPB rating is a complicated, if not impossible, challenge for the average person! Julien, a DIY enthusiast at heart, was looking for a solution for the annex to his house. "There were a lot of things to do. And a lot of things I'd never done before, like drainage, insulation from the outside, reSo it's good to have the advice of someone who knows what they're doing.
Being accompanied by professionals trained in coaching is precisely what the "Pro et Moi" project offers.
As Laurent Ruidant, a Wavre entrepreneur and partner in the project, explains, the professional intervenes on several levels. "First, upstream. To develop the project. Then, to share our experience and give our opinion on the technical sheets and the right steps to follow. We give the self-renovator a framework. This allows them to put things in place, to see what works, to see what doesn't work so well and what needs to be improved".
With upstream advice, help with certain administrative tasks, and even relief from the most complex work, the individual can save time, avoid costly mistakes, reduce his or her carbon footprint and ensure that the renovation is well done.
"You can't improvise a building site," stresses project coordinator Julien Aniset. "There are rules to respect. For example, when you touch the building's structure. When you're using special, highly specific techniques. You need professional training to carry out this type of work.
Our partner professionals are trained in coaching techniques, so that they can provide the best possible support to individuals. This support can be adapted to suit the individual's needs, as each project is unique. Initiated in several Walloon communes, the project aims to be eco-responsible and transparent.
Source: www.rtbf.be/
