Housing construction - 4. quarter of 2008

In the fourth quarter of 2008, 9 686 dwellings were started (-19.1% y-o-y), 12 397 dwellings were completed (-30.4%) and 176 120 dwellings were under construction (+3.0%).
In the year 2008 43 531 dwellings were started (-0.6%) and 38 383 dwellings completed (-7.8%).
Dwellings started
In Q4 2008 9 686 dwellings were started, which was down by 19.1% (-2 292 dwellings) compared to Q4 2007. Increases were recorded for dwellings in family houses (+6.6%, i.e. +335 dwellings) and dwellings in extensions – to family houses (+3.7%, i.e. +18 dwellings) and to multi-dwelling buildings (+7.0%, i.e. +33 dwellings). The most marked decreases were observed for dwellings in multi-dwelling buildings (-44.7%, i.e. -2 107 dwellings).
In the year 2008 43 531 dwellings were started, which was down by 0.6% (-265 dwellings). The trend varied during the year: there was an increase in the first year-half and a decrease in the second year-half.

Dwellings completed
In Q4 2008 12 397 dwellings were completed, which was down by 30.4% (-5 426 dwellings) in comparison to Q4 2007. This decrease was partly affected by the high comparative basis of Q4 2007. Numbers of dwellings completed increased only in family houses (+8.3%, i.e. +517 dwellings) and in converted non-residential spaces (+15.9%, i.e. +102 dwellings). Dwellings in the other types of constructions decreased, mostly dwellings in residential buildings (-59.8%, i.e. -5 435 dwellings).
In the year 2008 38 383 dwellings were completed, which was down by 7.8% (-3 266 dwellings). The trend differed considerably from quarter to quarter: y-o-y increases in Q1–Q3 and a fall in Q4 causing a total decrease for the year 2008.

Dwellings under construction
The total of 176 120 dwellings under construction on 31 December 2008 was up by 3.0% y-o-y (+5 149 dwellings). The highest shares in dwellings under construction were reported for family houses (50.6%) and multi-dwelling buildings (19.0%).

Dwelling modernisations (upon building notice or building permit)
In Q4 2008 modernisation of 5 996 dwellings was completed, which was up by 13.1% in comparison to Q4 2007.

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Notes
Contact: Petra Curinova, phone (+420) 274054199, e-mail: petra.curinova@csu.gov.cz
Data source: CZSO direct survey in planning and building control authorities
End of data collection: 30 January 2009
End of data processing: 12 February 2009
The data published are finalised for dwellings started and preliminary for dwellings completed and dwellings under construction.
Related publications: /1-ep-8
8205-08 Housing Construction, Q4 2008