Interview with lawyer Pakleppa: Potentials and challenges of the construction industry

The lawyer Pakleppa has been active for the ZDB since 1997. He initially worked in the social and collective bargaining policy division, then in the main legal department and finally in management since 2009. He is also managing director of the Federal Association of the Construction Industry, the umbrella organization for the German construction and finishing trade.

Where do you currently see the greatest untapped potential in the real estate industry?

For me, the greatest potential lies in the construction turbo: Since October 2025, municipalities have been able to approve housing construction projects without a development plan process much more quickly via Section 246e in the Building Code. But in many places the instrument is still used too hesitantly. The legal options are there – now municipalities must apply them consistently.

What was the biggest aha moment for you personally regarding the real estate market/construction?

My aha moment: Around two thirds of residential construction contracts come from private builders. But they only build with reliable funding. Expanding special depreciation to houses that meet Efficiency House Standard 55 will initially cost the state money. In the long term, however, it could bring in around three times as much tax revenue because: Every euro invested in housing construction stimulates the economy because the funds are taxed and contributed to by local companies. Even during the construction phase, a lot flows back to the state through sales tax, wage tax and employee social security contributions as well as property transfer tax. Added to this is the income tax on rental income and, of course, the purchasing power that arises from the newly created jobs in construction. A new building subsidy is therefore not an expense, but an investment.

Which pioneering project recently particularly excited you?

The Hamburg Standard convinced me: the administration, chambers and housing industry have worked together to develop solutions that can reduce construction costs by up to 30 percent without any loss of quality. This shows that if the local actors work together pragmatically, a lot can be achieved during construction. This is exactly what we need nationwide.