That's according to Director General of the Construction Industry Federation, Offaly's Tom Parlon.
Construction costs of bricks, morter and labour account for less than half the price of building a house.
That's according to Director General of the Construction Industry Federation, Offaly's Tom Parlon, who says soft costs such as VAT, levies and professional fees make up the majority of the expense.
A report from Remax auctioneers shows buyers could save an average of €28,000 if the government reduced VAT to just 5% on new housing.
The Coolderry man says these costs are driving the lack of supply to the market: