Not long ago, Phénix house construction gained ground in France. Part of the Geoxia group, the company was established in 1945.

Phénix house clients multiplied especially in the 1970s. While the condominium continues to enjoy tremendous success to this day, this is not the case for the Phénix houses system. It was placed into judicial liquidation in 2022.

To clarify, this article provides important details about the Phénix house evolution. Let’s start by giving you its definition.

Who is Maison Phénix?

World War II caused significant human and material damage. It destroyed up to 2,600,000 buildings and houses.

The provisional government at the time established a ministry responsible for city reconstruction. It was in this context that the Phénix house concept emerged. The owner, the Geoxia group, offers individuals low-cost houses.

Indeed, Phénix house construction relies on the same model. As construction materials, it favors concrete panels and metal framing. However, it does not use bricks, cinder blocks, or wood.

By the way, if concrete construction interests you, consider researching essential equipment such as the concrete grooving machine and the concrete mixer.

Returning to our topic, the common feature of all Phénix houses also lies in the use of the heat pump and complete equipment. The construction elements are produced and then preassembled in the factories of the Phénix company of the Geoxia group.

With the plurality of positive Phénix house reviews, the company became a leader in individual house construction until it ended up in judicial liquidation.

Essential Characteristics

Since the 1970s, Maisons Phénix have been known for their affordability and speed of construction. They have features that attract many homeowners looking for an individual house project. Here are the key points to remember:

• Industrialized construction: based on metal framing and prefabricated panels.
• Speed of implementation: the main structure is often completed in a few months.
• Competitive price: one of the main advantages, with accessible offers compared to other builders.
• Standardized plans: often pre-designed models, with more limited customization.
• Questionable durability: older Phénix houses may present challenges for renovation.
• Wide distribution in France: several hundred thousand households have opted for this type of house.
• Recent developments: newer ranges that are more modern, better insulated, and compliant with current energy standards.

Does Maison Phénix still exist?

Even though the Phénix house construction group experienced enormous success, its success came to an end in 2022. Indeed, the company held the top spot in the market in 2015. It managed to build between 8,500 and 10,000 homes each year.

With its 3 models of Geoxia house constructions, namely Renouveau, Renaissance, and Welcome, it continues to captivate French households. Moreover, the Phénix house price fits almost every budget.

Despite this, the company suffered a heavy fall in 2022. The commercial court decided to place it in judicial liquidation at the end of June. As a result, the Phénix house construction contract no longer exists at this time until further notice.

Maison Phénix and the liquidation of the Geoxia group

On June 28, 2022, 17 companies from the individual house construction group were placed in judicial liquidation.

This decision by the commercial court also affects the Geoxia group as well as its subsidiaries such as Maisons Phénix. However, the company left 1,600 construction sites that have not yet started or are awaiting completion.

Following this news, more and more people are giving in to panic, especially the 1,100 employees of the Phénix Maison company. They wonder if they will end up unemployed or if by chance the brand has projects planned for them.

Similarly, 3,500 Maisons Phénix clients are at a loss. No one can reassure them whether the construction will continue or not. If the Maisons Phénix owner has already started the work, they no longer know if it will be completed or not.

Why can’t Maison Phénix finish these constructions anymore?

As we just mentioned above, 1,600 Phénix house construction sites remain pending. Following the Phénix group judicial liquidation, nearly all owners face financial problems.

According to Fernando Cabete Neves, the collapse of many years of Maisons Phénix activity is explained by a cash flow problem.

After the government’s decision on the zero-interest loan, many low-income households no longer have the possibility to build a house. This reform causes a significant drop in the clientele of Maisons Phénix.

At the time when Geoxia, owner of Maisons Phénix, planned to fix the situation, COVID-19 suddenly emerged. This health crisis only worsened things. Due to the lockdown, it caused a halt in the company’s activity for several months.

According to Fernando Cabete Neves, the epidemic also caused a price increase for all products including materials. As a result, the Phénix house price became high, which deterred a number of households in France.

Comparison with a traditional construction

Choosing a Maison Phénix often means hesitating between speed and attractive price on one hand, and customization or durability on the other. To help better understand their specifics, here is a comparative table between a Maison Phénix and a traditional construction:

Criteria	Maison Phénix	Traditional Construction
Construction Method	Metal frame + prefabricated panels	Masonry (cinder blocks, bricks, concrete)
Construction Timeframe	Fast (6 to 8 months on average)	Longer (10 to 14 months depending on project)
Average Cost	More affordable	Generally higher
Customization	Limited to a few standardized models	Very high, custom plans and materials
Insulation	Adequate in recent models	Often better and more durable
Durability	Questioned for older models	Excellent over time
Scalability / Extension	More restrictive	Easier to adapt or expand

What will become of Maison Phénix construction sites?

For those who sign a Maison Phénix construction contract before the judicial liquidation of the Geoxia group, their construction project must be halted. To continue it, they can turn to the insurer to request compensation.

Normally, insurance is required during the construction of a new house. One must pay approximately 7,000 euros extra for the house.

Since there are many Maison Phénix clients, one wonders if insurance companies have the capacity to fulfill their obligations.

If the insurers AXA and CGI BATIMENT encounter no problems, this will not be the case with Imhotep. The latter must, however, insure the Geoxia group owner.

To better manage finances, some companies refuse to cover renovation work. They focus solely on new constructions of individual houses.

What are the disadvantages of a Maison Phénix?

While some Maison Phénix reviews remain positive, others are negative. Many complaints from Maison Phénix clients relate to the quality of construction. They severely criticize the materials used.

Also, they notice that the electric heating loses performance over the years. The system requires regular maintenance which can sometimes be costly. It is the same for the insulation of the Maison Phénix. It does not function properly.

Since Maison Phénix houses are among prefabricated constructions, they do not resemble architect-designed houses. As a result, they may lose their value over time.

Other craftsmen lack the skill to properly use the modules of Maison Phénix. This inability sometimes causes inconvenience to owners.

What is the price of a Maison Phénix?

The company offers you a choice between 3 Geoxia house constructions including Renaissance, Renouveau, and Welcome. Whatever the range, it offers 2 to 5 bedrooms from 102 m² to 137 m². It is possible to customize the Maison Phénix according to your needs and lifestyle.

A two-story house is a better option for a large family. To build it, you need to prepare a budget between 100,000 euros to 130,000 euros varying according to the number of bedrooms.

As for a couple, single-story houses suit them very well. The same goes for a family without children. A construction equipped with 4 bedrooms requires about 105,000 euros.

If single-story houses have 5 bedrooms, the Phénix house price is around 115,000 euros. Generally, the Phénix house price per m2 averages between 800 and 1,200 euros per m2.

What was the price of a Phénix house?

Due to COVID-19, almost all costs of house construction materials are rising. Whether it is concrete, steel, or wood, these elements are offered at twice the normal price.

If the Phénix house price was at most 100,000 euros before the crisis, it now costs approximately 120,000 or even 150,000 euros.

According to this reasoning, choosing a Phénix house is no longer interesting. Moreover, the company has already been placed in judicial liquidation since June 2022.

What is the lifespan of a Phénix house?

Like all prefabricated house constructions, the Phénix house also has an interesting lifespan. If most were built in the 1970s, they still persist today in an almost impeccable state. These houses can therefore last more than 50 years.

In any case, they require regular maintenance to optimize their longevity. Most of the time, it is necessary to occasionally check the heating and insulation. When you notice signs of humidity, think about treating them promptly to avoid possible damage.

How to insulate the walls of a Phénix house?

There are several ways to insulate walls, but external insulation is one of the most effective methods for Phénix houses.

To apply the insulating material, gluing is the only option. Anchoring may seem difficult or even impossible for a prefabricated house. In any case, it is preferable to go through a professional to get better finishes.

Entrust your project to a house builder in the 44 

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Your home will become autonomous and you will thus be able to produce your own electricity. When defining the plan of your house, you will receive relevant advice. You will also be accompanied until the keys are handed over. If you intend to build a home in Loire-Atlantique, take this opportunity to request a quote to estimate the cost of this project.