The IHBA says this is not the sole challenge facing the sector.
Builders say there is a concerning lack of skilled labour in Ireland's construction sector.
It is particularly the case in the wet trades - bricklaying, plastering and stonelaying, has seen drops of between 30% and 44% in the number of new apprentices.
It comes as a member of the Climate Advisory Council warned the workforce isn't there to meet the demand for new homes and deep retrofits.
A new climate plan with details of a retrofit programme is expected to be published in the coming months.
James Benson is Director of the Irish Home Builders' Association.
He joined Eoin Beatty on Thursday's edition of Kildare Today.