28/10/2008 by Stuart White.

I’ve decided to include EN postcodes, EN6, EN7, EN8, EN10 and EN11 as part of my service. Other areas will also be considered but on a time and mileage basis.

I’m finding that word of mouth is proving to be a powerful way to build my business and that doesn’t reflect in rigid boundaries.

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23/10/2008 by Stuart White.

Um, I’m wondering what I should do. I’ve had 2 calls today both of which are a bit too far to travel to. I pride myself on a very fast turn around and 20 hours from instruction is my fastest so far.

I was called today for a property in Finchley and just now for a property in Hoddesdon. I need to stick to a small area - in order to provide the best and fastest service I can.

 Does anybody else stick to defined areas?

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16/10/2008 by Stuart White.

I’ve been talking to both Estate Agents and Lettings agents and there’s still a great deal of confusion surrounding EPCs - both for the Lettings market and the HIP.

Some Estate Agents think my fees are very reasonable, almost too reasonable, whilst others say the complete opposite. I win most business quotes, but not every quote.

So what is the market price of an EPC? What’s an acceptable price to pay for a HIP including the EPC? and why is the industry so confused?

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10/10/2008 by Stuart White.

I’m getting increasing wary of HIP info overload, from my accreditation body, Bre. Please, Bre, just stick to EPCs . The HIP is just a legal admin. function. It has no place in building design and construction. Why do you think Domestic Energy Assessors give anything for HIPs?

I received a Bre Technical update #4 yesterday and some of the info. quite a lot of the info. related to HIPs. Bre please remember that its EPCs that matter - no trying to appease DEAs with useful info on the HIPs process. Don’t do the Government’s job for them.

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09/10/2008 by Stuart White.

Most of my work at the moment consists of surveying small flats; 1 , 2 beds and studios. Yet some of these are still taking an hour per site visit.

I’ve yet to survey a new or nearly new flat. Most of my surveys are on property built 12 or more years ago. Even with simple room shapes there are some intriguing heating options that can always catch me out. I find inputting the data to generate the certificate is taking about 45 minutes and I’ve had to request one UPRN which came through very quickly.

I estimate that it takes just under 2 hours 45 minutes to survey a small flat - leaving the office, doing the survey, returning and then generating the certificate. 

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07/10/2008 by Stuart White.

I’m getting a few calls from landlords who don’t understand their legal requirements, particularly confusing is when a tenant is in place. In this case its not compulsory to have an EPC until a change of tenant.

Some landlords are still going ahead and getting an EPC in place to reduce voids when they come to let again.

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06/10/2008 by Stuart White.

Well I guess we always knew it would take the threat of a fine and legislation to stimulate action. I’ve seen a big increase on web traffic to my site last week. I gained an order for 3 properties on the very first morning - quickly followed by a big enquiry for 8 properties on the second day.

Friday 3rd saw me take an instruction for a house this week. I’m also glad to see large adverts in the National Press doing their bit to raise awareness. It’s a pity that the URL on these ads doesn’t really lead you to a database of qualified DEAs.

I guess that would be too hopeful?

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05/10/2008 by Stuart White.

At last I’ve seen full page adverts in today’s Sunday papers; Observer and Mail on Sunday is where the ads were today.

A good friend of mine has heard radio ads on Talk Sport.

Anybody heard or seen anything else?

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02/10/2008 by Stuart White.

 Your local Energy Assessor will contact you within 24 hours of your order to come and visit the property for about 30mins. Energy Assessors are generally flexible and can come anytime.

I’ve just lifted this from a HIP provider’s website - based in the Manchester area with an 0161 code. I’m not giving them any publicity but this really devalues Domestic Energy Assessors.

1. A survey can not be done at Night or dusk as photos have to be taken to back up the site visit. These clearly need to show the Central Heating flue and other recorded details.
2. Approx 5 external photos and 5 internal photos are required as back up.
3. All rooms have to be measured.
4. Even the smallest flat will take 30 minutes to survey and 2 bedroom flats can take up to an hour each.

Clearly this company do not know what business they are in.

I just hope the public wake up and realises that its the EPC provided by the DEA that’s the real value in a HIP - not its retail price. Monkeys and Peanuts fits somewhere.

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02/10/2008 by Stuart White.

Well 2 days into the new legislation and the phone’s been reasonably active.

I took a call from a landlady with 8 flats - all close to each other and looking for some help and guidance as to when she should get her portfolio surveyed. Sadly, she lived in Devon and had found the site on Google and failed to notice that I only cover part of Hertfordshire - yet I was down in Cornwall last week - if only she had called me then. She wants to get all of her properies done at the same time to reduce her costs - but of course 8 flats might be more than a day’s work - one was a 3 bed flat and they can be trickier to do. Some were occupied so notice might have to be provided - not an easy issue to resolve.

I suggested that she use DEA local to find a local assessor in Devon. 

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