case study: compiling my own DIY HIP home information pack

tonytee

Property is a 2 bed flat in Kensington, leasehold. I had a quote for £415 and another one for just £265.

I would like to compile my own quote as my sister has just become a qualified energy assessor and can carry out an EPC for me for free. She says there is a registration cost of the EPC so I have to pay that. I think she said £7, is that right? Seems high to register an EPC but if thats teh case it will have to be added onto the price.

So far I am at this stage:

One quote was worded like this:

You will get the following:

*Property Information Questionnaire
edit- no EPC as I asked for quote without EPC
*Sales Statement
*Copy Of individual Register
*Copy of Title Plan
*Personal Local Authority Search
*Drainage and Water Enquiries
*Lease (Applicable to Lease hold properties only)


Re: Personal Local Authority Search,

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/planningandconservation/landcharges.aspx

Does that mean I pay

Fee for a Local search on a property within Kensington and Chelsea (LLC1 and Part 1Con 29 enquiries)
£257.50


or

From 1 January 2010 Personal Search plus £1.00 per additional parcel
£22.00





Which one will I need?

I need help on this part from someone in the know.
Also, what kind of insurances will I need in place or is a DIY HIP compliant if done throught the relevant agencies?

I need the £257.50 search then obviously the HIp providers quoting me are using search agencies. Which ones are best for my council?

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help.

TONY

Richard_Webster

This point keeps coming up - you have to use a search agency - they have indemnity insurance, you can't just spend the £22 - that's no good at all. I would use either OneSearch or Richards Gray. There will be usually be standard prices nationally.

G_M

Use the search button (top right) for many earlier threads on 'DIY HIPs'.

Concensus is usually that you can save a very small amount against online HIP providers but not really worth all the extra hastle/grief.

tonytee

Hi again.

Thanks for the above comments.

I have just received a reply from one of the HIP providers who quoted me and he stated that I would be receiving the £22 search. So my question is, why are HIPs so expensive when the search costs £22. The above quotes were without an EPC because thats what I asked for.

Can someone do a breakdown of the other costs? How much more would the £22 search be if I used a search company?

Thanks for the replies.

tonytee

The local search using OneSearch is £152 plus the drainage search charge of £49. How can an independent HIP provider do a quote for £200 inc VAT (just received quote) and £235 if I dont provide a lease copy. Are independent HIP providers just approaching local councils rather than using search companies who are insured. This is confusing to say the least.