Government Green Deal - Assessment costs?

[Deleted User]

The upfront assessment costs seem to be high for this scheme (the couple of companies I looked at are upwards of £150).

I know I ***MAY*** make this back eventually, but this upfront cost is certainly a barrier for entry.

Anyone offering them cheaper, or for free? How hard can it be to use a thermal imaging camera to find how efficient my house is. That cost seems to be rather high...

good_advice

Wow, that is a lot. The green deal is supposed to help us be energy efficient. NOT FLEESE US for greedy profit.

[Deleted User]

Indeed, that's why I asked here, as I figured there must be somone doing it for a reasonable fee.

Joyful

I know British Gas are doing it for £99 but had thought all assessments would be the same price.

ic

Read this for some info about what the assessment does: http://rorybergin.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/green-deal-assessment-how-it-will-work/

[Deleted User]

Sounds like much of the "evaluation" is simply common sense that's already inplace. It also sounds like at no time does anyone actually do a thermal survey of the property to see where money is best spent..

Sounds like a waste of time then... £200 to tell me what I already know (that I should have 270mm of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and A+ rated appliances).

pardal51

mgillespie wrote: »

Sounds like much of the "evaluation" is simply common sense that's already inplace. It also sounds like at no time does anyone actually do a thermal survey of the property to see where money is best spent..

Sounds like a waste of time then... £200 to tell me what I already know (that I should have 270mm of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and A+ rated appliances).

To be able to get the cashback for this scheme you need to get an assessment done by an approved assessor.

rabialiones

i thought the assessment was free

rogerblack

The green deal is far from free, and may be very poor value for some.
It is (for most) paid out of an increased price on your energy, to pay back the work done.

This is fine, in principle, but comes with some unfortunate consequences.
The group of people who will do green deal work will be charging over market rates for doing the work, due to the bother of getting approved.
The loan supplied is at a profit.

If you are in a position where you can pay up front for the work, and finance it cheaply, or even from savings - you may be far better off.
This doesn't apply if you're likely to move in the period the green deal repayments will occur in, and it could be valuable for those.