Advice Re: Hip Pack

MothballsWallet

Apologies for the long post.

I know someone who is a DEA, I have also helped him generate the EPCs from his surveys: the company he uses for the EPC software lets you automatically add the resulting EPC to the Landmark Register system through their website to get the RRN (Report Reference Number - Home Condition Reports & EPCs each get one when lodged), and the companies he receives leads from require this RRN for each survey & EPC completed.

I'm still undecided on whether HIPs and EPCs are a good idea, especially with the way the Goverment set them up so that private companies are being allowed to do some of the work - I spent a year in NZ, and they had a similar problem with independent inspectors/certifiers.

This was for building work meeting their building code - it became so bad that the NZ Government closed down all the independent certifiers through an Act of Parliament and passed responsibility to the Local Authorities.

As I warned my friend, I can see that happening with EPCs here if the DEAs and the lead companies run into problems with the standard and quality of their work. Especially with our Government's track record of anything important.

I can see the value in the packs and documents, but it's how it's all being done that has me worried. Estates Agents don't have a price ceiling for arranging an EPC for their clients, but the independent companies do (source: anecdotal from my friend, so not 100% sure on its veracity).

Sorry again for the long post.

chriserenity

A123JACK wrote: »

I received a response from them confirming there is no tie to any conveyancing. Seems a good deal, should i / shouldnt i !!!

Well, from what I've seen you generally get what you pay for with HIPs. The exception being if you've got a company that does alot of volume and takes a little profit per HIP. Some HIP providers try to be greedy/cheeky by offering the energy assessor about £40 for the EPC which isn't sustainable for the assessor (your average assessor does about 3/4 EPCs a week).

I would expect to pay between 300 and 350 for a good quality pack depending on whether the property is freehold/leasehold, whether it is unregistered and what optional documents are included.

Remember, something is only moneysaving if its good enough the first time round so you don't end up replacing it! (we had someone recently who just gave up on their HIP provider after so many probelms e.g. the energy assessor just didn't turn up, they never had a confirmation of order and the search was done on the wrong property!)

Jorgan_2

chriserenity wrote: »

Some HIP providers try to be greedy/cheeky by offering the energy assessor about £40 for the EPC which isn't sustainable for the assessor (your average assessor does about 3/4 EPCs a week).

In some area the energy assessors are only charging £45 for the EPC, that isn't being dictated by HIP providers, its the price they've cut themselves down to as they are desperate for work. As you say, this is unsustainable.

chriserenity

Jorgan wrote: »

In some area the energy assessors are only charging £45 for the EPC, that isn't being dictated by HIP providers, its the price they've cut themselves down to as they are desperate for work. As you say, this is unsustainable.

Well I suppose it depends how you look at it. Personally I think a lack of a cohesive representative body tying assessors together has allowed HIP providers to play assessors off each other. E.g. DEA gets call from HIP Provider asking if they want to do an EPC for £45. Their standard line when they are told where to go is "we already know where to go, to your competition down the street. If you won't do it someone else will".

Some people will be reading this thinking, "well thats fantastic, I could get an EPC for £45!". Yes most likely you could but I find its the poorest quality energy assessors who grab low priced work with open arms. Poorest quality in either training, experience, organisational skills, IT literacy, English skills or as you say their ability to do the sums that say they won't last for long on £45 every couple of days!

Jorgan_2

But its not £45 every few days, its a lot less. Take off £6 for the indemnity insurance, minus tax & N.I., a few pounds for petrol and your probably looking at £25.

I also think there is a risk of reasonably priced EPC's, £80-100 disappearing. The cheaper assessors want be around for long, but they may take the reasonably priced guys with them. We had a few assessors looking to charge £150-200 for an EPC when they first came out, they soon had to drop their prices. Hopefully we won't be seeing a return to those sort of prices.

chriserenity

Jorgan wrote: »

But its not £45 every few days, its a lot less. Take off £6 for the indemnity insurance, minus tax & N.I., a few pounds for petrol and your probably looking at £25.

I also think there is a risk of reasonably priced EPC's, £80-100 disappearing. The cheaper assessors want be around for long, but they may take the reasonably priced guys with them. We had a few assessors looking to charge £150-200 for an EPC when they first came out, they soon had to drop their prices. Hopefully we won't be seeing a return to those sort of prices.

It would feel weird charging £200 for an EPC I have to say - theres something wrong with that notion! And yes, £25 net sounds about right for a £45 fee. I think a price of between £80 and £100 is about right depending on the size of the property.

Jorgan_2

chriserenity wrote: »

It would feel weird charging £200 for an EPC I have to say - theres something wrong with that notion! And yes, £25 net sounds about right for a £45 fee. I think a price of between £80 and £100 is about right depending on the size of the property.

There were a few who viewed it as a get rich quick scheme. One told me he had signed an exclusive agreement with a HIP provider, hadn't heard of them, and reckoned on doing three a day, five days a week. On that basis he had offered on a property & was looking to sell his own. I remember it as the conversation took place on the afternoon of May 28th 2007, the day they announced the delay in introducing HIPs. He hadn't heard the news at the time.

Hawkings_Boots

£340 plus VAT here

country_sport

I confess to using cheap EPCs for my packs, once. Never again. It was totally wrong, full of mistakes and had to do done again after the seller had a fit. This didn't do my reputation any good with the agent either, who is now gloating to the seller " You should have had our ££600 pack!!" I have now found an excellent EPC man for £90 and ignore the offers of £50 i am constantly offered. I have since found out the agent uses cheap EPC men for there expensive packs! After complaining to the NHER about the first EPC, they couldn't have cared less! So on he goes.