Latest figures released full story...
The hectic life of Jenny Matthews, administrator for the Quidos Accreditation Scheme full story...
Details of the HIF members benefits scheme due to launch January 2009 full story...
From peak to slump, but something is on the up! full story...
Lest we forget, it was just a year ago, on December 14th 2007 - smack-bang in the middle of the property dead-zone - that Home Information Packs were finally unleashed across all homes in England and Wales following an haphazard and staggered roll-out.
For most DEAs, last year's festive season was anything but, thanks to the hurt inflicted by the calamitous birth of a new industry which left thousands impoverished.
During this period, men and women struggled to summon the reserves needed to "play families" - their only wish: that no one thrust unexpected gifts into hands that could not reciprocate.
'How are you? How's your new job going?', questions that would kill the exhuberance of visiting family if answered truthfully.
Underneath the smiling facade, deep, aching, financial worries bubbling restlessly in the pit of the stomache - Christmas could not end fast enough.
Without doubt, we have lost many since then, but it is incumbent upon everyone to remember their sacrifice, for if those people had not answered the Government's call to accredit, we would still be waiting for this first anniversary.
A year on, and although 2008 proved less fulfilling than expected, thanks to the credit-crunch and relentless tide of newly-accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (see below), some of you, at least, will be making-up for last year's lost Christmas. We thought it churlish, therefore. not to somehow decorate this newsletter appropriately (ahem).
New figures emerged early November detailing the latest numbers of energy assessors and EPCs issued from each discipline.
| Certificate | Issued |
|---|---|
| RdSAP | 1,429,959 |
| SAP | 117,053 |
| NDEPC | 10,192 |
| DEC | 6,732 |
| Discipline | Total accredited |
|---|---|
| DEA | 9144 |
| OCDEA | 848 |
| NDEA (L3) | 232 |
| NDEA (L4) | 386 |
| NDEA (L5) | 67 |
| DEC | 416 |
A few days earlier, a breakdown showing the number of EPCs per rating band was released (click image to enlarge):
Jenny Matthews, administrator for the Quidos Accreditation Scheme, shares what really goes on in the office. Working with Quidos from the early days of the scheme, she has witnessed the rapid growth of the company and dealt with the increased numbers of DEAs, NDEAs level three and four, and Data collectors that have joined the scheme. Her days tend to follow a similar pattern, although most days she remembers her keys!
Luckily enough I work in an office with plenty of parking, so, living pretty close, I get to work about 8.20am most days. Today though, I am locked out, my keys visible through the glass. Sebastiaan borrowed them to work late but isn't at this office today. Fortunately, Glenn was still in Frome and popped back to let me in.
Absolutely frozen, I offer to make hot drinks for everyone only to find out we have no milk, so back out into the cold I go. On my way to the shop I drive past a burger van and now all I can think about is their bacon sandwiches, so on the way back I pull over and grab one to take back to the office. I feel instantly warmer.
About 10am the post arrives so I go through it and separate DEA from HIP, and then open what is for me - most of it is cheques for lodgement fees plus an application form.
We share an office which seems to work quite well as all HIPs need an EPC - what better way to find a DEA than through their accreditation scheme!
Most of the calls I take throughout the morning are from DEAs talking about boilers and heating systems. Although I have some idea about this, having completed DEA training myself, some technical questions are passed to Kevin who is a practicing DEA.
I am on the phone most of the morning which can be very repetitive as some members call us two or three times - mostly for reassurance.
Then one of my favourite DEAs calls with a problem. I tell him its old age and he agrees, but it didn't solve the problem. I'm sure he fabricates problems just so he can have chat - I end up being right when he starts telling me what was in yesterday's paper and what his wife and daughter had to say about it.
An hour later he is back on the phone with another problem; he lodged a report and is unable to find it in Landmark. When I look at the software it tells me nothing has been lodged. I inform him of this and he then remembers why it's not been lodged.
I only managed to process a couple of applications this morning, what with all the calls, and it's now 1pm so I'm off home for lunch and some peace and quiet for an hour. It's so nice being within reach of home at work!
Back from lunch and I have a mountain of post-it notes on my desk asking if I can call them back; some want details of the DEA accreditation scheme and some want to pay outstanding fees. In-between returning these calls the phone seems to ring constantly - If only I could turn the phone off for an hour, I would get so much more done. We could do with an office junior!
After returning all the calls I needed to, I start to record the cheques and phone payments for head office (I'll be in trouble with accounts if it's not done).
Finally I can start processing the applications. This includes ensuring the DEA and their company details are lodged in our system correctly. I have also received a pile of signed membership agreements which mean I can finally accredit some more energy assessors. It's nice to see new names appear. For a relatively small office we have processed hundreds of applications.
The care taken when adding details now becomes crucial as I have to communicate with Pocket Survey to ensure the software is sent to the right person. I also have to inform the CLG of the applications and completed accreditations this week.
I look up and its 5pm already, it's gone really fast today. In fact, with all the calls and finding space to complete the paper work, most days disappear.
I try to finish what is on my desk and tidy round. I hope I have called everyone back and frantically check my email and instant messenger to make sure I haven't missed anyone. I hate to think that I'd upset a potential or existing member by missing a message but it does happen. The applications are filed awaiting the signed page 16 to come back to me. Marta is creating the welcome packs for our new fully accredited members.
5.30: Now is the time to switch off my computer and phone, and run before I remember I have forgotten something.
I also think about how poor head office are still working - and laugh to myself.
Website: Quidos
Over the past few months we have looked at ways to leverage the collective might and influence of the Home Inspector Forum membership to bring benefits that improve the working lives of loyal subscribers.
The HIF has the largest memberbase of industry professionals so it would be near negligent if this was not put to some effect.
From January 1 2009, subscribing members will be eligible to take-up exclusive offers on everything from accreditation membership to print supplies and logo design.
We know what you're thinking, but you'd be wrong: the HIF is not receiving any kickback or fee from participating companies.
The scheme is open to any company wishing to participate but in order to win approval the offer must be exclusive to HIF members and not available elsewhere - otherwise, what's the point?
Businesses wishing to join the scheme can send an enquiry here.
Work is underway to widen access for both companies and members to place jobs on the Work Instructions forum with a view to (hopefully) increasing the amount of work offered.
There will be a new submission form accessible off-site (members should seamlessly redirect) where subscribing members and authenticated companies may post work.
We are also considering how a "reputation" system might be developed to help both parties build trust when essentially working with strangers.
Earn £3.00 for every member you refer to the Home Inspector Forum who then signs-up to the subscription package through your own unique affiliate code within 120 days of your referral.
More information on getting started can be found here.
Not a Subscriber? - Find out more about our subscription package here.
As hinted in last month's newsletter, it would seem the spike in work instructions following the introduction of EPCs on rental properties in October was short-lived, at least if the HIF Work Instructions Index is anything to go by anyway.
Interesting to note, however, is that although instructions fell by a whopping 57.14%, compared to October (down from 67 to 27 recordable instructions - some couldn't be recorded due to lack of data), the average fee actually continued to rise.
When the HIF Work Index began three months ago, the average fee was £47.08; last month it was £54.07 - but will it stay there?
Even though domestic EPC work instructions fell last month, the number commercial quote requests in the forum still remains strong.
'I think so!', writes DEA Paul Walker on the forum:
I have had two "Panels" phone this week wanting me to join them to do EPCs for "their" HIPs.
First one was not happy that my min fee was £70 (I do not do VAT at this time); they were offering £40 inc VAT!
They then asked if I knew any DEAs that would do an EPC for that fee in my area. I said even if I did, I would NOT tell as I do NOT encourage such low fees!
The phone went down!
Second one: A HIP provider offering £44 inc VAT! After asking my min fee he said: "I thought it would be?!!", then straight away asked: "Would you do it for £55?"
I said yes as long as he gave me ALL their jobs in my area. He agreed!
He sounded sooooo desperate!
I was then passed to his "Operations Manager" who offered me one job nearly 2 hours away from me!
I declined. They sounded gutted.
In the course of the conversation I mentioned the end of FDM in April. I pointed out how the days of national panels sending DEAs 100's of miles when there are only 6/8 EPCs in that area, are over. He agreed and admitted that he was worried about that.
With the end of FDM in April, speed of producing the EPC is VERY important!
Estate agents will NOT put up with a slow service as THEY NEED the EPC along with the other 4 documents before they can market the property.
It is time to demand fair fees for a DEAs work!
In the run up to April I would think that the Panels will try to offer contracts to DEAs at low fees.
NOW IS (and has been for a while) the time to say NO to the panels. That is the ONLY way to get rid of the parasites living off the backs of DEAs. Refuse low fees now, try to last it out, and come April you will get fair fees.
Read the full thread Panels getting desperate?
If you operate a Panel and wish to make a response, send it via our contact form
That's it for this issue, and this year!
We hope you all have a... better Christmas, and certainly a much better new year - Good luck, it's much needed!
A subscription costs just £10 per year and includes all our additional services including:
* Advert-free boards
* Complete access to all public boards
* Access to the professional boards for all accredited members
* One free website using our custom-built Web-Builder tool
* Discounts on everything from business cards to legals
* Inclusion in the direct-to-public directory
* Access to post work instructions live to the forum
* ePerformance News - Industry newsletter
* 24-hour support and priority assistance with technical and billing issues
If you're not totally convinced, try the Forum today with a full 28-day money-back guarantee.
Don't forget to unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive future issues of ePerformance News and if you would like to submit an article for consideration - or have some feedback - contact us.
Number: 27
Value: £1,460.00
Average: £54.07