Any surveyors dealing with EPCs?

[Maxf]

Pretty simple question - does anyone on here work with, or on, EPC (Energy Performance Certificates)?

There seems to be a huge demand for these currently, and I'm wondering how lucrative dealing with these is and whether there are any major hurdles (aside from going on a course and getting qualified).

I'm considering branching out and trying to make some money out of this environmental bullst!

[TimCrighton]

We put a lot of work to EPC contractors at the moment. We seem to be paying about £450+ VAT on average for a typical 2,000 sq ft office property.

[ss64ii]

Thr training is pretty costly also, the HA I work for has just put 2 people through, a 2 week residential course, pretty tough also.
What will probably happen is people will set up the training, charge the earth on the promise of plenty of work, then the sector gets flooded with trained surveyors all chasing the same work, bit like HIPS really.

[The Londoner]

or the gubberment will see sense, realise that it is just another throttling effect on the market and drop the whole stupid damn idea.

[Maxf]

ss64ii said:

Thr training is pretty costly also, the HA I work for has just put 2 people through, a 2 week residential course, pretty tough also.
What will probably happen is people will set up the training, charge the earth on the promise of plenty of work, then the sector gets flooded with trained surveyors all chasing the same work, bit like HIPS really.

All valid points. I suppose in my favour is that I'm already a Chartered Surveyor and have a good understanding of most things 'property'. The course was therefore going to run to a couple of grand, including the software - then an extra day if I wanted to work on public buildings.

I do wonder if the market will become flooded. Although, it might be that I could differentiate myself from others doing the same things.

Edited by Maxf on Monday 26th January 14:00

[The Londoner]

The flow seemes to have stopped now, but a couple of months ago literally every post was bringing an introductory letter, flyer or business card from companies offering epc surveys on commercial property. If someone else like an employer is stumping up the money for the training then go for it, but you may have already missed the bandwagon. If the market is not moving as now, then there will be no surveys to be done anyway. And as I posted above, the whole idea might be dropped if sense is seen.

[Sam_68]

The Londoner said:

The flow seemes to have stopped now, but a couple of months ago literally every post was bringing an introductory letter, flyer or business card from companies offering epc surveys on commercial property ...you may have already missed the bandwagon.

I'm still getting 2 or 3 a week, but I agree; you've probably missed the boat.

We've got established relationships with a couple of companies now, so unless they go bust or service declines, I can;t see us being in the market for anyone else for a long time.