Meet Dave Holmes, Chiswick’s new energy performance professional.
After extensive research, Oliver Finn has appointed Dave Holmes of Holmes Inspections, to conduct its energy performance certification (EPC).
Holmes brings twenty years project management experience to the role, ten of which have been spent in the Chiswick property market.
An EPC shows the official energy efficiency rating of a property. Currently it only applies to properties for sale but from October all rental properties will also need to be certified. The certificate provides a rating for the building along with recommendations to improve energy performance.
Both Oliver Finn and Holmes Inspections put a high value on quality says Holmes: “In an industry which is largely unregulated it is refreshing to meet an estate agent who is swimming against the tide of typical estate agents and is equally committed to quality and service.”
Dave Holmes undertook a 6-month energy National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in order to qualify as an EPC inspector. However the industry is full of ‘fast-track’ assessors with as little as five days training. This situation arose when the Government introduced a ‘fast-track’ energy inspector course because of a shortage of qualified assessors. This inevitably led to a lowering of standards resulting in inadequately trained assessors.
“I have heard some horror stories of people spending as little as fifteen minutes in a building, sometimes not even checking upstairs. Homeowners should ask a few probing questions before letting strangers into their properties.”
The industry is undergoing enormous growth leading to the spread of national HIP providers which do not properly vet the energy inspectors they send to clients’ properties. Be cautious and follow this simple EPC checklist:
Check identification. Is the assessor personally known to the estate or lettings agent? Have they been appointed through a national HIP provider with no adequate vetting process in place?
Check the assessor is properly qualified. How much training has been completed by the assessor and do they hold an energy NVQ?
Look for a professional background. What roles did they do prior to becoming an energy inspector? Look for experience in health and safety, customer service, time management etc.
Check they have the right attitude. Professional manner, polite and courteous, honest and trustworthy?
Be vigilant and ensure anyone with access to your property has undergone a recent criminal record check. If in doubt, don’t allow entry into your property.
Contact Dave Holmes, Holmes Inspections: hips@harperfinn.co.uk
