We create them.  I'm a Domestic Energy Assessor licenced to produce EPCs so I actually do the inspections too.  I represent a father and son family company based in South Yorkshire.  So no we don't mark up our HIPs.  We give the same prices to Estate Agents and Homeowners alike.  The prices you hear in the media are not even close to reality. 

Don't even try the HIP jokes - I've heard them all I assure you ;)

Hi ---  Welcome ----No doubt you will have heard most of the jokes !

Seriously though, what do you charge for a full HIP pack, including the EPC ? There are various amounts being mentioned in general.

Prices certainly do vary - I've seen them as high as a grand for a basic HIP!  Most
agents seem to be charging between 300 and 500 pounds for  HIPs.

As
for us, assuming the property is freehold and is in the area we cover
we charge 245 ex VAT to estate agents and 295 the general public for
the complete HIP not including optional extras which may become popular
in my area (South Yorkshire) like coal mining searches which we supply
at cost for an extra 35 pounds.  

There are alot of local providers like me springing up
everywhere - google search should yield some possibilities in your
area.  

Hi,

Do you only cover South Yorkshire at the moment or are you able to cover other areas? I was thinking of adding these facilities to our portfolio, actually glad I didn't in one way. Are you confident that they are here to stay or are you concerned that a change in government will discard them once in power, as they have said?

Regards

Ian 

Hi Ian,

We principally cover South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire but we do cover nationwide too as we get our searches through PALI (a nationwide search company).  We have also in the past farmed out the energy certificates to local inspectors.  Our core business is good service at good prices with minimum hassle. 

Am I confident they're here to say?  Short answer is no.  Until they roll out 2 and 1 beds I won't be either.  Whichever way it goes however the EPC is here to stay as its a European Directive beyond the reach of our fickle government.  Even if the Tories do get in and scrap HIPs as they promise, they would still keep the EPC.  As an energy assessor first and foremost trained to produce this document I take some comfort in this. 

Its a volatile market with many larger companies close to collapse or takeover.  DEAs are leaving by the droves but more keep training to replace them.  By Xmas there will be nigh on 10k trained inspectors (theoretically) with 3.5K predicted to be needed for FULL residential rollout. Its going to be fun this year coming. 

HIPs and EPCs are a long term venture for us.  We're a small family company so we don't have the overheads of the big boys.  We don't have their prices either thankfully!

Are you a financial advisor Ian? 

Hi,

Mortgage broker, I deal with residential, equity release, commercial and the usual stuff. Investment advice no:-) I was seriously considering entering HIPs in a big way when they were first announced, but I attended a meeting that had a certain speaker from e conveyancing talking on Hip's....he ticked me off so much I made a decision then that I would not follow up on my initial decision. Initially it was to be all singing all dancing reports that would have meant really something, since the inception it has been watered down so much that it seems to be just another cost involved in the property chain. I understand that the EU will retain EPC's and this will still require inspectors like you, but I am glad that people like me didn't put all our eggs in one basket at the time when they were first thought of. So many people lost money during that time training for no reason. I have an agency with LMS at the moment, not because I want to but because I have to, as the inception of HIP's has once again favoured estate agents. Funny isn't it the least regulated part of the industry and they get even more opportunities to affect the market? It's a crazy world....well a crazy UK ;-)

Regards

Ian
 

Hi Ian,

Big orgs arn't the only ones at risk from government fickleness.   The Home Inspectors are disgruntled as the HCR is now voluntary.  The energy assessors are disgruntled when they announced the phased HIPs rollout with 2 and 1 bed properties nowhere in sight and mortgage payments piling up etc. 

Yes, it is a volatile market and a big risk for big orgs that have to invest in training and infrastructure etc.  Thankfully we're small enough to cope with any (reasonable) legislative changes that may occur. It is a cost in the property chain but its not a new cost - all the HIP docs bar the EPC already exist and have to be paid for, the person paying has just changed.  Arguably its swings and roundabouts though as most sellers are also buyers.  First time buyers benefit best of course like I said. 

Regarding watering down, you can still get all the documents now that you could before.  I assume you're referring to the HCR?  Its a voluntary document now as I said.  I'm sure you know most of this but I'm posting here for the public to read to better understand HIPs - you wouldn't believe some of the calls we get! 

Yes its a difficult time for some agents, particularly the ones the FSA get their teeth into for flouting the HIPs rules.  Some are being taken to task as we type.  Alot of agents are a bit worried now actually - some say the large pack providers will end up dictating how HIPs will work rather than the other way round.  Smaller companies like us are attuned to this and so are quite happy to take their business by catering to EA needs :)  Interesting times we live in.  Should settle down soon enough though. 

Hi,

All the points are valid and clear to understand, hopefully buyers and sellers will benefit from your explanation. I will have a look at your site tomorrow and maybe get in touch, you sound like someone who understands the market and can improvise as it develops.All the best to you.

Regards

Ian 

Good article,

Online estate agents, there are a couple of these types of company popping up here and there, I wonder what you think of them.

I have found one that I am going to give a try http://www.atkinsestatesonline.co.uk/

Looks like a good idea

Hi All

I have a close friend that is an estate agent but i still choose to sell my house privetly as i only takes common sense agent do not make all the checks that they lead you to believe that they do, rarely do they confirm that funds are available from prospective purchasers. There are a number of informative websites such as sellyourhousewithamouse.co.uk that offer a great deal of advice and more support that your local agent. Also adrian has lost sight of the fact that over 3/4 of all house bough each year in the uk are now first veiwed online.