It has been a lovely bank holiday weekend with the royal wedding (yes I admit it I watched and cried - the bride looked beautiful) and the fact that the sun has been shining and April was a very busy month for work. But then back to work on tuesday, was feeling positive and happy (hoping that work was going to stay busy) did a few epcs in the morning and came back to upload them and book in two vendors who were selling through an estate agent I have known and worked with for the past 3 years.
And what a phone call that turned out to be - I was told in no uncertain terms with alot of swearing that "its a waste of money" "it'll be gone soon like the hips thingy" "I aint chucking any more money anyway". I was (very proud of myself) very polite and professional. I explained that the the regulations were in the process of changing ie 7 days not 28 days, that it was a legal requirement and that it would require doing. In the end though there was no getting through to the vendor so I have had to refer it back to the estate agents and will wait and see what happens.
I will admit that if I end up doing the epc on that particular property I will be slightly nervous as the gentleman was very aggressive.
On a positive side the estate agents were absolutely disgusted and were sending out a letter to the vendor explaining that the epc had to be done regardless of his views on the matter.
Anyway heres hoping that May turns into a very busy month for all of us involved in the housing industry.
Showing posts with label professional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label professional. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Moving forward
I have actually had a good week - middle one hasn't been fighting at playschool and eldest and youngest are behaving as well so with my mum hat on life hasn't been too bad.
I have finally managed to feel fully recovered from the virus that I caught in December and am back to my normal self re getting my housework and other chores done so the fact that I am normally "on top" of it all by 8am makes me (although admittedly obsessive) quite happy.
There was a survey that I filled in earlier this week which has been started by IDEA (an organisation for Energy Assessors - tries very hard but needs more members and more promotion because it is doing good work) which dealt with what changes could/should be made to the EPC and the industry. I always say it - we haven't got Christine Milne and England didn't organise this like Australia has done and the EPC has not been promoted as the new "granite worktop" as it is in New York so there is a lot that could be done to aid our industry and weed out the unprofessional DEAs. Hopefully this survey WILL begin the changes that are so desperately needed within the industry.
I am carrying out my first inventory today. I have done them previously when I worked as an estate agent but after researching them over the past few months it has suprised me that more emphasis is not placed upon them - they protect both landlord and tenant if done thoroughly, independantly and professionally. There should always be photographs included in the inventory and it should be very detailed! I am taking video camera, notebook and camera (date stamp included) to make sure that it is done to the very highest standard.
Although most people are now saying how many resolutions that they have already broken I saved myself the trouble by not having any this year although I do have a wish list (lets see if any of them have happened by the end of 2011):
1. Lose weight
2. Grow my client base due to standard of my work
3. Work with other DEAs to form a co-operative (provides better service than some of the panels)
4. See the promotion of the EPC by the Government
5. Watch the cowboy DEAs be removed.
6. Keep my family happy and healthy
Have a lovely weekend.
I have finally managed to feel fully recovered from the virus that I caught in December and am back to my normal self re getting my housework and other chores done so the fact that I am normally "on top" of it all by 8am makes me (although admittedly obsessive) quite happy.
There was a survey that I filled in earlier this week which has been started by IDEA (an organisation for Energy Assessors - tries very hard but needs more members and more promotion because it is doing good work) which dealt with what changes could/should be made to the EPC and the industry. I always say it - we haven't got Christine Milne and England didn't organise this like Australia has done and the EPC has not been promoted as the new "granite worktop" as it is in New York so there is a lot that could be done to aid our industry and weed out the unprofessional DEAs. Hopefully this survey WILL begin the changes that are so desperately needed within the industry.
I am carrying out my first inventory today. I have done them previously when I worked as an estate agent but after researching them over the past few months it has suprised me that more emphasis is not placed upon them - they protect both landlord and tenant if done thoroughly, independantly and professionally. There should always be photographs included in the inventory and it should be very detailed! I am taking video camera, notebook and camera (date stamp included) to make sure that it is done to the very highest standard.
Although most people are now saying how many resolutions that they have already broken I saved myself the trouble by not having any this year although I do have a wish list (lets see if any of them have happened by the end of 2011):
1. Lose weight
2. Grow my client base due to standard of my work
3. Work with other DEAs to form a co-operative (provides better service than some of the panels)
4. See the promotion of the EPC by the Government
5. Watch the cowboy DEAs be removed.
6. Keep my family happy and healthy
Have a lovely weekend.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Situation normal
I haven't written much this week as 1. have not had much to say, 2. have been that tired. Unfortunately my youngest has decided that sleep is not an option and for the past 6 months he has been getting me up 3-4 times a night. I have been shattered, but on the plus side, it seems like we have finally turned the corner as I have had 3 whole nights of undisturbed sleep! I feel like a new person.
Alot of DEAs that I know are now diversifying - one has become an estate agent, 2 or 3 are now doing cavity wall insulation, another one is selling PVs and a few more are doing inventories.
I already do floor plans, write ups and photos and after Christmas will be including video tours of properties in the services that I offer. I am also considering inventories but I want to check into that more thoroughly before I get involved. I have previously carried out inventories (back in 2005) but I want to check and see what current legislation is and if there are any necessary qualifications/insurances that you need. Obviously I would be an unbias person to carry out the inventory but I like to double check everything first before I start doing anything. I think that it is very necessary to make sure that everything you do is very professional and done to the highest possible standard.
Am having a peaceful (can you call it that?) weekend at home with the children so its nice, I've heard all about the latest school gossip - who has had a red/yellow card etc and who has kissed who and my 3yr old has informed me he is going to marry his girlfriend (that's what I call forward planning).
Off to walk the dogs in the fog. Have a lovely weekend.
Alot of DEAs that I know are now diversifying - one has become an estate agent, 2 or 3 are now doing cavity wall insulation, another one is selling PVs and a few more are doing inventories.
I already do floor plans, write ups and photos and after Christmas will be including video tours of properties in the services that I offer. I am also considering inventories but I want to check into that more thoroughly before I get involved. I have previously carried out inventories (back in 2005) but I want to check and see what current legislation is and if there are any necessary qualifications/insurances that you need. Obviously I would be an unbias person to carry out the inventory but I like to double check everything first before I start doing anything. I think that it is very necessary to make sure that everything you do is very professional and done to the highest possible standard.
Am having a peaceful (can you call it that?) weekend at home with the children so its nice, I've heard all about the latest school gossip - who has had a red/yellow card etc and who has kissed who and my 3yr old has informed me he is going to marry his girlfriend (that's what I call forward planning).
Off to walk the dogs in the fog. Have a lovely weekend.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Energy efficiency in the USA?
I was browsing through the internet again (not really I have a bee in my bonnet now about finding out what other countries are doing re EPCs) and found this blog: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2010/11/energy-efficiency-real-estates-next-granite-counter-top
" Often on the vanguard, Boston-based Conservation Services Group is working on an idea to make home efficiency more tangible. It is a surprisingly simple idea. One that is likely to leave a lot of people saying, ‘Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?’
You might say CSG is making energy efficiency the next granite kitchen counter top of the real estate business.
Through a $348,000 grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, CSG is working on a metric to describe a home’s energy efficiency value. When a homeowner lists a house for sale, the metric would be included in the multiple listing service (MLS), right along with the home’s price, number of bedrooms, square-footage and location. Suddenly, efficiency is tangible, something that can be quantified and can add or detract to home value.It’s not yet clear what that metric will look like. It might be a numerical score or a certification like the Energy Star label. Figuring that out is part of CSG’s task, as it puts in place a program for New York over the next two years. “You can imagine the pitfalls in establishing what this score would be,” said David Weitz, director of CSG’s Applied Building Science Division. “How do you present it in a way that is accessible to the greatest number of people. Unfortunately, there is no right answer.”
Well there is an answer - look at what the UK has had in place since 2007 and what Australia is putting into place in 2011. Talk to Elmhurst (based nr Lutterworth, Leicestershire) who are incredibly forward thinking and have been in the industry since the year dot. Or pick up a phone/write an email and talk to me (power of positive thinking - or wishful thinking).
I blogged today about the problems Australia is currently undergoing and the fact that training providers are still lurking all around the UK, the UK also don't know at the moment what will happen with the home energy advisors (please let it be open for DEAs first and only) and am now hoping that America does learn from what has happened here and in Australia and doesn't let training providers run riot, caps the amount of assessors there can be, promoted the energy assessment thoroughly and sets the fee to stop undercutting etc.
Energy efficency can be tangible, it is a selling point and it should be valued more than it is.
" Often on the vanguard, Boston-based Conservation Services Group is working on an idea to make home efficiency more tangible. It is a surprisingly simple idea. One that is likely to leave a lot of people saying, ‘Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?’
You might say CSG is making energy efficiency the next granite kitchen counter top of the real estate business.
Through a $348,000 grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, CSG is working on a metric to describe a home’s energy efficiency value. When a homeowner lists a house for sale, the metric would be included in the multiple listing service (MLS), right along with the home’s price, number of bedrooms, square-footage and location. Suddenly, efficiency is tangible, something that can be quantified and can add or detract to home value.It’s not yet clear what that metric will look like. It might be a numerical score or a certification like the Energy Star label. Figuring that out is part of CSG’s task, as it puts in place a program for New York over the next two years. “You can imagine the pitfalls in establishing what this score would be,” said David Weitz, director of CSG’s Applied Building Science Division. “How do you present it in a way that is accessible to the greatest number of people. Unfortunately, there is no right answer.”
Well there is an answer - look at what the UK has had in place since 2007 and what Australia is putting into place in 2011. Talk to Elmhurst (based nr Lutterworth, Leicestershire) who are incredibly forward thinking and have been in the industry since the year dot. Or pick up a phone/write an email and talk to me (power of positive thinking - or wishful thinking).
I blogged today about the problems Australia is currently undergoing and the fact that training providers are still lurking all around the UK, the UK also don't know at the moment what will happen with the home energy advisors (please let it be open for DEAs first and only) and am now hoping that America does learn from what has happened here and in Australia and doesn't let training providers run riot, caps the amount of assessors there can be, promoted the energy assessment thoroughly and sets the fee to stop undercutting etc.
Energy efficency can be tangible, it is a selling point and it should be valued more than it is.
Middlemen v's the self employed DEA
If I had to get an EPC for my property I must admit I would probably either go with the estate agent who I was selling/letting my property through or, as many people would, just google EPC.
The minute you put EPC into a search engine you get 1000s' of results - training providers (bah humbug) and the middlemen and further down the self employed DEA.
The middlemen advertise well - they have the funds for it and probably a marketing manager. Self employed DEAs don't have the flashy website or the high ranking on the page.
The middlemen are offering EPCs at £39. The DEAs are offering to quote you a price.
The middlemen have a place for you to order now. The DEAs want you to ring or email.
The middlemen can take card payment. The self employed DEA can often not accept card payment.
So which option do you choose? Looking at it like that its probably easier to chose the middleman.
BUT.....................
The middleman charges you VAT and you are put through to a call centre if you have any queries. The self employed DEA probably doesn't earn enough to be VAT registered and you speak directly with the professional DEA for any queries. The DEA contacts you directly and organises everything with you.
The price the self employed DEA quotes is a final figure no hidden extras, the middleman is charging you VAT.
In the long run, although it is probably an extra 10 minutes work you will get a better final price from the self employed DEA, a more customer focused service, professional, NO call centre and better local knowledge. So when you look at it like that it is better to spend that extra time and get the better service and better price from a local self employed DEA.
The minute you put EPC into a search engine you get 1000s' of results - training providers (bah humbug) and the middlemen and further down the self employed DEA.
The middlemen advertise well - they have the funds for it and probably a marketing manager. Self employed DEAs don't have the flashy website or the high ranking on the page.
The middlemen are offering EPCs at £39. The DEAs are offering to quote you a price.
The middlemen have a place for you to order now. The DEAs want you to ring or email.
The middlemen can take card payment. The self employed DEA can often not accept card payment.
So which option do you choose? Looking at it like that its probably easier to chose the middleman.
BUT.....................
The middleman charges you VAT and you are put through to a call centre if you have any queries. The self employed DEA probably doesn't earn enough to be VAT registered and you speak directly with the professional DEA for any queries. The DEA contacts you directly and organises everything with you.
The price the self employed DEA quotes is a final figure no hidden extras, the middleman is charging you VAT.
In the long run, although it is probably an extra 10 minutes work you will get a better final price from the self employed DEA, a more customer focused service, professional, NO call centre and better local knowledge. So when you look at it like that it is better to spend that extra time and get the better service and better price from a local self employed DEA.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)