EPC - how many of you are doing the course?

[Glen Powell]

I got the first part of that .... the second bit went over my head ???

Its not up to us to provide the EPC it is up to the client so if they get one EPC before they get all their quotes then we do nothing, oops silly of me is I have probably just stopped a lot of people browsing around from worrying about EPC as they thought it was going to be a pain in the ---.

My opinion is ask every client if they have got an EPC, if not, Call me back when you do. This would put the responsibility back on the client and we spend nothing. the problem is not all installation companies read this forum so could not agree to such a practice.

 

[Eco Deal]

No d no fee ??

 

[Eco Deal]

No D, no fee: EPC partnership provides support for UK solar installers - Solar Power Portal

 

[babba]

Its not up to us to provide the EPC it is up to the client so if they get one EPC before they get all their quotes then we do nothing, oops silly of me is I have probably just stopped a lot of people browsing around from worrying about EPC as they thought it was going to be a pain in the ---.

My opinion is ask every client if they have got an EPC, if not, Call me back when you do. This would put the responsibility back on the client and we spend nothing. the problem is not all installation companies read this forum so could not agree to such a practice.

I hope every company has that attitude... lots of work for me..

 

[Glen Powell]

I hope every company has that attitude... lots of work for me..

Do I take it you are saying if 5 solar companies are competing then 5 seperate EPC inspections should be done, that is 5 initial surveys plus 5 EPC surveys, don't you think the client themselves would find this a bit of an inconvenience.

As per the call me back when you do? I think that is obviously the blunt version, and if someone upset our staff to that level by all means you can have that custom

 

[pvman]

My opinion is ask every client if they have got an EPC, if not, Call me back when you do. This would put the responsibility back on the client and we spend nothing. the problem is not all installation companies read this forum so could not agree to such a practice.[/QUOTE]

Another way of looking at it...
customer rings: hi I'd like to have a site survey for pv, do you provide EPCs?
installer: no, ring me back when you've got a EPC
customer rings another installer with the same question and the second installer says "no problem I'll sort out the EPCs survey while I carry out the pv survey"
Who will get the work?

 

[Coleman]

My opinion is ask every client if they have got an EPC, if not, Call me back when you do. This would put the responsibility back on the client and we spend nothing. the problem is not all installation companies read this forum so could not agree to such a practice.

Another way of looking at it...
customer rings: hi I'd like to have a site survey for pv, do you provide EPCs?
installer: no, ring me back when you've got a EPC
customer rings another installer with the same question and the second installer says "no problem I'll sort out the EPCs survey while I carry out the pv survey"
Who will get the work?[/QUOTE]
I totally agree! This is true pvman

 

[Glen Powell]

Not a problem, if we all want to pay the same person 3 times for the same work so be it,

 

[Glen Powell]

Oh just read that again, you are going to do the EPC at the same time as the survey, this means you put each of your surveyors on the course, OK, because unlike MCS I am sure the EPC is on the individual assessor. Not that I have paid that much attention to the EPC because I do not really see it to be a stumbling block.

 

[SolarRoofSols]

the no D no fee sounds good in theory but I can see many houses needing more than just loft/wall insulation!

For those of you outsourcing, are you taking a fee from the customer to cover the cost of getting someone to do the ECP and refunding them if they buy with you or are you taking the hit yourself?

I can see us being more out of pocket:

customers deciding it's too much hassle to get to a D once they have had the assessment + not bothering to order solar = me wasting more time and money...grrr!

I had better talk nicely to some local assessors!

 

[SolarCity]

I've been arguing the same thing elsewhere. No 'D', no fee is okay and it does help.

However, it doesn't solve the problem totally. I expect there will be a lot more failed quotes from ALL firms over this next year - what about the ones that DO get a 'D' rating yet the customer, understandably, doesn't want to wait 15 years to get a return on his investment. That leaves the installer wasting his time and his money.

 

[SRE]

After enough U turns to make me dizzy I'm going to outsource. I was just about to sign for online training when I discovered all they were doing was sending me a load of paperwork through and there wasn't any tutor support. I've bought the DEA handbook to remind me what I need to get the house to D rating and once I've taken a deposit from the customer and the cooling off period has been completed I'll order an EPC from a local guy. I'll be including the extra cost into the quote and I'll be charging admin if there's a cancellation after the cooling off period. I think it's going to be a longer lead in time for installations though, which might conflict with the never ending FiT changes.

 

[holmes571]

Looks like my employer is trying to put me on an EPC course as we do cavity, solid wall insulation, solar pv and thermal and majority of the work is larger contracts eg 50 houses in same street having pv fitted and such like and as we are looking towards Green Deal as well I think it will be essential. The problem I have is the difference is the courses on offer, these range from £399 for online study up to £2000 for a six day course including some late finishes. Was wondering if anyone could recommend the course that they did.

Many thanks

 

[SRE]

If you're employer is paying then go for the 6 day course - sounds like MCS renewables thought it was a good course and they do the portfolio of 5 properties that you need as you go along. I wouldn't recommend the online course unless you've done the DEA course or had extensive experience in the energy efficiency industry. I don't mean installing but providing advice for householders. There was very little support from any of the online ones I talked to.

 

[Mattty]

Plus there will likely be extra costs on the online courses. Do they include the exam fee (up to £90) or how many times can you have your portfolio of evidence checked without incurring extra charges.

I would suggest using a trainer who is also an accreditation scheme.