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A consumer watchdog has called for a review of the system
of Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates after a price
survey revealed huge differences in fees quoted by providers
- with some charging over 100pc more than others.
Landlords and homeowners are required by law to have a BER
certificate for their property so that potential renters or
buyers know how energy efficient it is. Householders are also
required to have a certificate if they want to apply for a
government grant to carry out insulation or other upgrading
works.
However, a survey by the Irish Independent has found
a huge difference in the fees charged by assessors - with
prices ranging from €150 to as much as €369.
The quotes were all for a three-bed semi-detached house in
the same county or city as the assessor is based. The lowest
quote came from Building Energy Rating Ireland in Waterford
city at €150. The highest quote was for €300 plus VAT (€369)
from O'Mahony Pike Architects in Cork city. The average was
€229.
Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumers'
Association of Ireland, said that, even accounting
for different business costs, it was hard to justify the enormous
gap in prices.
"You would expect a 10-15pc price gap between different people
... but a gap in excess of 100pc is absolutely outrageous.
It would be argued by some that this shows you have a competitive
marketplace, but it also sounds a warning to consumers that
they cannot and should not accept the first quotation they
get," he added.
"At the Consumers' Association we always favour choice. But
more and more we are looking at scenarios where there is a
need for an element of price control. Clearly, this service
is being overpriced to quite a number of people," said Mr
Jewell.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which
is responsible for registering assessors, said there was no
set fee for a BER.
However, it "strongly" recommends property owners shop around
for the best price possible.
There are 1,466 approved assessors registered with the authority.
Almost 270,000 BER assessments have been carried out since
the initiative was introduced in 2009 and BER certificates
must be submitted to a national database.
The SEAI carries out audits of assessors' work and around
10pc of certificates are audited each year. Assessors must
pass a national exam before they can be registered.
"The quality assurance programme includes periodic checks
- of varying intensity - on the work of the BER assessors.
That is in respect of their data collection and calculations
undertaken by them," said a spokeswoman.
"This comprises of desk verification audits, in addition
to more extensive site visits to homes where assessments have
been made.
"If we find any evidence of unsatisfactory quality or breaches
of the code of practice, this may lead to disciplinary action
up to and including the suspension of the assessor from the
scheme," she added.
Source - The Irish Independent
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