BER Training

shcoff

Hi

Could anybody recommend a good BER training (new and existing dwellings) provider in the south east?

I want to get the best training possible for the money. Maybe I'm wrong but I am a bit wary of the big one who have trained all kinds of people, seems like an assessor farm!

I am an engineer with a renewable technology company, while I dont plan on doing assessments, I do need to be able to advise homeowners on how our products will improve their BER and also to to help give their BER assessors the correct information.

I have a very good knowlege of the area I just want to clear up a few issues and get the rubber stamp if you know what I mean.

Thanks

muffler

As usual we would ask people to keep recommendations to PM only please.

Cheers.

shcoff

my apologies muffler, long time reader first time poster, knew I'd mess up!:o

muffler

shcoff wrote: »

my apologies muffler, long time reader first time poster, knew I'd mess up!:o

No problem. Its always better to take a minute and read the charter

clint_eastman

In relation to BER training 2 of our office have completed the course for new builds only so far. My question is does this allow us to carry out assessments on newly built houses that are offered for sale or rent on completion (i.e. purpose built for sale) or only on new houses that are to be occupied by the owner/person who received the planning. My confusion comes from the new legislation which basically calls for assessment of "existing dwellings offered for sale or rent", what constitutes existing? Sorry if this is going over old ground....

No6

If its new its new unless it was a new house which was previously exempt from having to get a BER cert (ie planning prior to 2007 & substantally complete before 30/06/08) and still hasnt been sold it now requires an assessment as an existing house. in which case if your two in the office were registered before the end of last year (i think) they can upgrade their registration to cover existing houses also. The legislation also states that its for dwelling when first offered for sale or rent or prior to first occupation (which covers one off's and self builds!!):D

brianmacl

clint_eastman wrote: »

My confusion comes from the new legislation which basically calls for assessment of "existing dwellings offered for sale or rent", what constitutes existing?.

The real confussion in this quote is "OFFERED for sale or rent". Under the Irish system people invite to treat when putting a house up for sale, they do not offer a property for sale or rent.

sinnerboy

clint_eastman wrote: »

My confusion comes from the new legislation which basically calls for assessment of "existing dwellings offered for sale or rent", what constitutes existing? Sorry if this is going over old ground....

SEI fuddle is responsible . They phased in BER with new houses requiring BER certs from about 2 years ago ( too lazy to check SI 666 2006 just now for exact date ) .

So assessors were licensed to assess and certify new properties . With the CT in full swing there was provision made for Provisional BER's - where houses were sold off plans ( seems a long time ago .......:( )

And so last Nov with the EU Jan 1 09 deadline looming - we got DEAP III , Appendix S - existing house methodologies .


We ( assessors ) were also invited to simply become DEA's - domestic energy assessors . The new / existing distinction DOES NOT EXIST NOW .

So..... an existing house can be one built last week or in 1965 .

A practical difference is that you can expect to have documentation for the one built last week . You may not need to physically see the house if the client states that the documents represent the real building . Better again if there is an architect - spec "sign off " Where "gaps" occur in that documentation - DEAP defaults apply .

This is just like in the case of the older building where for example , short of invasive destructive inspections , you can't tell how much insulation is in a wall cavity ( or the owner has no evidence that he pumped his cavities ) - DEAP defaults apply .

The not-visiting-the new-but assessing-off-plans-and-spec-docs troubles me I must say . For any construction professional accustomed to "signing-off" this is totally counter intuitive . Builders often don't follow plans carefully enough . So much of my professional energies are devoted to that task alone . I can see a lot of potential for legal action where a client gets a BER cert based on documents alone and not derived from a carefully assessed inspection of .... the actual building .

This is one reason i am turning down an average of 1 existing assessment per day - sometimes 2 since Jan 01 . I aim only to assess and certify buildings I know , literally , inside out

Matt Simis

sinnerboy, good write up, as someone new to BER its the SEI outdated info that is most confusing, parts of their site and trainers docs refer to the older distinction.. Im interested to hear you are seeing that much potential business. I know your tag says you are in "Meath/Dublin", where abouts specifically if you dont mind stating?

clint_eastman

I called SEI today and pretty much got your line sinnerboy so thank you for that info. Basically there is currently no new/existing issue and if you completed the course for new dwellings and registered with SEI you are permitted to carry out assessments on existing houses for sale or rent based on the following conditions:
1) you extend your registration via the SEI website to include existing dwellings
2) in extending this registration you agree to sit the exam when it becomes available later this year.

clear in my head now..... i think

Joey the lips

Hi Folks

I live in Duleek which borders North Dublin/Louth and of course is in meath

Can you tell me where these courses are done locally or give me a point of reference to find out more

Thanks

clint_eastman

If you go to the SEI website www.sei.ie you will find information on the BER training providers

Joey the lips

clint_eastman wrote: »

If you go to the SEI website www.sei.ie you will find information on the BER training providers

Thank you. Never thought of the obvious.

Number one

Anybody complete a course in Dublin city that they could recommend? I'm aware theres a list on the sei website but it doesn't rate the courses so if anybody could recommend one in which they found the standard of teaching good I'd appreciate it.