Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Becoming a part time BER assessor

  • 07-02-2016 09:59PM
    #1
    VonLuck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,458 ✭✭✭


    I was thinking of becoming a part time BER assessor. I don't expect to make much money from it but I have a background in the construction industry and thought it would be an interesting side business.

    I was just wondering if it is worthwhile venture right now. I hear a lot of people saying that almost anyone can become an assessor and that the market is flooded. Is this true?


Comments

  • #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 42,442 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    VonLuck wrote: »
    I was thinking of becoming a part time BER assessor. I don't expect to make much money from it but I have a background in the construction industry and thought it would be an interesting side business.

    I was just wondering if it is worthwhile venture right now. I hear a lot of people saying that almost anyone can become an assessor and that the market is flooded. Is this true?

    Once yo do the test, pass the test and then register yourself you can be a BER Assessor. You need to pay the seai, PI Insurance, yearly tax returns and pray that you get enough jobs to cover the yearly costs associated with it.

    getting a BER for a 3 bed semi can cost the home owner as little as €130 here in Dublin, so you minus the vat, the seai registration fee for the assessment and your money is about €70. Out of that €70 you pay your overheads, so travel, taxes etc

    Just do the sums and make sure it's viable.


  • #3
    VonLuck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,458 ✭✭✭VonLuck


    kceire wrote: »
    Once yo do the test, pass the test and then register yourself you can be a BER Assessor. You need to pay the seai, PI Insurance, yearly tax returns and pray that you get enough jobs to cover the yearly costs associated with it.

    getting a BER for a 3 bed semi can cost the home owner as little as €130 here in Dublin, so you minus the vat, the seai registration fee for the assessment and your money is about €70. Out of that €70 you pay your overheads, so travel, taxes etc

    Just do the sums and make sure it's viable.

    I'm not too concerned about how much I could make, I am more worried about there being too many assessors out there and that it will be very difficult to actually find properties to assess.


  • #4
    Metric Tensor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,727 ✭✭✭Metric Tensor


    In my opinion it's not worth your time in any way at all:

    1. The market is flooded because so many people saw it as a way of making a quick buck.

    2. Because the market is flooded the pricing in many places is a race to the bottom and as far as I can see is only sustainable if you are doing a huge number of assessments regularly (if at all).

    3. Because there were very little entry requirements and the quality of many assessors (particularly early on) was poor the administrators of the scheme have tried to close the gate after the horse has bolted by being overly confrontational and challenging in terms of audits, PI requirements, testing, etc.

    My advice is that Domestic BER audits may supplement your income but when balanced against the hassle they won't be worth it.

    Alternatively if you are just interested in Energy Efficiency and you see it as a hobby do a PHPP or Passivhaus course instead.


Advertisement