Issue Home Condition Surveys

Following a successful pilot we are now able to extend the Home Condition Survey (HCS) to all registered Home Inspectors.

The SAVA HCS has been designed for buyers but closely follows the same inspection and reporting principles as the Home Condition Report. The biggest differences are that it does not contain an energy report (most properties should already have an EPC as part of the HIP) and there are revised terms of engagement. Although the SAVA HCS is a separate scheme in its own right, having a different Code of Practice and Terms of Engagement, membership is exclusive to Members of the SAVA Certification Scheme.

The main benefits of the HCS for homeowners are:

A jargon free and easy to understand inspection and report with the 1, 2, 3 condition ratings
The ability to include photographs
The surveyors are part of a Quality Assurance monitoring scheme which also provides an escalation process for complaints
A fast turnaround time

The main benefits for the Home Inspector joining the HCS Scheme are:

The opportunity to use the Home Inspector Qualification
That since the HCS is very similar to the HCR and no additional training is required
Generation of another income stream
That the Scheme is separate from any CLG legislation – entirely market driven!

As you may be aware, the pilot ran from November to April with a limited number of participants. We are pleased with the results from the pilot. The report format was well received and surveyors have been able to sell their services.

We also learnt that the HCS will operate in a local market. It will be your responsibility to set the prices for the report and obtain instructions but we will be looking at ways to help you achieve this. There is no quick sales and marketing solution, but we hope over time to build up a meaningful toolkit which will help you win customers. In the meantime, we will continue with the simple product flyer which we produced for the pilot. It has done its job pretty well. Unfortunately neither SAVA nor the SAVA BX will provide a route to market and will not obtain any instructions for you at the present time.

In order to remain part of the HCS Scheme you must maintain full, active Membership of the SAVA Certification Scheme for Home Inspectors. Involvement in the Scheme is purely voluntary and you may withdraw if you so wish at any time.

In order to join the HCS Scheme you will need to read, sign and return the following documents:

You will then be able to access the HCS software via the NES one system. Please return your signed Agreement to:

Registration Services
SAVA Certification Scheme
National Energy Services
The National Energy Centre
Milton Keynes
MK5 8NA

The SAVA Certification Scheme offers free PI and PL cover for all HCRs and HCSs, if you wish to use this policy please sign and return the consent form to the address above.

PII Consent Form

We have designed simple marketing material for the pilot which we will continue to offer while we work with a marketing consultancy to develop a sales and marketing tool kit. The leaflet is available to purchase at cost with your logo and contact details incorporated. This is charged at approximately £320 for 1000 leaflets plus a £30 design fee (both sums plus VAT). Alternatively we can help to design the leaflet for you to get printed yourself. After you have returned your Membership Agreement please email anuska.jethra@nesltd.co.uk who will be able to help you set up the leaflet.

We hope you will decide to join the Scheme, and look forward to receiving your signed agreement shortly.

After you join, you might consider attending our HCS Masterclass - it will also contribute to your CPD requirements.