The Joint Venture between the two aims to be the market leader in panel management and the supply of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
From 1 June 2007 it will be compulsory for sellers to have a Home Information Pack (HIP) in place, which includes an EPC provided by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), before they can commence marketing their property.
Energy-assessors.com expects to have at least 870 individuals who are qualified and available to carry out EPCs from 1 June 2007. Spearheading this initiative will be 300 employed DEAs ,supported by 100 Home Inspectors together with 470 Chartered Surveyors who are exclusively available for the Joint Venture and are already employed by LSL and Connells.
Energy-assessors.com will have the capacity to supply in excess of 500,000 EPCs per annum compared to an expected total market requirement of circa 1.8m per annum. Both e.surv (part of LSL's surveying division) and Connells Survey & Valuation are able to ensure that energy-assessors.com has the flexibility to meet customers' needs throughout any fluctuations in demand arising from the peaks and troughs in the housing market. Both Joint Venture parties intend to grow the business beyond the 300 dedicated DEAs and have employment terms and training packages available for those wishing to join this new profession created by the government.
Energy-assessors.com has already secured contractual commitments to sell 150,000 EPCs and expects to win annual orders for more than 500,000. These volumes will ensure that DEAs employed by energy-assessors.com have the widest choice of jobs and the greatest opportunity to maximise their income.
Simon Embley, group chief executive of LSL Property Services, said: "This combination of forces will provide enough energy assessors to service almost one third of the entire market, which is reassuring for estate agents and the home-owning public. This should resolve market rumours that there will be a shortage of Energy Assessors on the 1 June this year."
Stephen Shipperley, group chief executive of Connells Group, added: "Energy-assessors.com is expected to become the market leader in providing training for anyone wishing to begin a new career as an Energy Assessor. Therefore we are confident we will become the market leader in providing both large and small scale HIP providers with a professional, timely and cost-effective means of delivering Energy Performance Certificates."
