The same applies as above but probably even more so. The market is encountering 2 general problems, oversupply and use of data collectors.

I have no experience in lighting design and with respect do not know how this could act as a pre-requsite to becoming a commercial energy assessor.

The number of CEAs continues to grow and reports from assessors is the situation they are experiencing is similar to what has been seen in the domestic market. Far too many assessors not enough work.

We have seen prices reduce over recent times which could be argued it is good news for the end consumer. However, in addition to over supply the use of data collectors is being utilised more and more.

Data collection in essence involves a non-qualified individual visiting the property requiring the Energy Performance Certificate and the ‘office based’ qualified individual entering the information gathered by the data collector.

Whilst this practice was being employed quite infrequently and mainly in the social housing sector where many properties are very similar to each other, the expansion of this practice of collecting and utilising the data in the commercial field has been rising by some businesses attempting to lower fees, expand profit margins and gain market share.

This is obviously a practice which qualified individuals disagree with due to lowering of fees and the quality of the data and report produced.

Speak to people and businesses who require CEPCs and measure your reponse. The key really is research, research, research which is obviously what you are doing. Be good to hear what you decide.

Any comments greatly appreciated.

The latest figures I have seen for accredited CEA’s is 685 as at 4/11/08 and I would guestimate this will be around 100 higher by the end of December. Assuming 785 are available then this would mean there are around 42% more people available than even the uppermost number CLG believed were needed at launch!

Obviously these are only overall numbers and it may well be that in your area there are negligable numbers of accredited – I know that in mid 0ctober that CIBSE accounted for around half of all accredited CEA’s at the time only had 3 Accredited assessors based in Norfolk, Suffolk and Canbridgeshire combined.

The other thing to bear in mind is that just like the domestic property market the commercial property market is suffering. Big holes in the high street are already beginning to appear – Woolworth (800 units) will be gone by early January, MFI (100 units) are done for, Whittards (120 units) are almost certain to go. Many other mid sized operators could easily start to fold from Christmas Day when many retail rents fall due. Clearly many units will go to other retailers but some will not with the continuing growth in Internet retailing the demand for retail premises is shrinking. Obviously other areas of the commercial market are under presure because of the downturn.

While the foregoing is gloomy there will always be sales and clearly someone has to do the work and there is no reason it should not go to you providing you market your services well.

Whatever you decide good luck.

John

I appreciate all you say, but as a DEA I am receiving a constant flow of calls from corporate clients that can not locate a CEA some of my clients are solicitors whom have many shops & non-res buildings.

I have looked into taking the next step. After reading your comments I am a tad confused. If I am receiving a good volume of enquiries would this not demonstrate a strong demand in my area?

I bid you well

On the “Communities” website under Planning and Building frequently asked questions they state that between 300 and 550 CEA’s would be needed needed and that on October 1st 471 were accredited.

Information seems very muddled from “Communities” as a letter from them on October 31st states that 751 were accredited on October 1st – some 280 more than already claimed. The same letter told me that 1,250 were in training.

Assuming the 751 is correct and the 1,250 actually go on and become accredited then we shall be in the situation where almost 4 times the higher number (550) suggested by the CLG as being needed will be available to the market.

As far as the amount of work likely to be available to assessors there seems to be no definate knowledge. STROMA’s website says 220,000 per annum. CIBSE estimate 10,000 per month on their site. CLG’s press office, at the end of September, told the Telegraph, 50,000 per annum.

If 2,000 become accredited and only 50,000 assessments are undertaken then we have the situation where the average CEA is doing 1 job every 14 days – hardly a big money earner.

Seems to me we have a similar situation to the Domestic assessors i.e. to many assessors – to little work.

If by “officially” you mean on CLG’s website then I do not think so. That being said I know at the end of September their press office told Roya Nikkah of the Telegraph that 550 were the number of assessors needed.

Just out of interest after the 31st of October you will no longer be able to phone the EPBD Helpline with any questions you may have although they will continue to be contactable by e-mail for a further 6 months.

Yes the CEA market seems to be changing rapidly and the numbers growing at an alarming rate. One can only hope that it does not go the same way as we have seen in the domestic market. Though there are indicators that do point to the commercial assessors field following suit.

Thanks John for returning with your research on the CEA numbers. It is impressive you have been able to gain figures from the CLG. Have these figures been published officially as yet?

This leaves us with the potential in the very near future to have, assuming CLG’s estimate of numbers needed is accurate, a glut of CEA’s – CIBSE alone have a further 135 in training for Levels 3,4 & 5.

Interestingly the original reasoning for refusing my request originally was “..the sum of the numberof people accredited, applying for accredition and in training exceeded the approximare number estimated to be needed in the current market climate” If this were the case way back in June then the CLG’s assertion that only 36 CEA’s were qualified in Sepember and their lack of knowledge of numbers in training then I’m puzzled by their original refusal!