Hip assessors claim lack of work

With nearly 5,000 people now qualified as home inspectors, some are warning that there is too little work to go around.

Many signed up for training courses on the expectation of a regular supply of work.

Inspectors had hoped to earn £100 per home visit, but most are getting between £40 and £65.

Assessors visit homes to produce energy performance certificates, an integral part of the government's Home Information Pack (Hip) scheme.

Full introduction of Hips has been delayed following opposition from estate agents and some others.

Inflating expectations

Energy assessor Chris Evans blames training companies for inflating expectations of earnings for new recruits.

"They are bringing people into their training courses with claims of earnings of £65,000 to £100,000 a year," he said.

"For 99.9% of qualified assessors out there, this is so far removed from the truth."

10,000 people are expected to qualify as inspectors over the coming months.

David Thompson of the Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors says the amount of work available is negligible.

"It's quite clear... there are far too many people now qualified to become home inspectors and energy assessors compared to the government's statistics of what they need," he said.