BRE Home Inspector Certification Scheme

Following the BRE's initial draft proposal in October their proposal to provide a Home Inspector Certification Scheme is nearing formal Approval by the Secretary of State.

Chief Executive of Home Inspectors.co.uk, Stephen Callaghan said: "It is vital for those who have qualified as Home Inspectors to register with a Certification Scheme in order to practice and we are delighted that BRE have joined SAVA in entering the market as a Home Inspector Certification Scheme. Importantly, this provides our members with choice at a very important stage in the implementation of Home Information Packs (HIPs)."

BRE and SAVA are already progressing the applications of a number of prospective candidates to get the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and other "fit and proper person" checks done.

The Bre And Sava Schemes Compared

As we approach mandatory implementation of HIPs and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) other Certification Schemes are planning to come forward which will encourage further price-competition but in the meantime here is a simple price comparison based on current information available to us:

Bre Certification

Their application fee will be £150 plus VAT and the annual membership fee will be £250 plus VAT. When the scheme is finalised a full fee schedule will be published for report lodgement and other services. Their member application form will be sent to you when their application is formally approved by DCLG, at which stage your eligibility to become a member of the Scheme will be confirmed. Fees will become due at that point.

If you would like to join the BRE Home Inspectors Certification Scheme please email them at homeinspector@bre.co.uk with 'HI Certification Scheme Registration' in the subject line.

Sava Certification

The SAVA Certification Scheme requires you to pay two fees before you can join their scheme:

* An application fee of £150 + VAT (£176.25). This is a non-refundable fee that covers the cost of processing your application, including the criminal record and background checks
A registration fee of £250 + VAT (£293.75). This covers the cost of administering your licence for the first year, including monitoring, insurance and Lifelong Learning checks. If your application to join the SAVA Certification Scheme is unsuccessful, this fee will be refunded

If you qualified through an assessment centre other than SAVA, you will be required to pay a SAVA HCR Software licence fee of £250 + VAT (£293.75). If you qualified through SAVA, you will have already paid this fee. You will be required to pay an annual renewal fee. A report lodgement fee may also be required. For full details contact SAVA.

For licensed Home Inspectors who want to find out more about obtaining business through home inspectors.co.uk free consultancy and engage in the official dry-run please visit our business consultancy page