Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Domestic and Non-Domestic Energy Assessor Training Courses

Do I need any previous experience or qualifications to undertake a DEA or NDEA course?

No previous experience is necessary for any of our courses however we would recommend that you have at least a basic ability to input data into a computer. Beyond this a basic knowledge of construction related topics is an advantage but not essential as all background information will be provided and elaborated on during the course.

Why is the Commercial (NDEA) Course for both Level 3 & Level 4?

From previous experience both our trainers and other energy assessors have found that in practice it is more useful to have a qualification in both Level 3 and Level 4 as the majority of buildings fall into the Level 4 category. This means that if you are only qualified to Level 3 you miss out on a large potential market. Also, the extra training involved to qualify to Level 4 is not as difficult as some may lead you to believe and is easily integrated into our courses.

What happens once I’ve finished the course?

Once you've finished either the Domestic or Commercial Course you will have passed the examination stage of your training which means you are almost fully qualified. However, in addition to the exam you will have to complete a portfolio of work. Although you may complete the majority of this during your training, it may be necessary for you to submit the final parts of this after the course.

You can be assured however that, once your completed portfolio is received by our trainers, it is usually marked within the same day and any feedback is provided. Due to our trainers having self claims status, they can sign off portfolio work without an external audit taking place and thereby speeding up the process by weeks. Once it has been signed off, our trainers will send off for your qualification certificate from City & Guilds. There have been cases where assessors have been fully qualified in as little as 3 weeks.

Can I start working straight away once I’m qualified?

In order to work as Domestic or Commercial Energy Assessor you will need to become accredited with a recognised accreditation scheme once you are qualified. Membership of many of these schemes is usually free and you will be given their details during your training. Once you are accredited (which can happen on the same day as you apply) you are able to produce and sign off EPC's.

What opportunities are there for work?

There are an estimated 200,000 commercial and 1.5 million domestic properties that are expected to require an EPC every year. With a market this size you can expect to find plenty of work if you market yourself properly and make the right contacts. There are also a number of companies that will allow you to join their panel and they will find work for you. Some panels are free to join (one example would be www.cesenergyassessors.co.uk) whilst others may charge you a joining fee. Most Energy Assessors work on a freelance or part-time basis but there are often full time fixed wage jobs on various job sites should you prefer.

Why are your course costs so low compared to others?

EPC Training manages to provide such cost effective training as we do not have many of the overheads and costly time delays that other providers incur. We do not charge you any administration fees and include exam, registration and assessment fees in our prices to ensure value for money and simplicity. The price you see is the price you pay. We only use venues when we are running a course and have minimum attendance requirements which mean we don’t waste time and money on expensive rents and uneconomical courses. We are so confident that we can train you for a lower price than any other like for like training provider that we will guarantee to beat any other prices. We will always endeavour to discount your course further if you book in numbers or continue to use us for further diplomas.

How do I pay for my course?

We make easy for you to pay for your course. We would ask for an initial deposit to reserve your place (which is refundable should the course not run or is re-arranged for an alternative date and time which is unsuitable for you). We would then take the remainder of the payment when you actually start the course. We accept cards, cheque and cash. You may also be entitled to funding for some or all of your course costs and we are happy to discuss this with you.

If you have any questions please feel free to call us on 08000 43 42 20 or e-mail us