HIPs to revolutionise surveying profession

Home Information Packs (HIPs) will not only improve the current home buying and selling process for all involved but they are set to revolutionise the surveying profession, according to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).

While residential chartered surveyors looked to be becoming a scarce breed, with an average age of 58, the number of new trainees, initially attracted by the home inspector and Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) qualifications has the opportunity to revolutionise the profession, attracting a wide range of new applicants.

Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General, AHIPP said: “There was a very real risk that a shortage of residential chartered surveyors could emerge over the next ten years.”

Without an influx of new blood into the profession, consumers could be faced with vast increases in the cost of surveying services and long turnaround times for reports and mortgage valuations, resulting in a further slowing in the housing market, and a significant increase in cost of entry into the market, particularly for first time buyers.”

The home inspector career has attracted a range of new people, including university graduates, all from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and including a good mix of both males and females, offering a realistic, flexible career opportunity for mothers or fathers returning to work and people looking for a change in career. In addition, the profession offers clear career progression, mapping out a realistic career path.

“Once the HCR is mandated for use in every pack, something for which we will be strongly lobbying, the pressure on the residential surveyor community will be significantly eased. Existing surveyors wishing to expand their careers will be able to do so relatively easily by qualifying as home inspectors,” concludes Broadhead.