Business Profile

PSG

The Property Search Group (PSG) started as a single office in 1997, providing a range of reports and searches to conveyancing professionals as part of the house buying process. 
It soon became apparent that there was a national demand for this service and PSG quickly expanded to cover the whole of England and Wales by opening franchised offices with local business owners. 
Susan Hawkins and Matthew Zambuni founded the Newbury and Basingstoke partnership of PSG in October 2001.  They established a local client base and by August 2007, when HIPs were introduced, they had supplied property searches to more than 9,000 local residents.
Matthew Zambuni said: “HIPs have led to major changes in our systems and customer base.  Additionally, we provide the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).  The EPC is a detailed assessment of the thermal performance of the property. 
“UK houses are responsible for around 30 per cent of all UK carbon emissions and this initiative is part of wider European legislation to help reduce emissions.
“Many people have now seen the A to G colour rating attached to the property particulars.  The five page EPC report in the Home Information Pack also makes recommendations for improvements to help cut fuel bills and carbon emissions”.
Susan Hawkins added: “All rental properties are now required to have an EPC for prospective tenants.  This can be of considerable help to tenants as two similar properties can have EPC’s, showing one costing £1,500 per annum to heat and light, and another costing £750 per annum.  This would certainly influence my choice of property.”
Since April 6, it has become increasingly important to use a local company to produce your HIP.  Properties cannot be marketed until a Ready to Market HIP is made available to your estate agent.  Initially there were concerns that this new legislation could delay the marketing of your home.  However, as PSG Newbury is locally based, it has found that from instruction to production of the Ready to Market HIP, it typically takes two to three days.  Susan Hawkins said: “We received one instruction last week by e-mail in the morning.  By midday we had collected the house keys from the estate agent, completed the EPC and produced the Ready to Market HIP the same evening.  If you carefully pick your estate agent and HIP provider there is no need to fear any delay in bringing your property to market.”
In the last six months, PSG has used its considerable experience in the residential market to create an additional company called PSG Energy.  PSG Energy concentrates on commercial properties that fall under the EPBD (Energy Performance for Buildings Directive).  EPBD specifies that all qualifying commercial buildings require an EPC when sold or let.  PSG has a fully qualified and accredited commercial energy team of 22 assessors, capable of covering commercial properties throughout England.  Commercial properties are quoted on a sliding scale to reflect size and complexity with prices starting from £250 plus VAT.  Most domestic EPCs cost £55 plus VAT.
PSG strives to offer a personal service that is backed by experience, expertise and attention to detail.
If you would like to make an enquiry about your domestic EPCs, commercial EPCs or HIPs, please contact PSG on (01256) 782821 or email susanhawkins@propertysearchgroup.co.uk