ECIC is urging installers to take advantage of GDHIF in the next six months - but to ensure they have adequate cover and accreditations in place first.

Following news that the government’s Green Deal Home Improvement Fund has closed, the Electrical Contractors' Insurance Company (ECIC) is encouraging tradespeople to make sure they have adequate insurance cover and accreditation in place to take advantage of the additional work. Householders will be looking for tradespeople to complete the work on their homes, as they have just six months to redeem the vouchers and get the work finished.


The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund received over 21,683 applications worth £118m, with homeowners choosing to have energy efficiency improvements installed from a specific list, including gas condensing boilers, flat roof insulation, replacement warm air units, replacement storage heaters, flue gas heat recovery units and waste water heat recovery systems.


Phil Scarrett, sales and marketing director for ECIC, said: “Any tradesperson facing an increase in business, whether it’s come from a scheme such as this or simply through local marketing and word of mouth, must ensure they are realistic about any expected growth in turnover. For example, plumbers accredited under the Green Deal to fit gas condensing boilers could find the number of installations increase, growing their annual turnover considerably.


"If they have underestimated this when arranging their insurance, they could face a big hike in premium costs at renewal and a lump sum payment needed to cover the premium shortfall. Some may also face the issue of under-insurance which could leave them seriously out of pocket if a claim arises.


"Now is the time for those wanting to get in on the act to seek accreditation and sit down with their broker to ensure that the right level of covers are in place in response to the public’s renewed appetite for energy saving home improvement measures.”


Tradespeople and installers already registered with Green Deal can register for the GDHIF at schemeenquiries@gdcashback.gov.uk. Those not already registered for Green Deal can contact the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body (ORB) at schemeenquiries@gdcashback.gov.uk.