New data from Rated People has found that the Green Homes Grant is fuelling demand for green home renovations covered by the scheme –
- Demand for wall and loft insulation has soared by 59% year on year
- Projects covered under the scheme as ‘secondary measures’ are also proving popular, with replacing windows and doors up by 12% and installing secondary glazing up by 4%
- Rated People is making it easier for homeowners to identify potential Green Deal Providers via easy-to-recognise badges on tradespeople’s business profiles
In addition, you’re probably aware that the Green Homes Grant has recently been extended and Rated People is welcoming this as great news for customers and businesses alike.
Adrienne Minster, CEO of Rated People said:
“The extension of the Green Homes Grant is great news for homeowners and businesses. Making our homes greener can be a daunting process, so giving consumers more time to properly research available options and plan works is a big incentive. This will also alleviate pressure on tradespeople, some of whom have been discouraged by the need to register and complete works in such a short space of time. This isn’t to say that the Green Homes Grant doesn’t still have its challenges, though.
Tradespeople need to first register with the government’s endorsed scheme as a certified installer before going on to register as a Green Homes Grant installer. It’s right that we place the utmost importance on ensuring tradespeople are qualified, but this registration process goes beyond simply having the necessary certifications to carry out eligible works and comes at an extra cost, which can present a big barrier for smaller businesses and sole traders, who might not have the scope or finances to go through the registration process. While it’s good that the scheme ensures work is carried out by qualified tradespeople, many small businesses may be left out in the cold with the current approach. We would urge the government to consider how to make the scheme more accessible to smaller businesses without compromising on quality, as many are well-qualified and ready to provide services covered under the Green Homes Grant.
This could also impact homeowners, as there may be fewer tradespeople available to complete renovations when they want them done, unless it is made easier for more skilled tradespeople to get involved and carry out work. Alongside this, the greatest challenge for consumers will be identifying tradespeople who are Green Homes Grant certified, especially when using conventional word of mouth techniques. We are working hard to make this process easier. As well as connecting homeowners with tradespeople they can trust to carry out high quality renovations, we are clearly signposting businesses that have registered with the government’s endorsed scheme. This will save both consumers and tradespeople a bit of time, and make it easier for both parties to take advantage of the Green Homes Grant.”
Green Homes Grant key points to be aware of –
- The voucher must be redeemed, and improvements must be completed by 31 March 2022.
- Vouchers will be valid for 3 months from the date they are issued or until 31 March 2022 (whichever is earlier). Homeowners can request a voucher extension at any time before their voucher expires, unless the scheme has been closed.
- The available measures are split into ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ measures. It is important to note that the voucher must be used for at least one primary measure in order for the homeowner to be able to get a secondary measure renovation.
- The grant for a secondary measure is capped at the value of the grant provided for the primary measure. (For example, if you receive a £500 voucher for a primary measure such as insulation, you will receive a maximum of £500 for a secondary measure, such as an energy efficient replacement door.)
- Homeowners can get quotes from tradespeople, but work should only start once a voucher application has been accepted.
