A SCOTS company is reporting a significant surge in work following a decision to restructure its business to target the Government’s flagship Green Deal campaign.
Firstcall Home Assist report that it has had more than 500 Green Deal assessments booked in since the scheme was launched six weeks ago, cementing its drive to be Green Deal pioneers in Scotland.
The spike in activity is now set to see the firm’s turnover soar by up to £3 million, prompting an expansion into larger premises and the immediate increased recruitment of new staff to allow the Edinburgh-based company to fully service customers across Scotland.
The Green Deal allows homes or businesses to pay for energy-saving improvements, such as loft or cavity wall insulation, heating, draught proofing, double glazing and renewable energy technologies, through savings on their fuel bills.
As more families and companies are hit by the rising cost of gas and electricity, interest in the Green Deal is expected to only grown in the coming months.
Paul Greaves, managing director of Firstcall Home Assist, said they spotted very early that an opportunity existed to rapidly grow the business by seizing on the changing profile of the energy efficiency market in the UK.
He said: “We have set out on a clear strategy a year ago to be at the forefront of the Green Deal revolution in Scotland.
“We have invested more than £200,000 in training our existing surveyors and installers to take advantage of the Green Deal and we are currently recruiting additional staff to help with the demand as we provide full coverage throughout Scotland.
“We have also done considerable work to research and secure the best possible range of energy efficient appliances and materials, as well as finance options, to ensure the property owner or tenant is getting the optimum advice and access to measures.
“It means Firstcall Home Assist is the one stop shop when it comes to Green Deal as we can advise, assess and install all energy efficient improvements for property owners, landlords, social housing, councils and businesses.
“The significant surge in demand for assessments by homeowners since the end of January shows all our investment and training over the last year is now starting to pay off and we are leading the way as Green Deal pioneers in Scotland.”
Paul added that they are actively looking for larger premises in Edinburgh and hope to recruit 25 staff in the short term, to swell its workforce to 60.
Under Green Deal, homeowners and businesses can obtain access to 45 potential energy efficiency measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions and saving energy. There are no up-front costs involved and the scheme is not means-tested.
While other companies are looking to move into Green Deal operations, Firstcall Home Assist believes it has created a distinct position as specialists in providing energy efficient improvements to homes and businesses throughout Scotland by offering access to a range of payment options and Government grants that go beyond just Green Deal finance. These include its bespoke Barclays personal loan.
Paul added: “We have established Firstcall Home Assist to provide the access and means for every household and business to ensure their property can be properly insulted and kept warm.
“The Green Deal is very much up and running in Scotland and I’m delighted we are in pole position to both deliver its benefits and to provide opportunities to recruit new staff and enhanced business to our suppliers.”
The move into home energy efficiency complements the core business of Firstcall Home Assist, which was initially set up to deliver a fresh new approach to the home assistance sector by offering cheaper and better policies to property owners. It offers four policies for home emergency assistance – increasing in scale and cover from its Home Emergency to Complete Care package – with cover starting from £8.99/month.
Further information on Firstcall Home Assist can be found on the website www.firstcallhomeassist.co.uk or by calling 0844 241 2984.
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