Tech Surveys Business Profile

It has been just over two years since our last business profile with Tech Surveys. We sat down once again with the ever formidable Mick Quick, joined by his new team member Rio, to catch up on their exciting expansion plans and explored why Tech Surveys continues to be the top choice for EPC’s.

very business has a story, but few are as unexpected as Mick Quick’s. A retired Royal Engineer with experience in the building merchant trade, Mick’s journey to founding one of Plymouth’s most trusted EPC and surveying companies was anything but straightforward.

Back in 2012, Mick launched Quicknitts, a small, hands-on venture where he designed and sold scarves through online marketplaces, car boot sales, and the busy stalls of Plymouth Market. It was a creative chapter that highlighted his determination and versatility, but as Mick soon discovered, new opportunities were just around the corner.

What began with yarn and craft fairs eventually led him back to his technical roots, and to the creation of Tech Surveys, a business built on precision, reliability, and a genuine commitment to helping clients understand their properties better.

An Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, shows how energy efficient a property is, rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides information on energy use, typical running costs, and recommendations for improving efficiency.

An EPC is a legal requirment for anyone selling, renting, or build a property or extension in the UK. This applies to homeowners putting their property on the market, landlords letting out residential or commercial buildings, and developers constructing new homes or conversions, which require a SAP EPC.

The certificate helps buyers and tenants understand a building’s energy performance before they commit, and ensures that all properties meet the minimum legal energy efficiency standards for renting. It is valid for ten years and must be given free of charge to new tenants or buyers before contracts are signed.

“I could literally talk about it all the time, I love my job.”

Since we last spoke with Mick, he has welcomed a new team member. After completing his degree and exploring his career options, Rio joined the company and has been busy ever since. He started by shadowing Mick, progressed to producing floor plans, and now handles full EPCs independently, covering much of the domestic side of the business. Speaking with Rio, it is clear how quickly he has gained expertise, and his contribution has been a key factor in Tech Surveys’ recent growth.

Mick understands that the world of EPCs can be highly competitive, and like any competitive business, something had to make Tech Surveys stand out. The short answer is that this ‘something’ is Mick himself. His deep understanding of the business and the impact it can have on customers is rare in the EPC industry. There are countless ways to describe the Tech Surveys team, both Mick and Rio, but the simplest is to highlight how helpful they are in every situation. Rio has learned through observation the importance of being kind and friendly to all customers, especially since they are often working in someone else’s home. What stands out most about Mick when talking to him is his willingness to give advice freely, asking nothing in return.

The story took another turn when Mick’s friend, Mike Mann of Plymouth Estates, stepped in with some timely advice. Mike encouraged him to join the Plymouth Business Network, a move that opened doors to new connections and opportunities. Eager to grow the business, Mick personally delivered hundreds of leaflets to estate agents across Plymouth and the South Hams. By offering reliable, high-quality EPC services at competitive rates, he quickly distinguished himself from other providers. As he began carrying out assessments for Plymouth Estates, word of his professionalism spread rapidly, and Tech Surveys started to gain real traction.

Tech Surveys has since evolved into a multifaceted enterprise. Beyond EPC assessments and floorplans for both residential and commercial properties, the company now provides Legionella Risk Assessments. Bringing in a professional to conduct these assessments ensures a high level of professionalism and removes any perception of bias. For those unfamiliar, Legionella disease, or Legionnaires’ disease, is a serious and potentially fatal lung infection caused by inhaling tiny droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. It is commonly associated with poorly maintained water systems such as air conditioning units, hot tubs, and plumbing. The infection can cause severe pneumonia-like symptoms and, in some cases, can be fatal if not treated promptly. These risk assessments must also be repeated whenever a tap or boiler is replaced in a domestic property, and in residential settings, a full assessment is recommended at least once a year. 

During a conversation with Mick, one story in particular illustrated the real-life importance of his work. A family had recently moved into a property and requested a Legionella risk assessment. As Mick examined the system, he identified an outdated setup in the attic and asked the homeowner to operate certain taps so he could fully map the water system. What he discovered under the header tank was shocking: dead and fully decomposed birds and rats floating in the water. This contaminated tank supplied the children’s bedroom basins, and as a result, each of them had already fallen seriously ill. Mick’s thorough inspection and quick thinking not only identified the hazard but also prevented what could have been an ongoing, dangerous exposure. Without his intervention, the problem might have gone unnoticed for months, potentially causing far more severe health consequences.

Stories like this underscore why professionalism, knowledge, and attention to detail are central to Tech Surveys’ approach. It is not simply about compliance or ticking boxes; it is about protecting clients, their families, and their properties. Mick and his team approach every job with the same level of care, whether it’s a small domestic EPC or a full commercial Legionella assessment. Rio, Mick’s protégé, has learned firsthand the importance of this approach, understanding that being thorough, approachable, and empathetic is just as crucial as technical skill. Together, the team has built a reputation for reliability,

expertise, and a level of customer care that continues to set Tech Surveys apart in a competitive industry.

Through its combination of technical excellence, real-world experience, and a genuine commitment to client safety, Tech Surveys has become much more than a service provider—it is a trusted partner in protecting homes, businesses, and communities across Plymouth and beyond.

Mick points out that many companies take advantage of the general lack of knowledge about EPCs, often charging inflated fees, sometimes up to £150 for a one-bedroom property. Mick actively opposes this practice and has deliberately kept Tech Surveys’ prices below the Plymouth area average. Rio hopes to be starting a sister company in the new year with the backing of Mick, that will be focusing on domestic properties thus being able to keep prices low.

“ I wake up every morning excited to do this job, I’ve only ever had that feeling with this and the Army” - Mick Quick

Combined with their expertise and a level of customer care that continues to set Tech Surveys apart in a competitive industry, the company has built a reputation for reliability and integrity.

Looking to the future, Mick and Rio are expanding into SAP EPCs, which cover houses or commercial spaces built post April 1st, 2008. This represents an exciting growth opportunity for the business, with Rio set to take the course necessary to lead this new area of work. Mick also reiterated a goal he first shared in October 2023: to grow the company to a point where he can step back and, like every business owner’s dream, allow Tech Surveys to operate self-sufficiently.

Through its combination of technical excellence, real-world experience, and a genuine commitment to client safety, Tech Surveys has become much more than a service provider, it is a trusted partner in protecting homes, businesses, and communities across Plymouth and beyond.

So the real question is: do you need an EPC? If you’re unsure, reach out to Mick or Rio using the contact information below to get clear guidance.