Tech Survey’s: Meet the Newest Member

Seven years later, we’re sitting back down with the formidable Mick Quick of Tech Surveys, whose enthusiasm and laugh could put a smile on anyone’s face. With him, his new protégé, the charismatic Elliott Griffiths. Together, they have very big plans for the business and their shared passion and values make for an exciting future.

Let’s delve into the fascinating journey of Mick Quick, a retired Royal Engineer who went from a career in the building merchant industry to becoming the owner of a thriving knitting business and ultimately establishing Tech Surveys, a highly regarded EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) company.

Back in 2012, Mick was at the dawn of an exciting venture known as Quick Knits. He embraced the art of knitting, crafting scarves, and offering them for sale through online marketplaces, bustling car boots and the stalls of Plymouth Market. But sometimes, life has a way of weaving unexpected opportunities.

Within this creative knitting period, Mick’s life took an intriguing twist when his brother, Ben, came into the picture. Ben was the proud owner of a plumbing and heating business with a strong commitment to renewable and eco-friendly energy solutions. Recognising Mick’s potential, Ben extended an offer that would redefine Mick’s path. He proposed to enrol Mick in a comprehensive training course that would equip him with the skills to conduct Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for properties - a crucial facet of the business.

Fast forward to 2015, and the narrative took an unforeseen turn. Ben made a pivotal call to Mick, who had ascended to the role of director within the company by this point. The startling news was that the business was being dissolved, and the reins of Tech Surveys were handed over to Mick, who suddenly found himself in the midst of a limited company. It was a juncture where he had to make a life-altering decision: Should he throw in the towel or take the plunge into this new endeavour? In classic fashion, Mick chose to dive headfirst into the uncharted waters.

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

 

The story unfolds further as Mick’s friend, Mike Mann of Plymouth Estates, comes to the rescue with sage advice. Mike recommended that Mick join the Plymouth Business Network, a platform that would help him expand his reach and establish essential connections. Determined to make his mark, Mick hit the streets, distributing hundreds of leaflets to the doorsteps of estate agents in Plymouth and South Hams. He not only offered top-notch EPC services but also did so at competitive rates, outshining other providers in the field. As he began conducting EPC assessments for Plymouth Estates, word began to spread like wildfire, and his journey to success gained momentum.

Tech Surveys has evolved into a multifaceted enterprise. Beyond EPC assessments and floorplans for both residential and commercial properties, the company extends its services to Legionella Risk Assessments. Legionnaires’ disease, a pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, can lurk in all sorts of man-made water systems. Under specific conditions - such as the right temperature, the presence of airborne water droplets, and the existence of contaminants like rust or sludge - Legionella can multiply, posing serious health risks. This underscores the critical importance of meticulous management for both large and small water systems, a duty that falls upon landlords, business owners, and anyone entrusted with the care of tenants and staff.

On average, an EPC assessment takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. However, properties with extensions or unique construction features may require additional time. With Tech Surveys being in such high demand, they emphasise the importance of booking well in advance and not waiting until the last minute.

Geographically speaking, Tech Surveys caters to a diverse range of clientele. For domestic inquiries, their services span across Plymouth, Liskeard, Looe, Tavistock, Ivybridge, South Brent, and Plymstock. But when it comes to commercial needs, Mick’s commitment knows no bounds, as he’s willing to journey to any corner of the UK to ensure that the requirements are met with the utmost professionalism and care. With this in mind, always one to seek improvement and expand his expertise, Mick saw an opportunity to enhance his skill set. He decided to undergo a course to attain a Commercial accreditation which many Surveyors in Plymouth don’t hold.

But now it’s time to meet Elliott Griffiths, a remarkable individual who embarked on this journey at the young age of 16, just after completing school. His adventure began with a week of work experience, and it’s a path he never anticipated taking. Unsure of where to do his work experience, Elliott’s uncle, Andy, reached out to his good friend Mick Quick, who kindly agreed to mentor Elliott for a week and introduce him to the world of EPCs. Elliott recalls;

“I really enjoyed it... surprisingly. You don’t expect to be doing EPC’s at 16, I didn’t even know what it was. The more I’m doing it the more I’m enjoying it”

Within the week, there were some ups and downs and a lot to get his head around. But even when the work experience week was over, Elliott still picked up shifts between his schooling as the best part of the job for him was the social aspect but the chance to represent the company.

“My goal is to help Mick succeed in his business.”

As soon as Elliott completed his GCSEs, he wasted no time and reached out to Mick, expressing his desire for a full-time position. Sadly, there aren’t apprenticeships readily available for EPCs. However, there is a course one can undertake to become qualified. Mick and Elliott explored their options, and they both visited Plymouth College to chart a path forward. The plan involves Elliott taking a Level-2 course in Customer Service for the first 15 months, followed by a Level-3 course in Business Administration for the following 15 months. Once he turns 17, he’ll start his driving lessons and tests. After obtaining his driver’s license, Elliott can enrol at the college to continue his studies which is all part of the grand design for Tech Surveys’ future.

Over the next five years, the plan is for Elliott to complete his studies and become proficient in conducting domestic EPCs and SAP EPCs.But what does that entail, you ask? Well, it’s all about new homes or properties undergoing transformation from commercial units to domestic dwellings. To ensure compliance with building regulations, a specific type of EPC called SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) EPC is required. Unlike a standard EPC, which relies on a software program to assess properties based on their year of construction, a SAP EPC scrutinizes every single detail. It talks about the type of plaster used, the specifics of plasterboards, insulation materials, lighting systems, glazing thickness, glazing filler, screed thickness, and so much more. It’s like examining every nook and cranny of a property with a magnifying glass. Each element is assigned a U-Value and a Kappa-Value, representing thermal resistance and thermal retention. Once all this data is fed into the system, it spits out precise recommendations to meet building regulations. This will enable Mick to dedicate more attention to the commercial side of the business.

The team also dreams of finding an office space where Mick, his wife Jasmine, and Elliott can work together.

Their next goal, once they’ve secured their base of operations, is to bring in an apprentice for Elliott and hire an admin assistant for the office to ease Jasmine’s workload.

Looking ahead over the next decade, Mick envisions splitting the business while keeping it under the same umbrella. Tech Surveys would be dedicated to serving Estate Agents, The Dockyard, SAP EPCs, and the commercial sector. Simultaneously, a new entity called Plymouth EPCs would focus on one-to-one domestic needs. Of course, every business owner’s dream is for their company to become self-sufficient, allowing Mick to take a well-deserved step back.

So, do you need an EPC? In short, yes. If you’re a landlord, your property must have a rating of E or higher to be rented out. For those looking to sell a property, you can advertise online for 28 days without an EPC as long as a survey has been commissioned, but one is required to complete the sale (and remember, an EPC is valid for 10 years). If you have any questions about EPCs and Legionella, don’t hesitate to reach out. Mick, Elliott, and the team are here to help!