EPC Assessor: How To Get An Energy Performance Certificate

Get a new EPC from an accredited assessor

From 2025, all new residential tenancies in England and Wales are expected to require an EPC rating of at least C. This shift makes finding a qualified EPC assessor more important than ever for landlords and property owners looking to stay compliant and avoid penalties.

An EPC assessor—whether a domestic energy assessor or non-domestic energy assessor—visits your property, gathers detailed data about its construction and systems, and produces a legally valid energy performance certificate. This document rates your building from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and remains valid for ten years.

Here’s a quick overview of the process:

An EPC assessment is required when selling, renting, or constructing properties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Mortgage lenders also frequently request them.
The typical property assessment takes 30–60 minutes, with the energy certificate lodged on the official register within 24–72 hours.
Once lodged, the assessor submits your EPC to the government register and provides a digital copy (usually PDF) that you, estate agents, or tenants can download or print.
Before booking a new assessment, check whether your property already has an existing energy certificate. If it’s less than ten years old and still reflects the property’s current state, you can re-use it.
The full EPC includes recommendations for improving energy efficiency, with estimated costs and potential rating improvements.

Find an accredited EPC assessor

Finding the right assessor is straightforward if you know where to look. The key is ensuring they’re properly registered and qualified for your building type.

Use the official government EPC registers for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You can search by postcode or property address to find local assessors in your area.
Only assessors who are members of a recognised accreditation scheme can legally produce EPCs. Approved schemes include Elmhurst, ECMK, Quidos, Sterling Accreditation, and CIBSE Certification.
Domestic and non-domestic EPCs require different qualifications. A domestic energy assessor handles homes and flats, while commercial and public building assessments need a non-domestic energy assessor with level 4 qualifications.
Some comparison sites and directories list EPC assessors, but always verify accreditation against the official register before booking.
Many accredited assessors offer online booking, instant quotes, and evening or weekend appointments to fit around your schedule.

The quickest way to assessor find a qualified professional is through the government’s official register—enter your postcode and you’ll see contact details for local assessors within seconds.

What you need to know before booking an EPC assessment

Before you pick up the phone or fill in an online form, there are a few practical considerations worth checking.

First, search the official register to see if your property already has a valid EPC. Check the certificate number and expiry date—if it’s still current and nothing major has changed, you may not need a new one.
Major improvements since the last assessment (new boiler, added insulation, replacement windows, extensions, solar panels) often justify commissioning a new energy certificate to capture a better EPC rating.
Legal triggers for needing a current EPC include marketing a property for sale or rent, completing a new-build, or making significant modifications to a building.
In most cases, existing properties cannot “fail” an EPC. You simply receive a rating. However, landlords must currently achieve at least band E for rental properties, with band C requirements expected soon under updated MEES regulations.
Every EPC includes recommendations with indicative cost bands and potential improvements. These can help you plan upgrades, access grants, or secure green finance products.

Get help choosing the right EPC assessor

If you’re unsure about the rules or which type of assessment your property needs, support is available.

Contact the relevant government department for guidance. In England, that’s the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (formerly DLUHC). Similar departments exist for Wales and Northern Ireland.
Your local government housing or environmental health team can clarify whether a property needs an EPC and which assessment type applies.
Before booking, confirm the assessor’s accreditation number, insurance cover, and the building types they’re qualified to assess.
Reputable assessors provide clear pricing, availability, and a straightforward explanation of what happens during the visit. If someone can’t answer basic questions, keep looking.

If you are unhappy with your EPC assessment

Sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how to handle disputes with your energy assessor:

Raise concerns directly with the EPC assessor first. Point to specific errors—perhaps they missed cavity wall insulation, recorded incorrect window types, or overlooked a new heating system.
If the assessor doesn’t resolve the issue, escalate your complaint to their accreditation scheme. Contact details appear on the EPC document itself.
Accreditation schemes investigate complaints and may request evidence: photos, invoices, previous EPCs, or building control certificates. They can instruct the assessor to amend or re-lodge the certificate if errors are confirmed.
In serious cases, schemes can suspend or remove an assessor from their register, protecting consumers and maintaining professional standards across the industry.

What an EPC assessor actually does on site

Understanding what happens during the visit helps you prepare and ensures nothing gets missed. Here’s the typical process from arrival to completion.

The accredited assessor inspects the external and internal fabric of your building. They’ll examine walls, roof, floors, windows, and doors to determine construction type and insulation levels.
They record details of your heating and hot water systems—boilers, heat pumps, radiators, thermostatic controls—plus lighting types and any renewable technologies like solar PV panels.
Measurements of floor area and room layout are taken or confirmed. Some assessors use existing floor plans; others create a quick sketch during the visit.
For a typical 2–3 bedroom house, the visit usually takes 30–60 minutes. Larger or more complex buildings, including business property or other properties with unusual features, take longer.
After the visit, the assessor enters collected data into approved software (RdSAP for domestic, SBEM for commercial) to calculate the energy performance rating and generate your EPC report.

The assessor may ask questions about improvements you’ve made. Having invoices or completion certificates ready for items like loft insulation, new windows, or air conditioning systems helps ensure everything is accurately recorded.

Typical EPC assessor costs and how pricing works

EPC assessment costs vary based on several factors. Here’s what you can expect in 2024–2025:

Property TypeTypical Cost RangeSmall flat£60–£90Typical 2–3 bed house£70–£110Large house or complex layout£100–£150+Non-domestic (commercial)£150–£500+

Factors that affect pricing include:

Location: London and the South East generally charge higher rates than other regions.
Property size and complexity: A straightforward semi-detached house costs less than a sprawling period property with multiple extensions.
Urgency: Same-day or next-day assessments often carry premium fees.
What’s included: Check whether quotes cover travel, VAT, and re-lodgement if errors are found.

Get at least three quotes from fully accredited assessors before booking. Remember that potential fines for non-compliance—such as marketing a rental without a valid EPC—can reach £5,000, making the cost of assessment a sensible investment.

Can estate agents or other trades do your EPC?

A common question from homeowners and landlords is whether their estate agent or other tradespeople can handle the EPC.

Estate agents often arrange EPCs on behalf of sellers and landlords as part of their service. However, they typically add commission or admin fees on top of the assessor’s charge.
Booking an accredited energy assessor directly usually saves money and gives you direct contact with the person conducting the survey.
Electricians, gas engineers, or general surveyors cannot issue an EPC unless they’ve completed specific training courses, passed the required qualifications, and joined an accreditation scheme.
Only EPCs lodged by accredited assessors on the national register are legally valid for property transactions. Always verify this before accepting any certificate.

If you contact an assessor directly rather than going through an intermediary, you’ll often get faster turnaround and clearer communication about what the assessment involves.

How to choose the right EPC assessor

With thousands of accredited assessors across the UK, narrowing down your options takes a bit of homework. Use this checklist to find the right fit:

Verify accreditation: Check the assessor’s accreditation number on the government register. Confirm they’re currently active and qualified for your building type (domestic or non-domestic).
Read reviews: Look for independent customer reviews on Google, Trustpilot, or industry directories. For complex properties, ask for examples of similar previous work.
Confirm timing: Ask how quickly they can visit, when they expect to lodge the EPC, and how you’ll receive the certificate—whether via email link, PDF, or printed copy.
Prepare evidence: Ask what documentation helps improve your rating. Useful items include loft photos, invoices for new boilers or insulation, window specifications, and any building control completion certificates.
Check communication: A good assessor should be responsive via telephone or email, explain the process clearly, and answer questions without jargon.

Whether you’re a landlord preparing for stricter MEES requirements, a homeowner selling up, or a tenant checking your rights, understanding how to find and work with an EPC assessor puts you in control of the process.

Key takeaways

An energy performance certificate is legally required when selling, renting, or building properties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Only assessors registered with an approved assessor’s accreditation scheme can produce valid EPCs.
Typical costs range from £60–£110 for domestic properties, with assessment varies based on size, location, and urgency.
EPCs are valid for ten years, but significant improvements may justify a new assessment to capture a better rating.
Always verify accreditation, get multiple quotes, and prepare evidence of energy-efficient upgrades before the visit.

Getting your EPC sorted is straightforward once you understand the process. Start by checking if you have an existing valid certificate, then search the official register for local assessors who can carry out your assessment. With upcoming regulations pushing landlords toward higher ratings, acting early gives you time to plan improvements and avoid last-minute compliance headaches.