How to prepare for your visit

When you’ve arranged your appointment with us, this page tells you exactly what we’ll need and how you can get ready.

The smoother the preparation, the quicker the assessment- and the more accurate your report will be.

Access and Timing

The visit can take up to 2 hours, depending on the size, layout and complexity of the property.
We will need access to all areas of the property: all rooms, loft/roof space (if relevant), and any out-buildings or extensions that form part of the thermal envelope.
Please ensure clear access to every window. Recent legislation introduced in June this year means we are now required to measure every window in a dwelling. If furniture, curtains, blinds or clutter restrict access we may be held up - or unable to record required data.
If you already know the date of your appointment, it’s helpful to be present at the start so we can talk through any specific features of your home before we begin.

Documentation you may already have

Having documentation ready for certain features makes the process much smoother and may reduce the need for invasive measurement assumptions. Please gather any of the following, as applicable:

Extensions

If your home has any extensions, please check for any of the following:
An original building-regulation sign-off, completion certificate or equivalent.
Confirmation of the date the extension(s) were built (approximate year is better than none).

This helps us place the extension into the correct age and construction category for the EPC assessment.

Insulation (walls, floors, roof)

We are particularly interested in whether insulation has been added, and if so, what specification was used. If you have:
A letter from the building company (on headed paper, signed by management) addressed to your property that confirms: which areas were insulated, the material used, thickness (e.g. 100 mm, 150 mm) and location.
A certificate or proof of cavity-wall fill (if cavity walls were filled).

If it is possible for us to physically see insulation (e.g. in loft space, in exposed roof/ceiling area) we may measure or verify in-situ rather than rely solely on documentation—but having the paper trail really helps.

Heat-source pump (HP) or other alternative heating technologies

If your heating system includes a heat pump (air-source or ground-source) please supply the relevant certificate—typically an MCS certificate (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). This shows the system’s specification and helps us accurately record its performance.

Solar panels / Photovoltaics

If you have solar PV on your roof or elsewhere, please supply the MCS certificate for the PV installation.

Again, this documentation supports our evaluation of your home’s energy performance.

Windows

For any replaced windows, please supply any FENSA certificate or equivalent (or other guarantee of installation). This confirms whether the glazing and frames meet current standards and helps us assess U-values.

If you do not have the certificate, do not worry—we will collect the information during our visit, but if you can locate the paperwork in advance it certainly speeds things up.

How you can help us make it efficient

To make the visit as smooth as possible:

Ensure all areas are accessible: loft hatches are clear and safe to reach; internal doors can be opened; external doors unlocked.
Temporarily remove items blocking windows, eaves or loft hatches (e.g. large storage boxes, furniture pushed against windows).
Have relevant documentation ready (see above) and if you have installed insulation or renewable systems since the last inspection, please point these out or highlight them.
If you are away during the visit, please ensure someone else is available who knows the property well and has access to all areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have all documents to go ahead with the EPC?

No — you don’t need to gather everything. We will carry out a full assessment whether or not you have all documentation. But if you do have the documents it helps us avoid assumptions and ensures a more accurate, streamlined process.

What happens if we can’t access a loft or some part of the house?

Access to all relevant areas is important. If we cannot safely access a loft, roof space or extension, we may make default assumptions about insulation or construction type, which could lead to a less favourable rating than is actually the case. It may also delay the report. We’ll discuss this in advance if access is restricted.

Does the visit cost more if the house is large or complex?

We set our visit pricing based on size and complexity when you book — so you will already know the time allocated. Additional delays caused by access issues or missing information may incur extra time.

Will the visit disturb my home?

No invasive work is carried out. We do not tear out walls or insulation. Our assessment is non-destructive. We will simply inspect, measure and record observable features.

Thank you for preparing these materials in advance.

Your help means we can complete the inspection more quickly and provide you with your valid EPC certificate and report as efficiently as possible.

If you have any questions ahead of the visit, or need assistance locating certificates or documentation, please don’t hesitate to contact us below.