EPC vs Retrofit Assessment
What's the difference between an Energy Performance Certificate and a PAS 2035 Retrofit Assessment — and which one do you need?
| Feature | EPC | Retrofit Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Rates a property's energy performance A-G and is generally required when a covered home is marketed for sale or rent | Forms part of the wider PAS 2035 process where applicable — gathers whole-dwelling information for the retrofit team |
| Cost | £60-£90 | £165-£250 |
| Duration | Typically 30-60 minutes on-site | Depends on dwelling size, construction, occupancy information and access |
| Legal / scheme context | A covered property must generally have an EPC commissioned when it is marketed for sale or rent | Not a general legal requirement — it is an assessment stage within the wider PAS 2035 process where applicable; funded schemes have their own rules |
| Report detail | EPC rating plus improvement recommendations | Whole-dwelling assessment information feeding the wider PAS 2035 process; coordination and design are separate stages |
| Validity | Generally valid for 10 years | Not a grant-eligibility certificate; use depends on the wider retrofit project or scheme requirements |
| Who needs it | Owners marketing a covered property for sale or rent | People who specifically need a private Retrofit Assessment or projects where the PAS 2035 assessment stage applies |
| Output | EPC certificate lodged to the government's energy certificate service | Retrofit Assessment information pack feeding the wider PAS 2035 process (coordination and design are separate stages) |
EPC — Quick Facts
- Generally required when a covered property is marketed for sale or rent
- Costs £60-£90 depending on property size
- Typically 30-60 minutes on-site
- Generally valid for 10 years
- Rates the property A-G on energy efficiency
- Lodged to the government's energy certificate service
Retrofit Assessment — Quick Facts
- Forms part of the wider PAS 2035 process where applicable
- Costs £165-£250 depending on property size
- Visit duration depends on the dwelling and access
- Whole-dwelling assessment approach
- Gathers construction, condition, occupancy, ventilation and services information
- Funding eligibility is decided separately by the relevant scheme provider
Need Both Services?
If you independently need both a valid EPC and a private Retrofit Assessment, they can be booked together and the current bundle discount is applied by our pricing tool. If funding is your main objective, check the official scheme route first. Calculate a bundle price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EPC or a retrofit assessment?⌄
If you're marketing a covered property for sale or rent, you generally need a valid EPC. A Retrofit Assessment serves a different purpose: it gathers whole-dwelling information for the wider PAS 2035 process where applicable. If funding is your main objective, check the relevant council, supplier or official scheme route before paying for a private assessment.
Can I use a retrofit assessment instead of an EPC?⌄
No. A Retrofit Assessment does not replace an EPC where an EPC is required for a sale, letting or other purpose. The two services record different information and serve different roles.
Does a retrofit assessment include an EPC?⌄
Not automatically. An EPC and a Retrofit Assessment are separate services with different purposes. If you also need a valid EPC, you can book both services and the current bundle pricing will be shown by the quote or booking process.
Which should I do first — EPC or retrofit assessment?⌄
If you need an EPC for sale, letting or a current energy rating, start by checking whether a valid certificate already exists. If your goal is grant-funded work, check the official funding route first because a privately commissioned Retrofit Assessment is not normally a prerequisite to applying. If you specifically need PAS 2035 assessment information for a private retrofit project, the Retrofit Assessment can be commissioned separately.
If I get a retrofit assessment, will my EPC rating improve?⌄
No rating improvement is guaranteed by the assessment itself. The Retrofit Assessor gathers whole-dwelling information; coordination, design and the final package of measures are separate stages. If works are later completed, a new EPC can show the property's resulting energy rating.
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