Frequently asked questions
EPCs, home energy reports and how booking works.
Do I need an EPC?
You need a valid EPC to sell or let a home in England and Wales, and to meet landlord Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). An EPC is valid for 10 years.
What’s the difference between an EPC and a Home Energy Report?
An EPC is lodged on the national register and can be used for sale, letting and compliance. A Home Energy Report is the same thorough survey but is not lodged - it’s for advice and planning improvements, and cannot be used for compliance.
What is a Made-to-Measure Energy Plan?
It is our most in-depth service. You get everything in a Home Energy Report, plus a deeper look at how you actually live - your occupancy patterns, vehicles and mileage, and a review of your smart-meter data and bills. We turn that into a bespoke, prioritised whole-home plan: which improvements to make, in what order, with indicative costs and savings, and independent signposting to the UK Government funding routes and accredited installers you may be able to use. Once it is issued, I talk you through every recommendation and answer any questions. It is independent, impartial advice - we never take referral fees or sell products. Plans start from £275.
What is the Tailored Home Energy Technology Comparison?
It’s for anyone at the start of a renovation, retrofit, extension or new-project journey who wants to weigh up their options before committing. Rather than a full survey, it’s a 60-minute in-person consultation to understand your home and your plans - bring any architecture drawings or ideas if you have them, but it’s no problem if you don’t. Afterwards we prepare a tailored report comparing the home-energy technology options worth considering (with their pros, cons and rough costs), usually within 4 days. If you already have an EPC we’ll use it as a starting point. It starts from £225, and you can see an example comparison on our services page.
What are MEES and what do they mean for landlords?
MEES are the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards - the minimum EPC rating a rented home must reach to be let. Since April 2020 privately rented homes in England and Wales must be at least EPC band E (unless a valid exemption is registered). The Government has proposed raising this to band C - proposed for new tenancies from 2028 and all tenancies from 2030 - though this is still subject to consultation and not yet law. Acting early spreads the cost and usually lowers tenants’ bills.
What’s in the Landlord’s Guide to MEES service?
A full Home Energy Report plus a tailored action plan showing the lowest-cost route to meet the current (EPC E) and proposed future (EPC C) standards - low-cost measures first, then fabric, then heating and renewables. Because the EPC rating is driven partly by modelled running cost and carbon, we model what actually moves the band for your property. The service includes 20% off a lodged EPC once your measures are complete (a single-use code issued with your report). It starts from £85.
What happens in a 45-minute consultation?
It’s a friendly, impartial chat - by video call or in person at your home - for anyone who’s not sure where to start. Ask us anything about your home energy plans: where to begin on a retrofit, whether to insulate before changing your heating, heat-pump suitability, solar and batteries, EV charging and smart tariffs, grants you might qualify for, or making sense of an existing EPC or an installer’s quote. There’s no report - the aim is to give you clarity and a sensible next step. It starts from £69 (plus travel for an in-person visit). We never take referral fees or sell products.
How long does the visit take?
A typical home takes around 45-60 minutes. Larger or more complex properties can take a little longer. The inspection is non-invasive.
How quickly will I get my certificate?
EPCs are usually emailed and lodged within 48 hours of the visit. Need it sooner? Choose the next-day option when you get your quote (subject to availability).
What do you need access to?
All rooms, your boiler, gas/electricity meters, and the loft if it’s reachable via a hatch. Having evidence of any improvements (insulation, extensions, solar, batteries, glazing, heating upgrades) ready helps us produce the most accurate assessment.
How much does it cost?
EPCs start from £75 and Home Energy Reports from £55, all-inclusive with no VAT. The exact fixed price depends on your property - get it instantly with our quote tool.
Which areas do you cover?
Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, we cover Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire - roughly a 45-minute drive from our base. Our quote tool confirms whether we cover your postcode; if you’re just outside the area, contact us directly for a bespoke quote.