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How Much Does an EPC Cost? What the Assessment Involves (2025)

Whether you're selling, letting, or simply want to know your home's energy rating, here is a complete guide to EPC costs, the assessment process, who is accredited to carry one out, and how to get the best result.

How Much Does an EPC Cost in the UK?

In 2025, a domestic EPC assessment in the UK typically costs between £60 and £120, depending on the size and complexity of the property and the assessor's location. Prices are not regulated — assessors set their own fees — so it pays to get more than one quote.

Property TypeTypical CostAssessment Time
Studio or 1-bed flat£60–£7520–30 mins
2–3 bed house or flat£70–£9030–45 mins
4–5 bed house£80–£11045–60 mins
Large detached or unusual property£100–£150+60–90 mins
New build (Part L assessment)£200–£400+Varies

Already Have a Recent EPC?

EPCs are valid for 10 years. Before paying for a new assessment, check whether your property already has a valid EPC on the government register. You can look up any address in England, Wales, or Scotland for free — no need to pay an assessor until you know yours has expired or you want to reassess after making improvements.

Check your existing EPC for free

Who Can Carry Out an EPC Assessment?

In the UK, EPCs must be carried out by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). DEAs must be accredited through one of the government-approved accreditation schemes and must hold appropriate qualifications (typically a Level 3 Award in Domestic Energy Assessment). It is illegal to commission or use an EPC from an unaccredited assessor.

Accreditation bodies include:

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Elmhurst Energy

elmhurstenergy.co.uk

One of the largest UK accreditation bodies. Has its own assessor finder tool.

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Quidos

quidos.co.uk

Accreditation body and software provider. Find an assessor through their directory.

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Stroma Certification

stroma.com

Large certification body covering EPCs, SAP calculations, and other building assessments.

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NAPIT

napit.org.uk

Accredits assessors across England, Wales, and Scotland.

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Sterling Accreditation

sterlingaccreditation.com

Specialist accreditation body for energy assessment.

You can also search the official government EPC register at  epcregister.com — which includes a “Find an assessor” function. Always verify that your assessor is accredited before booking: ask for their accreditation number and scheme name, then check it on the relevant body's website.

What Does an EPC Assessment Involve?

A domestic EPC assessment is a non-intrusive survey of your property. The assessor does not need to move furniture, access wall cavities, or carry out any drilling or testing. They record the observable features of your property and enter them into accredited SAP software, which calculates your EPC rating.

Property Details

  • Property type (detached, semi-detached, terrace, flat, etc.)
  • Age and construction method (helps determine wall type and likely U-values)
  • Floor area of each room (measured by the assessor)
  • Number of storeys and height of rooms

Heating System

  • Type of main heating system (gas boiler, electric storage heaters, heat pump, etc.)
  • Boiler make, model, and age (to determine efficiency rating)
  • Type of fuel used (gas, oil, electricity, solid fuel, etc.)
  • Presence of a room thermostat, programmer, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
  • Hot water system type and cylinder size/insulation

Insulation

  • Loft insulation depth (measured with a ruler during the visit)
  • Wall type (solid, cavity with or without fill, or timber/steel frame)
  • Floor insulation (if visible — under suspended timber floors)
  • Evidence of cavity wall insulation (may be checked from CIGA records)

Windows and Doors

  • Glazing type (single, double, triple — and approximate age)
  • Frame material (uPVC, timber, aluminium)
  • Orientation of main windows (for solar gain calculation)

Renewable Energy

  • Solar PV panels (size, orientation, shading assessment)
  • Solar thermal (hot water panels)
  • Wind turbines or other low-carbon generation

Lighting

  • Proportion of low-energy (LED or CFL) light fittings

How to Prepare for Your EPC Assessment

You cannot cheat an EPC — assessors are trained to spot inaccuracies and will use default (usually pessimistic) assumptions where evidence is absent. However, there are legitimate things you can do to ensure the assessor has full information and gives your property the best possible score:

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Provide boiler documentation

Find the manual or commissioning certificate for your boiler, which confirms the make, model, and installation date. Without this, the assessor may use a default (lower) efficiency assumption.

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Show CIGA certificates for wall or loft insulation

If you have had cavity wall or loft insulation installed, dig out the guarantee certificate. This confirms the insulation is present and at what specification.

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Measure your loft insulation depth

Stick a ruler into the loft insulation and note the depth before the assessor arrives. Make sure any hatch or loft access is clear so the assessor can easily inspect.

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Provide evidence of double glazing installation date

The age of double glazing affects how it is rated in SAP. A window with a FENSA certificate (or building regulation sign-off) confirms the installation date.

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Make all areas accessible

Ensure the assessor can access the boiler cupboard, hot water cylinder, loft hatch, and all rooms. A locked room or inaccessible area will receive a default (pessimistic) assumption.

How Long Is an EPC Valid?

An EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. If you sell or let your property within that 10 years, the existing certificate can be used again — you do not need to commission a new one unless the old one has expired or you want to reassess after making energy improvements.

If you have made significant energy improvements to your property — such as installing solar panels, adding loft insulation, or fitting a new boiler — it is worth commissioning a new assessment even if the old one is still valid. A better EPC rating can increase your property's value, reduce mortgage rates (some lenders offer green mortgages with better rates for A–C rated properties), and demonstrate compliance with rental minimum energy standards.

Do You Legally Need an EPC?

In the UK, an EPC is a legal requirement in the following situations:

1

Selling a property

The EPC must be commissioned before the property is first marketed. It does not need to have been received before marketing begins, but must be ordered.

2

Letting a property

Landlords must have a valid EPC before tenancy begins. Additionally, properties let in England and Wales must currently have a minimum rating of E (the MEES regulations). The government has proposed raising this to C by 2030.

3

New build properties

New homes must have an EPC rating of B or above (post-2021 Building Regulations). Developers must provide the EPC to buyers before completion.

When You Do Not Need an EPC

Listed buildings are generally exempt from EPC requirements (though advice on energy efficiency can still be useful). Holiday lets used for less than 4 months per year are also exempt. Buildings used less than 4 months per year where the owner/occupant provides their own heating may also qualify for exemption — but take advice before assuming an exemption applies to your property.

Check Your Current EPC Before Booking an Assessment

Your property may already have a valid EPC on the national register — look it up for free before spending £60–£120 on a new assessment.

Look up my property's EPC for free

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carry out my own EPC assessment?
No. EPC assessments must be carried out by a qualified, accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). Self-assessment is not legally valid. An EPC produced by an unaccredited person cannot be lodged on the government register and has no legal standing.
How quickly will I receive my EPC after the assessment?
Most assessors lodge the certificate on the government register within 1–5 working days of the survey. Some will provide a draft on the day. Once lodged, the certificate is immediately downloadable from epcregister.com free of charge.
Can I dispute my EPC rating if I think it is wrong?
Yes. If you believe the assessor has made an error — for example, recording the wrong wall type or missing insulation that is clearly present — contact the assessor directly first. If they do not resolve the issue, you can raise a complaint through their accreditation body. Disputes rarely arise from straightforward assessments, but errors do occasionally happen.
Is there a difference between an EPC for selling and one for letting?
No. An EPC is an EPC — the same certificate can be used for either purpose. There are different legal requirements (minimum standards for letting vs. disclosure for selling), but the certificate itself is identical.
Do I need a new EPC after making energy improvements?
You are not legally required to get a new EPC unless the old one has expired (10-year validity) or you are letting and need to demonstrate compliance with the minimum E-rating standard. However, getting a new EPC after improvements is often worthwhile to reflect the higher value, access green mortgage products, or demonstrate compliance with the proposed 2030 C-rating requirement for lettings.
Can estate agents book the EPC on my behalf?
Yes, and many do as a convenience service. However, you are not obliged to use the assessor your agent recommends. It is worth getting an independent quote — estate agent-referred assessors are often priced higher than finding one directly.

Find a Local Energy Assessor

EPC assessments from £60–£120

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