Looking for an EPC in Northern Ireland? 360 Surveys NI provides domestic Energy Performance Certificates and On Construction EPC services, helping homeowners, landlords and developers understand what information is needed for their property. Based in Portadown, we work with clients in Belfast, Armagh, Craigavon and across Northern Ireland.
The right starting point depends on the building. An existing home being marketed for sale calls for a different assessment process from a new dwelling still on the drawing board. Tell us what you are planning, the property address and your intended timescale, and we can discuss the appropriate service before you book.
What an Energy Performance Certificate tells you
An Energy Performance Certificate presents a building's energy performance in a standard format. It gives potential buyers and tenants a way to compare properties and identifies possible improvements. The familiar rating scale runs from A to G, with A representing the most energy efficient end of the scale.
An EPC is not a record of what a particular household actually spends. Occupancy, heating habits, energy tariffs and the weather all affect real bills. Treat its figures as an assessment made on a consistent basis, rather than a promise about future running costs.
It is also different from a measured building survey or an investigation of defects. If you need drawings for an extension as well as an energy assessment, explain both requirements when enquiring so the work can be scoped separately.
Who needs this service?
Homeowners preparing to sell, landlords arranging a new letting and developers completing new homes are common clients. Northern Ireland guidance says an EPC is needed when a property is built or marketed for sale or rent, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions. Check the circumstances of your property before assuming an exemption applies.
An existing certificate may already be available. Provide a copy if you have one, together with details of any changes to the building since the assessment. This helps establish whether you are asking for a new certificate, information about an existing record or advice on the next step.
For a portfolio, send a list of addresses and property types. That makes it easier to discuss access arrangements, the order of visits and a consistent brief for all the properties.
Domestic EPCs for existing homes
A domestic assessment considers the building and its installed features. Access to the relevant spaces and available evidence can help the assessor establish construction details, insulation and heating arrangements. The exact information required should be confirmed when the appointment is arranged.
You can prepare by gathering documents for improvements such as insulation, replacement heating equipment or an extension. Do not assume an installation will be recognised solely because it has been described verbally. Ask what supporting evidence is useful and whether photographs or certificates are appropriate for your circumstances.
Where a property is occupied, agree access with the resident in advance. Let us know about locked areas, animals, restricted parking or other practical matters. A clear appointment brief reduces the chance of important information being unavailable during the visit.
On Construction EPCs and new dwellings
New housing requires coordination between the design, construction and final assessment stages. Our On Construction EPC service covers design and as-built energy assessment work, including SAP calculations as appropriate to the project. The information needed at each stage is different.
At the design stage, provide current drawings and the proposed fabric and services specifications. Later changes to insulation, glazing, heating or other elements should be communicated to the assessor. A final assessment needs to reflect the completed dwelling rather than an earlier design that has since changed.
Developers should identify who will supply drawings, product information and completion evidence. Agree that responsibility early, especially where several contractors are involved. We can discuss the assessment brief with your project team, but a certificate should never be treated as a substitute for the wider approvals required for a development.
What it costs
How much does an EPC cost? We provide a quote based on the property and the assessment required rather than publishing one figure that might not fit your situation. Existing homes and new-build assessment packages involve different work, information and coordination.
Useful details include the address, property type, approximate size, number of dwellings and whether the building is existing or under construction. Access restrictions, missing information and the timing of visits may also affect the scope. For new housing, clarify whether you need design-stage calculations, final assessment work or both.
Ask for the quotation to identify what is included and how additional work would be agreed. If you are comparing offers, compare the scope as well as the headline amount. A clear brief is more useful than choosing a figure before the assessor knows what needs to be delivered.
Preparing for an assessment
Start by sending the property address and a short explanation of why the certificate is needed. Tell us about the intended marketing or completion date, but avoid making a commitment to another party before the assessment timetable has been confirmed.
Collect any existing EPC, available plans and relevant improvement records. For new construction, keep a current set of drawings and specifications together, with changes clearly identified. It is easier for everyone to work from one agreed revision than from several unlabelled documents.
Make sure the person providing access knows what the visit involves. If the property is tenanted, arrange the appointment with the occupier through the appropriate contact. Raise any access or safety restrictions before the appointment so the visit can be planned sensibly.
Using the certificate and recommendations
Once the certificate is available, check the property details and keep the assessment information with your other property records. If something appears inconsistent, raise it with the assessor rather than trying to amend the document yourself.
The recommendations can help you consider possible improvements, but they are not a complete design specification or a quotation from an installer. The suitability of a measure depends on the building and may require additional advice. For example, an alteration can involve more than its energy effect, including practical construction and ventilation considerations.
An EPC is generally valid for ten years under Northern Ireland guidance. That does not mean every property enquiry can be answered simply by looking at the expiry date. Explain any relevant changes or particular requirements when asking whether an existing certificate can be used.
EPC appointments across Northern Ireland
Our Portadown base provides a practical point of contact for property owners in Craigavon and Armagh, while our work also covers Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland. Send the actual address so travel and access can be considered when arranging the appointment.
A Belfast apartment, an older home near Armagh and a new dwelling outside Portadown may need different preparation even where the desired outcome is an EPC. Property information matters more than a broad location label.
For developments with several units, identify which dwellings are ready for assessment and which remain in progress. If your project is in the Republic of Ireland, ask about its specific requirements rather than assuming the Northern Ireland EPC process applies unchanged.
Related surveys for your property project
Energy assessment is often one part of a larger property project. A building survey can provide the measured information needed to understand an existing building, with the required scope agreed at quotation.
A topographical survey records site features and levels for design work. For a broader view of a site or suitable inspection work, ask about drone surveying. These services answer different questions, so explain the project rather than assuming one survey includes everything.
To arrange an EPC enquiry, request a quote with your address, property type and preferred timescale. You can also call 028 38339820 to discuss the information needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide both domestic and On Construction EPCs?
Yes. 360 Surveys NI lists domestic EPCs and On Construction EPC services. Tell us whether the property is an existing home or a new dwelling so the assessment can be scoped appropriately.
How much does an EPC cost in Northern Ireland?
The cost depends on the property and the work required. Send the address, property type, approximate size and assessment purpose for a tailored quotation with an agreed scope.
Is an EPC the same as a building survey?
No. An EPC assesses energy performance. A building survey has a different purpose and scope, such as recording the dimensions and layout needed for a design project. Discuss each requirement separately.
Can I use an existing EPC?
An EPC is generally valid for ten years. Provide the existing certificate and explain any changes to the building or particular requirements so its suitability can be considered for your circumstances.
What should I send with an enquiry?
Send the address, property type, whether it is existing or new construction, your timescale and any available certificate or drawings. For several dwellings, include a schedule of the properties.