How we developed our own retrofit assessment system and why quality wins every time
Our Retrofit Manager Oliver Morgan has been working extensively on the retrofit assessment process for over two years: from carrying out assessments himself, working with retrofit coordinators and housing association leaders to enhance the report system, and managing the Building Energy Experts retrofit assessor team. This interview takes us through why BEE retrofit assessments provide a different experience for clients and why he is confident they are the best available.
Q: What is the usual approach for retrofit assessments? And why are you doing things differently?
A: The commonly used app report used in this sector isn’t terrifically detailed and felt a bit lacking in places. We were hearing from clients that reports typically took a lot of time and didn’t always include appropriate and essential core information.
Q: What do BEE reports contain that others might not?
A: Missing information includes basic industry standards that it’s a mistake to assume are known and understood easily. They also change regularly and our app is constantly updated so any changes in standardisation can be adapted to and the report never becomes outdated. We also include Part F, eaves ventilation, air tightness and in certain cases where a report may simply give a pass or a fail we give measurements – eg. door undercut. This all feeds into Part F.
Q: How would these features of the reports benefit clients?
A: The top advantage we hear regularly is that providing this level of information means they don’t need to go back to site for clarification and have to sift through misinformation. From a retrofit designer‘s perspective, the layout is super clean in our forms and when combined with ventilation and assessments the report is a time saver and they are then able to progress straight away getting a design done.
Q: How many reports are BEE doing? And how does a typical week pan out for the team?
A: Usually we do three or four a day, depending on location and these are typically done Monday to Thursday. We spend Fridays finishing them internally with a quality assurance process so each one is checked to make sense and then our bespoke report is populated and then sent to the client (usually the week after the assessment).
Q: Who are your usual clients and how will these assessments benefit them?
A: Typically we work with retrofit coordinators who are contracted by housing developments. We also work directly with Housing Associations and those providing social housing . Using EPC’s and other assessments housing associations and their retrofit team are then able to undertake energy saving measures to lower emissions and also save on fuel usage. Their tenants will then be warmer and their homes healthier.
Why Quality Retrofit Assessments Make All the Difference
At Building Energy Experts, we believe that quality and accuracy are essential when it comes to retrofit assessments. By developing our own bespoke reporting system, we have created a more detailed, reliable, and user-friendly approach that benefits retrofit coordinators, housing associations, and social housing providers alike.
With a strong focus on compliance, clarity, and efficiency, our assessments help clients save time, reduce uncertainty, and implement energy-saving measures with confidence. Ultimately, this means lower emissions, reduced fuel costs, and healthier, more comfortable homes for residents.
As industry standards continue to evolve, like the new PAS 2035:2023 changes, we remain committed to innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that our assessments set the benchmark for quality and effectiveness in the retrofit sector.
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