How to Get an EPC: A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners and Landlords

Getting an EPC is simpler than most people expect: one short visit from an accredited assessor, and the certificate is on the national register shortly afterwards. But the first step is checking you need one at all, because a valid certificate lasts ten years and you may already have it.

Step 1: Check whether you already have an EPC

Search your postcode on the government's Find an energy certificate service. It's free and covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. An EPC lasts ten years from the date it was lodged, whoever owned the property then, so if there's one from the last ten years you can download it and you don't need a new assessment.

The exception is if you've improved the property since. A new boiler or new insulation won't show on an old certificate. More on that in how long an EPC lasts.

Step 2: Find an accredited assessor

Only an accredited domestic energy assessor can produce an EPC and lodge it on the register. GOV.UK's Get a new energy certificate page links to a Find an assessor service that lists accredited assessors, and it advises checking that whoever you use is part of an accredited scheme.

In practice you have three routes:

• Book a local assessor directly. You deal with the person who does the visit, from booking to certificate.
• Through your estate agent or letting agent. Convenient, but the agent may add their own margin.
• Through a national booking website. Often a low headline price, with the job passed on to a local assessor. Worth checking what's included.

What to compare between quotes is covered in how much an EPC costs in Birmingham.

Step 3: Book the assessment

When you book, expect to be asked for:

• the property postcode;
• the type of property and the number of bedrooms, plus any extension, loft conversion or conservatory;
• whether the EPC is for a sale, a let or something else;
• who will let the assessor in, and when.

That's enough for a fixed price. You can request a booking online with your preferred day and time, or ring 07365 061790.

Step 4: Prepare for the visit

• Access. Someone needs to be there to let the assessor in. They need access to every room, the loft hatch, the boiler and heating controls, the hot water cylinder if there is one, and the gas and electricity meters.
• Paperwork for anything that can't be seen. Insulation certificates, boiler installation records or details of work done. Evidence lets the assessor record an improvement properly instead of relying on defaults for the property's age.
• No tidying needed. The assessment is of the building, not how it looks.

Step 5: The visit

For most homes it takes 30 to 45 minutes; a large or unusual property can take up to an hour. The assessor measures every room and records the walls, roof, floors, windows, heating system and controls, hot water and lighting. It's an energy assessment only: it doesn't cover damp, structure or safety. Here's what happens during an EPC assessment in more detail.

Step 6: Receive your certificate

After the visit, the assessor enters the data into the government-approved calculation, checks it and lodges the certificate on the national register. You get a digital copy, and anyone, including your estate agent, can then find it on the register by postcode. With me, the certificate is lodged and emailed within 36 hours of the visit.

If something on the certificate is wrong, contact the assessor first. If that doesn't resolve it, GOV.UK says to contact the assessor's accreditation scheme, whose details are on the EPC.

How much does it cost to get an EPC?

There's no official price; each assessor sets their own. In Birmingham, advertised prices run from about £35 to £120. Mine are £65 for a studio or one-bedroom flat, £85 for any two-bedroom property or a three-bedroom house, and £95 for a house with four bedrooms or more, paid on the day by bank transfer or cash, with no booking fee and no travel charge. Full details are on my EPC prices page.

How long does it take to get an EPC?

The visit itself is under an hour, and the certificate follows once it is lodged. The wait is mostly for an appointment. I don't offer same-day visits, but I work seven days a week, 7am to 10pm, so evenings and weekends are available at the same price.

If you're selling, you must have commissioned an EPC before the property is marketed, and then use all reasonable efforts to have it within 7 days. The full seller's rules are in do you need an EPC to sell a house?

Demand varies through the year. In the 12 months to September 2026, 33,916 EPCs were lodged for Birmingham homes, about 2,800 a month. The busiest month was April 2026 (3,375) and the quietest December 2025 (2,156).

Who can do an EPC?

Only an accredited domestic energy assessor who belongs to an accreditation scheme. An electrician, surveyor or estate agent can't produce one unless they are separately accredited. I'm accredited with ECMK, insured and DBS checked.

Common questions

Can I get an EPC online without a visit?

No. A domestic EPC needs an accredited assessor to visit the property and record what is there. You can book online, but the assessment is done in person.

Can I get an EPC for free?

Not a new one. But if the property already has a valid certificate, you can view and download it free on the government's Find an energy certificate service.

Do I need to be at home for the EPC?

You, or someone you trust, needs to be there to let the assessor in and give access to every room, the loft hatch and the meters.

Do I need an EPC for a flat?

Yes, if you're selling or letting it. Each flat designed for separate use has its own certificate. The steps are exactly the same as for a house.