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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I have my development assessed under the Code?
Because the Code for Sustainable Homes is the government’s official measure of how environmentally friendly an individual home or large scale development is it provides a unique selling point.
It is also a requirement that all publically funded developments must meet a minimum of Code Level 3.
Many planning departments are now making Code for Sustainable Homes compliance a planning condition.
How easy is it to achieve a rating under the code?
There are 6 levels to aim for. Achieving the lower levels is relatively straightforward for designers and developers who are forward thinking. Levels 4, 5 & 6 are for those who want to lead the field in sustainable development. Level 6 is defined as ‘True Zero Carbon’.
Why should I use Southern Energy Services?
We are licensed and registered to carry out assessments under the Code for Sustainable Homes. We are also members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Because we are also fully accredited and qualified to carry out Air Tightness Testing and SAP Calculations (important parts of the Code assessment) we provide a fully cohesive and cost effective service.
What is involved?
There are two stages to Code assessment. The Design Stage assessment is carried out during the design of the individual house or development. At this stage we work closely with the designer, specifier and builder to advise on the most appropriate design process to gain the required Code rating. A report is then issued to the Building Research Establishment (BRE) for an Interim Certificate.
The Post Construction Stage requires us to make a number of site visits during construction and completion of the Post Construction Review Report. This is submitted to BRE who then issue the Final Code Certificate.
How much does it cost?
We provide a highly cost effective service. Either call us on 01949 859 859, fax us on 01949 859 020 or email us for a fast competitive quote.
With engineers strategically placed throughout the South and further we provide a local, cost effective service at short notice. The areas we cover include: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Basingstoke, Bath and North East Somerset, Berkshire, Bexley, Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brent, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Bromley, Buckinghamshire, Camden, City of London, Cornwall, Croydon, Devon, Dorset, Ealing, East Sussex, Enfield, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hampshire, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hertfordshire, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kent, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Luton, Medway, Merton, Newham , North Somerset, Oxfordshire, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Slough, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, Southwark, Suffolk, Surrey, Sutton, Swindon, Hurrock, Torbay, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest , Wandsworth, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Westminster, Wiltshire, Windsor & Maidenhead, Wokingham