The cost of an EPC certificate in 2024 starts from £69 in Warrington, Manchester & Liverpool. While other companies charge extra based on property size or location, we keep our pricing straightforward - just £69 for any home in our local service area.

Estate agents typically add £30-60 commission to EPC costs, with some charging up to £150 for the same service. We've compiled this guide to help you avoid these markups and ensure you get the best value for your EPC certificate.

How to Get an EPC: Comparing Your Options in 2024

The best way to get an EPC is directly from an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). Here's a comparison of all available options to help you make a better decision:

Direct from an Assessor

By going direct to an EPC Assessor, you will get exactly the same product as the next two methods without any additional markups or commissions paid. Your DEA needs to be qualified and accredited to be able to lodge EPCs to the register. The government holds a database of all these certified energy assessors so it's easy to find one.

While prices range from £60 to £100, our £69 fee reflects a balanced approach - allowing us to spend enough time on each assessment without overcharging our clients. This matters because:

• Rushed assessments can miss details affecting your rating
• Properties with higher EPC ratings typically achieve better market values
• Thorough assessments include better improvement recommendations
• Accurate EPCs help avoid potential issues during property sales

Online EPC Booking

There are various websites from national companies where you can book your EPC online. Almost all of these companies subcontract the work to local assessors and either add a markup on top of the EPC or screw the assessor down on their price so there is room for their profit.

Whilst convenient, it's usually not ideal for the client for several reasons:

• Potentially overcharged in comparison to going direct to a DEA
• Randomly assigned a DEA without choice of assessor
• Low value for the DEA, where the job may be rushed
• No direct communication with your assessor
• Difficulty rescheduling if needed
• Limited local knowledge and experience
• Potential delays in certificate delivery
• No guarantee of assessor availability

These online booking platforms typically charge between £75-120, despite using the same local assessors who would charge less directly. The difference goes to platform fees, marketing costs, and profit margins.

EPCs Through Estate Agents

If you're selling a house, an Estate Agent sorting the EPC means no effort on your part—the ultimate convenience at a stressful time. However, Estate Agents are aware of this convenience factor and the vast majority add their markup to the cost.

A quick Google and a phone call or two could save you in the region of £30-60. This saving might only take five minutes of your time.

Here's how estate agent EPC pricing typically works:

• Estate agent charges customer: £90-120
• Local assessor payment: £60
• Agent markup: £30-60

Without naming and shaming, one well-known, nationwide estate agent gives all their EPCs to a large provider. This provider charges the home owner £150. The EPC is then subcontracted out to a local EPC assessor who gets £50. The provider gives the estate agent a commission for the work. What this means for you:

• You pay up to triple the assessors fee
• Same service and assessor as booking direct
• Money spent on middlemen rather than the assessment
• No choice in assessor or appointment time

Comparing EPC Booking Options

	Typical Cost	Pros	Cons
Direct (Us)	£69	✓ Best price ✓ Your choice of assessor ✓ Flexible booking ✓ Direct communication	Have to arrange yourself
Estate Agent	£90-150	✓ Convenient ✓ Part of sales package	✗ High markup ✗ No assessor choice ✗ Less flexible timing
Online Service	£75-120	✓ 24/7 booking ✓ Convenient	✗ Random assessor ✗ Quality concerns ✗ Communication issues