Commercial EPC
Non-domestic buildings in England & Wales are assessed under a different method, cost more, and are rated on the same A–G scale with different thresholds behind it.
What it costs
A simple level 3 assessment for a small shop or office typically runs from £150 to £400. Complex buildings assessed at level 4 or 5 — air conditioning, multiple zones, unusual construction — run into four figures.
Price is driven by the assessment level, the number of heating and cooling zones, and how good the building records are — see commercial EPC cost for the full breakdown.
Commercial against domestic
- Assessed under SBEM, not RdSAP.
- Carried out by a non-domestic energy assessor at the right level for the building.
- Rated A+ to G rather than A to G.
- Valid for ten years, like a domestic certificate.
When you need one
- Before a commercial building is marketed for sale or to let.
- On construction of a new non-domestic building.
- On a modification that changes the number of parts with separate heating systems.
Buildings that do not need one
- Places of worship.
- Temporary buildings in use for two years or less.
- Industrial sites and workshops with low energy demand for conditioning the space.
- Stand-alone buildings under 50 m² that are not dwellings.
- Buildings due for demolition with the relevant permissions in place.
Common questions
Can a domestic assessor do a commercial EPC?
No. It needs a non-domestic assessor accredited at the level the building requires.
Is there a certificate already?
Often, yes — commercial certificates are public and last ten years. Check before you commission a new one; our expiry checker works for any lodgement date.
Does a shop with a flat above need one or two?
Two. The flat is a dwelling assessed domestically; the shop is assessed as non-domestic.