Commercial EPC Booking Information

Thank you for your instruction to undertake a Commercial Energy Performance Assessment (EPC). The assessment should not take more than 2 hours, typically about about an hour and will assess the energy efficiency of your property.

If at any time you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on 07436 211 891 or mail@epc-swansea.co.uk.

The assessment has been provisionally booked, pending payment. Payment confirms your booking and signifies your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions and Complaints procedure which can be found below.

There are a few rare occasions where due to collecting keys elsewhere, the size of the property, the number of extensions, the use of renewable technologies, that a surcharge will have to be made to cover the longer site visit, but we’ll discuss that with you in advance, before you commit to use us.

I will carry out the assessment and will need full access to the property both internally and externally, including any loft space and access to heating and boiler systems. If you will not be there, please confirm how I should gain access.

Once the assessment is complete, I will generate the Energy Performance Certificate for the property which will give you a rating from A-G. The certificate will be registered on the central government database, and I’ll email you a PDF copy. The certificate will also provide recommendations on how efficiency can be improved and the potential of rating that can be achieved.

I’d also be grateful if, after the certificate has been issued, you could leave me a review on Google: https://g.page/r/CdL9xx9aSh3WEAg/review.

Before the appointment, please make me aware of any Health and Safety aspects that could affect the inspection (e.g. does the property contain asbestos), are there any defective elements that may cause damage if checked (e.g. doors that cannot be operated), are there any defective elements that may cause a security breach (e.g. windows that once opened cannot be closed).

It will help my assessment if you know the answers to the following questions:

  • Roughly when was the property built?
  • Have any extensions been built – if so, when? 
  • If double glazed, do you have a FENSA certificate?
  • Have the walls had cavity insulation, do you have a certificate?
  • Has the loft been additionally insulated, do you have a certificate?
  • Does the property have any concealed access hatches or doorways that can be opened?
  • Are there any parts of the property that cannot be inspected because of stored possessions?
  • Is there a loft ladder in position that can be used?
  • Does the property have any solar, wind or pump renewables?

My assessment will include:

  • Reviewing your property on Google Maps
  • Checking for previous Planning Permission
  • Checking for previous FENSA certificates
  • Establishing the age and construction method of the property
  • Measuring floor areas of the property
  • Measuring wall areas of the property
  • Looking at heating systems including the boiler, heat emitters and controls
  • Looking at air ventilation and extract systems
  • Looking at the water heating systems
  • Identifying any existing cavity wall insulation
  • Identifying the level of existing loft insulation
  • Identifying the use of energy saving lights
  • Looking at the quality of glazing
  • Identifying any alternative heating (e.g. solar) energy-efficient products

Terms & Conditions

The following terms and conditions shall apply to all work undertaken by the Domestic Energy Assessor and shall supersede and override all other warranties, representations and terms and conditions whether express or implied, oral or written, including the Client’s standard terms.

1.            Definitions

“Domestic Energy Assessor” or the “Company” is the Domestic Energy Assessor trading under these conditions that are set out by the Company EPC Swansea / BWheeler OpCo LTD.

“Client” is the party at whose request or on whose behalf the Domestic Energy Assessor undertakes surveying services.

“Report” means any report, advice or statement supplied by the Domestic Energy Assessor in connection with instructions received from the Client.

“Disbursements” means the cost of all reasonable photography, reproduction of drawings, diagrams, sketches and printing, duplicating and, where applicable, electronic transmission fees, and all reasonable and appropriate expenses including travel, refreshments and hotel accommodation where an overnight stay is necessary.  

“Fees” means the fees charged by the Domestic Energy Assessor to the Client and including any value added tax where applicable and any Disbursements.

2.            Scope

The Domestic Energy Assessor shall provide services solely in accordance with these terms and conditions. 

Where appropriate, the Client will set out in writing the services which it requires the Domestic Energy Assessor to provide.  In the case of services for a subscription insurance market, this will be the requirements of the policy leader and may be as simple as ‘Instruct SA’. 

When acting for underwriters or other clients, the Domestic Energy Assessor’s opinions will be offered strictly without prejudice to liability, unless specifically authorised otherwise by the client.

3.            Fees

In normal circumstances, the Company will offer to perform the work on an hourly rate, up to a maximum of six hours per day.  The Company reserves the right to increase it’s hourly or daily rates at least once per annum to reflect increased costs.

4.            Payment Terms

(a)           In the case of a subscription market billing, the Client will be responsible for his designated portion of the Domestic Energy Assessor’s invoice and shall pay the Domestic Energy Assessor’s fees punctually in accordance with these Conditions and in any event not later than 30 days following the relevant invoice date. Any delay in payment shall entitle the Domestic Energy Assessor to interest on a daily basis at 4% above the Base Lending Rate of HSBC Bank Plc prevailing at the time of default.  Further delays in payment may require legal action for debt recovery.

(b)          The same terms and conditions as (a) above shall apply to single party billing.

5.            Disputed invoices

If any part of an invoice is genuinely in dispute, the Client shall pay the undisputed part thereof.  The Parties shall endeavour to resolve the disputed portion, without delay.

6.            Obligations and Responsibilities
 (a)         Domestic Energy Assessor

The Domestic Energy Assessor shall use reasonable care and skill in the performance of the services in accordance with good surveying practice.  

(b)          Reporting

The Domestic Energy Assessor shall submit interim advices, site situation reports and a final report to the Client during and following completion of the agreed services describing the Domestic Energy Assessor’s findings, assessments and inspection purporting to the purpose of the Client’s instruction, unless otherwise expressly instructed by the Client not to do so.

(c)           Confidentiality

The Domestic Energy Assessor undertakes not to disclose any information provided in confidence by the Client to any third party and will not permit access to such information by any third party unless the Client expressly grants permission save where required to do so by an order of a competent court of law.

(d)          Intellectual Property

The right of ownership in respect to any intellectual property resulting from the performance of the work created by the Domestic Energy Assessor remains the property of the Domestic Energy Assessor.  The Client shall be entitled to disclose the report or document to a third party for whose benefit the instruction/contract was specifically commissioned.

The Domestic Energy Assessor shall promptly notify the client of any matter, including conflict of interest, or lack of suitable qualifications and experience, which would render it undesirable for the Domestic Energy Assessor to continue its involvement with the appointment.  The Client shall be responsible for payment of the Domestic Energy Assessor’s fees up the date of notification.

(e)          Client

The client shall promptly settle the Domestic Energy Assessor’s invoice in accordance with Payment Terms above.

7.            Liability

(a)           The Domestic Energy Assessor shall be under no liability whatsoever to the Client for any loss, damage, delay or expense, whether direct or indirect arising howsoever caused UNLESS same is proved to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or wilful default of the Domestic Energy Assessor or any of its employees or agents or sub-contractors resulting in direct damage to tangible property where the company’s liability shall be limited in accordance with paragraph (c) below.  

(b)          The company’s total liability for professional negligence shall not exceed the fee paid for the work.

(c)           The Company accepts liability for direct damage to tangible property or death or injury to persons to the extent caused by the proven negligent acts or omissions of the Company and its employers and Consultants, provided that the Company’s liability for the same shall be limited to the coverage and indemnity limits provided under the Company’s insurance policies (which are available for inspection on request), unless otherwise covered by statute.

(d)          If the Company or any of its employees, agents and sub-contracts shall act or fail to act in any manner which results in an actionable wrong, the Client shall, subject to Clauses 8b) and 8c) above indemnify the Company against all claims, damages, costs and expenses made or incurred by a third party arising from any such act or lack of act by the Company.

8.            Force Majeure

Neither the Domestic Energy Assessor nor the Client shall, except as otherwise provided in these Conditions, be responsible for any loss, damage, delay or failure in performance hereunder arising or resulting from act of God, act of war or terrorism, seizure under legal process, quarantine restrictions, strikes, boycotts, lockouts, riots, civil commotions and arrest or restrain of princes, rulers or people.

9.            Insurance

The Domestic Energy Assessor shall effect and maintain, at no cost to the Client, Professional Liability Insurance for such loss and damage for which the Domestic Energy Assessor may be held liable to the Client under these terms and conditions.

10.          Domestic Energy Assessor Right to sub-contract

The Domestic Energy Assessor shall have the right to sub-contract any of the services provided under the conditions, subject to the Client’s right to discuss such an appointment and object on reasonable grounds if necessary.  In the event of such a sub-contract, the Domestic Energy Assessor shall remain fully liable for the due performance of its obligations under these conditions.

11.          Time Bar

Any claims against the Domestic Energy Assessor shall be deemed to be waived and absolutely time barred upon the expiry of one year from the submission date of the report to the Client.

12.          Document retention

The Company shall retain all data, correspondence, documents and records that have a bearing on the services provided to the Client for a period of 7 years after completion of the service.  The client will be given the right to have their own disclosed documentation returned by the Company or destroyed upon completion of the service.

13.          Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law and the Client submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts or Arbitration in London, England.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from enforcing in any country an award made by the above exclusive jurisdiction.

Complaints

EPC Swansea / BWheeler OpCo LTD (the “Company”) requires all members of staff and contractors, who are sole principals, partners or directors of firms that offer energy performance inspection services to the public, to have in place a complaints handling procedure meeting an agreed minimum standard.

In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from an individual member of the Company or a surveying firm where at least one partner or director is a member of the Company, you should ask for details of their complaints handling procedure and the individual appointed to manage complaints.

We set out below the procedure that the Company will follow in dealing with any complaint:

1. The Company will deal with any complaints you may have. If you have a question or if you would like to make a complaint, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the contact details above, or in writing to EPC Swansea c/o BWheeler OpCo LTD, Suite 16, Rees-Jones House, 63A Courtney Street, Manselton, Swansea, SA5 9NR

2. If you have initially made your complaint verbally – whether face-to-face or on the phone – please also make it in writing, addressed to the Company at the address provided above.

3. Once we have received your written complaint, the Company will contact you in writing within seven days. At this stage we will give you our understanding of your case. We will also invite you to make any further comments that you may have in relation to this.

4. Within twenty-one days of receipt of your written summary the Company will write to you, to inform you of the outcome of his investigation into your complaint and to let you know what actions will be taken.

6. If you remain dissatisfied with any aspect of the internal handling of your complaint, then we can discuss whether we can agree to go to mediation according to either the accreditation scheme of the energy assessor or an arbitration service.

7. If you are still unhappy with the result of any of the above, you can refer your complaint to the Arbitration Scheme if it falls within the scope of the Scheme. This Scheme is operated by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Dispute Resolution Services from whom you can obtain details.