How much does an EPC cost in the UK?
An EPC certificate costs £60 on average in the UK. Most jobs fall between £35 and £120 for the certificate. Property size: Flat or 1 to 2 bed £35 to £60, 3 bed house £45 to £75, 4+ bed or large property £60 to £120. Prices reviewed June 2026.
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) usually costs between £35 and £120 in the UK, with most homeowners paying around £60. Price depends mainly on property size, your location and the assessor you choose.
EPC certificate cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your EPC certificate in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
EPC certificate cost breakdown
Typical EPC certificate costs, by option:
| Property size | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Flat or 1 to 2 bed | £35 to £60 |
| 3 bed house | £45 to £75 |
| 4+ bed or large property | £60 to £120 |
What's included in the price?
Typical EPC certificate prices include:
- A visit from an accredited domestic energy assessor
- A room-by-room inspection of the property, taking roughly 45 to 60 minutes
- Measurement of walls, windows, insulation and heating systems
- Your energy efficiency rating from A to G
- A lodged certificate valid for 10 years
- Recommended improvements with rough cost and saving estimates
What changes the price?
The things that move EPC certificate prices most:
Property size, the single biggest factor, as more rooms take longer to assess
Your region, with London and the South East charging the most
Whether you book direct or through an estate agent, who often add a markup
How quickly you need it, as next-day slots cost more
Property type and age, since older or unusual homes are more complex
How the price is built up
The fee covers the assessor's site visit, the software used to calculate your rating and the cost of lodging the certificate on the national register. Larger homes cost more because the inspection takes longer and captures more rooms, windows and heating detail. Booking through an estate agent usually adds a referral fee on top of the assessor's base rate. An EPC is almost entirely a service fee for the assessor's time and accreditation, with no materials involved.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Check the free government EPC register first, since a valid 10-year certificate may already exist for your home
- Book direct with an independent accredited assessor rather than through an estate agent to avoid the referral markup
- Get three quotes, as prices for the same property can differ by £30 or more
- Avoid paying for next-day rush slots unless your sale or letting genuinely cannot wait
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, an EPC certificate typically costs around £80, about 30% above the UK average of £60. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £55.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £35 | £60 | £120 |
| London | £45 | £80 | £160 |
| South East / South West | £40 | £70 | £140 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £30 | £55 | £110 |
Guide prices for the certificate, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
EPC certificate cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £30 | £50 | £100 |
| Birmingham | £35 | £60 | £120 |
| Bristol | £40 | £65 | £130 |
| Cardiff | £35 | £55 | £110 |
| Edinburgh | £35 | £60 | £120 |
| Glasgow | £30 | £55 | £110 |
| Leeds | £35 | £55 | £110 |
| Liverpool | £30 | £55 | £110 |
| London | £45 | £80 | £160 |
| Manchester | £35 | £60 | £120 |
| Newcastle | £30 | £55 | £110 |
| Sheffield | £30 | £55 | £110 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for EPC certificate, not quotes.
Assessors in London and the South East charge the most, while the Midlands, the North, Wales and Scotland are typically £20 to £40 cheaper.
Common questions
How much does an EPC cost in 2026?
EPC prices range from about £35 for a small flat to £120 for a large detached home, with most people paying around £60. There is no government-fixed price, so assessors set their own fees. Booking direct with an independent assessor is usually £20 to £40 cheaper than going through an estate agent, who tends to add a referral markup.
When do I legally need an EPC?
An EPC is a legal requirement whenever you sell or let a home in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. You must have a valid certificate before the property is marketed, and it must be shown to prospective buyers or tenants. Failing to provide one when selling or letting a home can lead to a £200 fine per dwelling, so budget the £35 to £120 in advance.
How long does an EPC last?
EPCs last 10 years from the date they are lodged, and you can reuse the same certificate for multiple sales or lettings within that period. Check the free government EPC register first, since you may already have a valid one and can avoid paying again. A new EPC only becomes worth the £35 to £120 once your existing certificate has expired or you have made improvements worth recording.
What is the minimum EPC rating for landlords?
Landlords in England and Wales currently cannot let a property rated below E under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, unless a valid exemption applies. On 21 January 2026 the government confirmed that private rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC C by 1 October 2030, with a spending cap of £10,000 per property. Getting an up-to-date EPC, at £35 to £120, shows where a rental stands against these rules.
Why do EPC prices vary so much?
EPC prices vary because there is no fixed rate and property size drives the cost. A one-bed flat might be £35 to £60, while a four-bed house can reach £120 because the assessor measures more rooms, windows and heating. Location matters too, with London assessors charging more than those in the North or Wales. Estate agent referrals also add a markup over booking direct.
How can I improve my EPC rating cheaply?
EPC ratings improve fastest with low-cost changes such as swapping to LED bulbs, topping up loft insulation to 270mm and fitting a smart or programmable thermostat. Draught-proofing and a modern condensing boiler also help. These steps often cost £200 to £600 combined and can lift a home by a full band, which matters if you are working towards the EPC C rental target for 2030.
Can I get an EPC for free?
If the property has been assessed in the last ten years, its existing certificate is free to view on the government's EPC register, and it stays valid until it expires. A new assessment is not free: expect £35 to £120 depending on the size of the property. Be wary of free EPC offers bundled with estate agency or energy deals; the cost is usually recovered elsewhere.
Can you do an EPC assessment yourself?
No. An EPC can only be produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor, who lodges it on the national register. What you can do yourself is prepare for the visit: dig out paperwork for insulation, glazing, the boiler and any solar panels, because evidence the assessor can see or verify usually means a better rating and avoids a repeat visit.
Official guidance and sources
The rules and schemes referenced on this page come from these official UK sources. The price figures are Costwise's own; see how we price.
- Energy Performance Certificates GOV.UK · An EPC is required to sell or rent a home and is valid for 10 years.
- Get a new energy certificate GOV.UK · How to get a new EPC from an accredited domestic energy assessor.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.