Get a BER Assessment

Follow these steps to get a BER assessment carried out on your home.

Step 1: Find a BER assessor

BER assessments are carried out by independent registered assessors. You can find your local BER assessor through the SEAI National Register of BER Assessors.

As per Section 11 of the BER Assessor Code of Practice, a BER assessor must carry out assessments independently of all other suppliers of installers or energy related products or services and must be engaged directly by the building owner.

A BER assessor must not offer services as part of a larger project offering.

Step 2: Get a quote

Always request a quote and timeline for the completion of your assessment. We recommend you contact at least three assessors for a quote. Remember, any home upgrade works should be completed before your BER assessor surveys the dwelling.

Your chosen BER assessor should provide a description of the works they will carry out, through a signed contract or letter of engagement. This should contain:

• a description of the proposed services
• a quotation of the proposed costs (including VAT and expenses)
• the disclosure of all relevant business interests

Talk to your assessor

When talking to your BER assessor it's important to tell them:

• about any home improvement works that you have had done so they can tell you what documentation they need
• if you have had a previous BER assessment done or have a valid BER for your home

Step 3: Prepare your paperwork

Preparing all your documents and paperwork in advance of your BER assessment will reduce the time it takes to receive your BER Certificate and Advisory Report.

For an assessment of a new building, your assessor will need a considerable amount of documentation including for example, wall, roof and floor specifications and copies of certificates of performance for construction products and appliances installed in the property.

For an assessment of an existing building, you will need to provide your BER assessor with documentation of any upgrade works done to your property. Any documentation you may have regarding the original construction of the dwelling will also be beneficial.

Documentation includes certifications, receipts, invoices and/or specification documents from the architect, engineer or contractor who managed the works. These should clearly indicate the address of the property, the works carried out, and the products used.

If you cannot provide your BER Assessor with sufficient documentation of works on your home, they will use default values. Default values are based on construction type and the age of the building and are conservative estimates of the energy performance and as such, may result in your home receiving a lower BER rating than expected. Further information on how a BER is calculated is available here. Your BER assessor can advise you on the paperwork required to support your BER and you can download the homeowner’s checklist to assist you in gathering the required documentation.

We recommend you retain a copy of all information and documentation supporting the inputs in your BER. This is important information and should be retained by you for use in any subsequent BER ratings.

Homeowner's checklist

Download this checklist to prepare for your BER.

Step 4: Get your home ready

Give clear and safe access

To get an accurate BER assessment you need to give your assessor safe and clear access to all areas of your home. This includes the attic, lighting systems, ventilation, meter cupboards, heating systems and controls, hot press and all doors and windows.

During the assessment your assessor will collect information including documentation, measurements and photographic evidence of your home. This information is required to calculate and generate your BER report.

Always ask for proof of identification from your chosen BER Assessor before allowing access to your home.

Length of time

The amount of time required to complete a BER assessment will depend on the complexity of your home. Your assessor will tell you how long it will take to complete the assessment and when you will receive your final documentation.

Step 5: Receive the BER Certificate and Advisory Report

Once your BER assessment is complete, you will receive:

1. The BER Certificate. This indicates the BER rating of your home. Find out how to Understand your BER Rating.
2. The Advisory Report. This provides recommendations for the best energy-saving improvements for your home that could improve your BER rating. Learn more about the Advisory Report.

Your BER Assessor will tell you when you will receive these documents.

Important note for homeowners regarding the BER scheme

SEAI administers the BER system in accordance with the European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012. SEAI’s statutory functions include, among other things:

• registering BER assessors to carry out BER assessments
• issuing directions in relation to how BER assessments are to be carried out by BER assessors and how BER certificates are to be issued
• specifying the procedures, methodologies and software to be followed by BER assessors when carrying out BER assessments
• maintaining the national BER register and BER assessors register

In order to join the register, assessors must demonstrate that they have met pre-qualifications criteria (demonstrating relevant qualifications and/or work experience) and must have successfully completed a BER training course with a registered BER trainer. Further details on registration requirements are available here.

As part of the registration process, SEAI requires, among other things, that each BER assessor agrees to abide by SEAI's BER Assessor Code of Practice and to act with integrity and diligence to ensure that each BER assessment is executed competently, in an independent manner and in accordance with the Regulations, the Code of Practice and all other directions issued by SEAI. The BER assessor is required to carry out an assessment in full compliance with the published methodology and software.

Responsibility for BER assessments

While SEAI administers the BER system, the BER Regulations, the Code of Practice and the technical content issued to BER assessors by SEAI all make it clear that BER assessors are solely responsible for:

• carrying out BER assessments and verifying the accuracy of each data point in each BER assessment that they carry out
• submitting all required data upon completion of BER assessments
• ensuring that the data compiled and inputted into the calculation software is an accurate representation of all characteristics relevant to the energy performance of the building
• uploading complete assessments directly to SEAI’s National Administration System for BER Assessments for publication of BER certificates and advisory reports
• issuing BER certificates and advisory reports directly to their clients once they are accepted into the national BER register maintained by SEAI

It is the sole responsibility of the BER assessor for conducting BER assessments and the accuracy of the results of such assessments. SEAI accepts no liability or responsibility, for any error, omission or malpractice arising in the execution of a BER Assessment, carried out by a BER assessor, or for the negligent or otherwise wrongful act or omission by a BER Assessor or for a breach by a BER Assessor of the Regulations or of the Code of Practice for BER Assessors.

BER queries

If you have any queries regarding your BER Assessment, BER Certificate or Advisory Report, we advise you take the following steps:

1. Contact the BER Assessor directly as they have carried out the work and will be best placed to respond to any queries
2. Contact SEAI’s BER Helpdesk if you have any further queries or a complaint regarding your own particular assessment or if you have any general queries
3. Following contact with the BER Helpdesk, if you are still not happy you can make a complaint in accordance with the complaints process which is outlined in SEAI’s Customer Charter