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Building Compliance

SAP Calculations & Assessments

SAP Calculations in accordance with Building Regulations Part L. All SAP Calculations are comprehensive and include U-values, Reports for Building Control, and advice and specifications to ensure compliance. Vision Energy will work with each project from the design stage all the way to completion to ensure the project runs as smoothly as possible.

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Building Compliance Full design stage and as-built SAP calculations EPC certificates for new build and conversion projects U-value calculations for all construction elements Building Control compliance reports

SAP Calculations & EPC Certificates

Vision Energy will work with you on your building project from design stage all the way through to completion, from single dwellings to developments with 100+ dwellings. We strive to ensure that all SAP calculations are completed to achieve compliance as well as providing cost-effective and feasible solutions to ensure the smooth delivery of your project.

How our SAP assessments work throughout the design and build process?

Vision Energy recommend carrying out your SAP calculations at a design stage, however if your dwelling/s is already complete don’t worry, we can still carry out your SAP calculations at an ‘as-built’ stage, below outlines the step by step process Vision Energy will take to ensure compliance to Building Regulations Part L1a & L1B,​

Initial Design Review – Vision will review the plans and information provided within architectural drawings or specifications

Design Stage SAP Calculations – Design calculations will be carried out to review the compliance to all elements in Building Regulations

Design Review & Alterations – Were required, Vision will advise on any alterations that are required to the design of the dwelling/s to comply with Building Regulations Part L1a, ensuring that the design alterations are cost effective and feasible on site,​

Design SAP Calculations & Predicted EPC – Vision will issue the design stage calculations and predicted EPC for submission to Building control/Local Authority​

As-Built SAP Calculations Review – Once the construction of the dwelling/s is nearing completion, Vision Energy will review the construction details compared to the design SAP Calculations to ensure the dwelling/s have been built to the specification, If any alterations have been made, Vision will rerun the calculations and review compliance​

As Built SAP Calculations & EPC – Once the review has been complete and confirmed, Vision Energy will issue and lodge the As-built SAP Calculations & EPC for submission to Building Control/ Local Authority

Elements Assessed During SAP Calculations

When SAP Calculations are carried out on any dwelling, a number of factors are used to calculate the energy cost and CO₂ emissions:

  • Thermal efficiency of walls, floors and roof elements
  • Thermal efficiency of glazing and doors
  • Boiler efficiency and heating system type
  • Hot water system and cylinder insulation
  • Renewable and low-carbon technologies (solar PV, heat pumps)
  • Air permeability and ventilation strategy
  • Lighting and internal heat gains

Our SAP Assessment Service Includes

  • Dedicated energy assessor — ensuring an efficient, friendly service throughout your project
  • Free U-values for wall, floor and roof elements
  • Commitment to achieve compliance without costly or unnecessary solutions
  • Fast turnaround available to meet your deadlines
  • Design stage through to as-built sign-off

Can SAP Calculations fail?

The assessment process for SAP Calculations isn't a simple pass or fail exercise. However, it is possible that the proposed specifications for your development may not meet Part L of Building regulations. SAP calculations review compliance against three main criteria for the overall development carbon emissions, primary energy and fabric efficiency. all three of these must meet the standards in Part L to comply and ideally all u-values meet compliance and all minimum efficiencies for building services met.

What happens if the SAP Calculations don't meet Part L? This is where our consultants come in, we don't simply tell you its failed and issue the calculations across, we will then work with you to understand the key elements that aren't meeting compliance and put together a feasible and cost effective route to ensuring compliance, these recommendations and measures are always easier at a design stage and so getting the SAP calculations carried out early in the design stage is best practice.

Can anyone complete SAP Calculations?

No, for an assessor to be able to undertake SAP Calculations they must be an accredited On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA) and be registered with an accreditation body. The accreditation body ensures quality standards are met with audits on assessments and CPD requirements for any assessor under the scheme. All consultants who carry out SAP Calculations at Vision Energy are qualified OCDEA's and independently registered with Elmhurst Energy Accreditation.

How much do SAP Calculations cost?

The cost of SAP Calculations can fluctuate depending on the size of the development and the number of house types on the proposed site. but as a guide we have shown some estimated costs for SAP Calculations,

As a general, fees for SAP Calculations across the market can vary, but our costs are built in to ensure that our consultants have the correct level of time to ensure high quality assessments and advice to ensure the best solution for your project is reached.

  • Extension SAP Calculations - starting at £285+VAT
  • Single new build SAP Calculations - starting at £285+VAT (plus £35+VAT for EPC lodgement on completion)
  • Multi dwelling scheme with 1 house type e.g. 10 houses all with the same design - Starting at £285+VAT for the first dwelling and £50+VAT for every dwelling afterwards

How long do SAP Calculations take?

for Vision Energy, our standard turnaround times are approximately 2 weeks, this time is the total time process to complete our process, we have outlined this process below for a clear rundown

  • initial project review to understand if any additional information is required for the project, your assessor will then let you know exactly what is required
  • Once we have all of the information returned for the scheme, the assessor will begin work on the geometry calculations, compliance reviews and reports
  • On completion of the calculations and report the assessor will discuss any areas that need improvement or any non-compliances that need addressing
  • Once we have a final confirmed compliant set of calculations, the assessor will issue across the full SAP calculations, including all required reports for Building Control and an additional project specification outlining all specfications used with the calculations to ensure an easy and clear overview for use on site, in tenders etc.

Why Vision Energy?

Vision Energy was established in 2018 and have been offering high quality, technical calculations across the built environment ever since. We pride ourselves on being highly technically proficient and our consultants can use their building physics and building regulations knowledge the ensure that the SAP Calculations are accurate but also bespoke and tailored to your site rather than 'just getting a pass'. Our consultants are happy to work with you in any way from hands off approach and advice on all elements, jumping on a call to discuss next steps of becoming an integral part of the design process including design meetings and site visits.