State the outcome before the product
An intended renovation, programme requirement and comfort concern can lead to different evidence needs. Tell the assessor what the project is trying to achieve and who will use the records.
Include condition concerns
Known damp, leaks, ventilation issues and defects should be disclosed. The interaction between building fabric and services matters when later work is considered.
Name the next roles
Assessment, coordination, design and installation are different responsibilities. The quotation should say which role is being commissioned and what outputs are included. An assessment alone does not award funding or guarantee a finished rating.
A short preparation list
- Describe the intended programme or renovation.
- Provide the existing EPC and relevant building records.
- List known moisture, condition or ventilation concerns.
- Confirm required outputs with the person coordinating the project.
Share what is available and explain anything that cannot be accessed safely. Leave equipment covers, gas fittings and unsafe spaces untouched.
Before the instruction is agreed
Check that the full address, work and expected output match the property. Say whether the assessment concerns one unit, several dwellings or a shared system. A previous report can be useful without proving that the new instruction has the same scope.
Keep a note of the questions still to resolve: the evidence needed, professional role, access arrangements and whether follow-up work is separate. Ask the team to explain a gap before attendance rather than relying on an assumption.
Put the next step in the right place
Use the service brief for the included output and exclusions. Use the booking or quotation form for the property details. Keep the eventual assessment with the address records; this guide is preparation material rather than a report on the building.