Our paid-for surveys are for organisations that need clarity and confidence before committing to significant investment or applying for capital funding. They’re particularly suited to older or complex buildings, buildings with multiple spaces or uses, and organisations planning major works.

They’re designed to support real decision making not to generate compliance paperwork or projected savings figures that don’t reflect how your building actually performs.

Options

We offer two paid options, depending on building complexity

Option A: Single assessor survey

For simpler community buildings such as village halls with one main space and limited systems. One experienced CSE assessor carries out an on-site visit, discussion with those who manage and use the building, and produces a tailored written report with a follow-up conversation to help interpret and act on the findings.

The focus is on understanding the building and its users, and supporting proportionate, realistic decision making and next steps.

Option B: Joint survey (two person team)

For complex, multi use or higher risk buildings two members of the CSE team work together on the site visit, analysis and reporting. A two-person approach allows for a deeper perspective on complex issues, better understanding of how spaces are used, and challenge and reflection when weighing risks and options.

This approach is particularly valuable where buildings have multiple uses, known fabric issues, or where decisions carry higher financial or organisational risk.

How we work on site

When we carry out surveys, we strongly encourage a representative of the organisation or building to be involved during the site visit.

Rather than inspecting the building in isolation, we prefer to walk through the building together, explaining what we’re looking at and why, and listening to how spaces are actually used.

This allows us to:

• Understand day to day realities that aren’t visible from plans or data.
• Explain building behaviour, risks and constraints as we go.
• Share knowledge so organisations are better equipped long after the visit.

This is very different from surveys where assessors visit alone and later hand over a technical report with little explanation or discussion.

Follow up support and discussion

Our work doesn’t stop with a written report. We include follow-up support so organisations have the opportunity to ask questions, test assumptions, discuss options and reflect on what feels realistic in their situation. This is often where the most valuable learning happens.

How our offer differs from cheaper energy audits

Many energy audits recommend measures without properly accounting for a building’s condition, how it’s actually used, or whether those measures are suitable in practice. Our approach is different.

We focus on how the building performs in reality, whether it’s in a condition to safely receive new measures, moisture, maintenance and long-term risk, and what’s realistic given funding rules and organisational capacity.

This means we sometimes find uncomfortable but important issues such as repair or maintenance needs that must be addressed before any energy efficiency measures will work properly. Our aim is to help organisations avoid costly mistakes and make decisions they won’t regret.

Tailored reports

Our reports are tailored to the organisation and the building, reflecting how the building is used, its condition, and the realities of funding, maintenance and capacity. Our reports are tailored to the building and the organisation. Rather than a fixed list of actions, they focus on how the building performs in practice, key risks and constraints, options that may be appropriate over time, and trade-offs between energy efficiency, cost, disruption and long-term resilience.

Our reports don’t guarantee funding or delivery of any measures, provide a one-size-fits-all action list, or remove all risk from decision making. They’re intended to support informed choices, not promise outcomes beyond anyone’s control.

Location and availability

We work with community buildings across the UK, offering support in person and online depending on your needs and location. Travel costs and time may vary for in-person visits outside the South West; get in touch and we can discuss what works best for you.