Draft EPCs: know your rating before you spend
The short answer
A draft EPC is our own way of helping with improvement projects, not a standard product. We survey your home exactly as for a full EPC but hold off lodging it, then model the improvements you’re considering under RdSAP 10 – so you see what each would do before you spend a penny.
How it works
From first chat to final EPC.
1
Have a chat
Tell us what you’re thinking of doing. No obligation.
2
Draft EPC and modelling
We survey the home, set an accurate baseline and model your options.
3
Installers we rate, if you want them
Your choice. We don’t sell installations.
4
Final EPC lodged
We revisit, update the assessment and lodge it with every improvement recorded.
Who it’s for
Landlords, sellers and improvers
Landlords planning for band C by 2030, sellers who want the best honest rating before marketing, and homeowners weighing up insulation, solar or a heat pump.
What you get
An accurate baseline and real numbers
Your home’s rating today under RdSAP 10, and what each improvement you’re considering would do to it – from our own modelling, not generic estimates.
Why it matters
Don’t plan from an old certificate.
Many older EPCs contain errors, and most pre-date the RdSAP 10 method. An inaccurate starting point means inaccurate plans – and money spent on work that doesn’t move the rating.
Accurate baseline
Evidence researched and every improvement already made counted.
Modelled options
See the effect of each measure before committing.
Independent
We assess homes; we don’t sell installations.
Recorded properly
Your final EPC captures the work you’ve done.
The full detail
At HIVE EPCs, we offer a unique Draft EPC service that helps landlords across East Kent prepare their rental properties for the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)—without committing to a lodged certificate straight away.
What Is a Draft EPC?
A Draft EPC is a technical, non-lodged version of an Energy Performance Certificate. This service allows you to see your property’s likely EPC rating before it’s submitted to the Government register. It gives landlords a powerful head start—enabling us to provide pinpoint guidance as to what improvements and upgrades would push a borderline property into MEES compliance without risking a failed lodgement.
Why Choose a Draft EPC?
Many landlords only find out their property fails to meet MEES after an EPC has already been lodged—by then, it’s too late to take corrective action without penalties or delays.
With a Draft EPC from HIVE EPCs, you benefit from:
- A full technical EPC assessment using RdSAP 10 standards
- No lodgement on the government register until you’re ready
- Targeted upgrade advice to boost your EPC rating cost-effectively
- A proven path to MEES compliance before it becomes a legal issue
- Our hands-on support every step of the way
Whether you’re aiming to rent out your property, refinance, or simply future-proof it—our Draft EPC service helps you make the right improvements the first time.
A Specialist Service – Backed by Results
This is a specialist, niche service that sets HIVE EPCs apart. We’ve helped countless landlords across Canterbury, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Ramsgate, Deal, Sandwich, and surrounding towns achieve EPC compliance quickly and stress-free—when standard EPC assessors couldn’t.
With a 5-star Google rating and a track record of getting properties over the line, we’re the go-to EPC provider for landlords who want accuracy, flexibility, and results.
Serving All of East Kent
We proudly cover:
Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs, Folkestone, Hythe, Faversham, Whitstable, Herne Bay – and everywhere in between.
Wherever you are in East Kent, we’ll get your property on the path to EPC compliance—smarter and sooner.
Landlords
Planning for band C by October 2030?
A draft EPC shows the cheapest route for each property.
Reviews
5.0 from 45 Google reviews.
5 out of 5 stars
“He was very thorough and friendly and explained what he was doing.”
Wendy G. · Google review
5 out of 5 stars
“Excellent service. Quick, efficient and super friendly. Thanks Tom!”
Melanie A. · Google review
5 out of 5 stars
“Professional and knowledgeable service. Gave me advice on what to do in order to reach a higher rating, which was surprisingly simple.”
Glen A. · Google review
Questions
Draft EPCs, answered.
Is a draft EPC an official certificate?
No. It is our own approach: the survey is done to full EPC standard, but we don’t lodge it straight away. When you are ready – usually after improvements – we update and lodge your final EPC.
Why not just use my existing EPC?
Older certificates often contain errors and most pre-date the RdSAP 10 method, so they are a poor basis for planning improvements.
Do you recommend installers?
If you want them, we can point you to installers we rate. It is entirely your choice – we don’t sell installations.
Is it worth it for a small job?
For a simple loft top-up, maybe not. Call us and we will tell you honestly whether a draft EPC is worth it for your home.
Ask about a draft EPC.
Office hours: we call back within minutes. Out of hours: we email, usually within the hour.
Rather talk now? 01304 626457