Commercial EPC in 2025: Prices, Rules, and Everything Businesses Need to Know (Full Guide)

A Commercial EPC is one of the most important legal documents for landlords, business owners, shop operators, and property managers in 2025. But the problem many people face is simple: commercial EPC information online is confusing, outdated, and not written with real business needs in mind. Prices vary massively, some websites hide costs, others use generic ranges that don’t reflect real market conditions, and almost none explain what truly affects the price or how to get a certificate quickly without overpaying.

This guide fixes that.
It is designed to be the most complete and transparent Commercial EPC guide in the UK, written for people who want clear answers, fair pricing, and a fast, accurate certificate.

Whether you own a café, manage an office, run a warehouse, oversee a portfolio, or simply need an EPC for compliance, this guide will walk you through everything:

• What a Commercial EPC is

• Legal requirements in 2025

• How the assessment works

• Your exact pricing (transparent and fixed)

• How new EPC rules and industry changes affect price

• What documents help reduce cost

• How long it takes

• What affects your rating

• MEES and compliance issues

• The areas covered across London and the South East

• The fastest way to get an EPC without delays

This is the single most complete Commercial EPC resource available anywhere online. It has been written to outrank every competitor by being more helpful, more transparent, and more detailed.

What Is a Commercial EPC?

A Commercial EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) measures the energy efficiency of a non-domestic building. Unlike domestic EPCs, which use RdSAP, a commercial EPC uses SBEM modelling — a detailed, technical method that analyses how a building uses energy across separate “zones.”

Commercial EPCs are required for:

• Shops and retail units

• Offices

• Industrial units

• Warehouses

• Restaurants and cafés

• Takeaways

• Gyms

• Workshops

• Mixed-use spaces (e.g., shop + flat)

• Public buildings

• Commercial premises of every size

You must have a valid EPC when selling, letting, or renewing a lease.
If you advertise a property without one, you risk fines and compliance issues.

But beyond legal requirements, EPCs matter because:

• They influence rental value

• They determine MEES compliance

• They highlight inefficiencies that increase running costs

• They help future-proof buildings

• They guide refurbishment or upgrade planning

Commercial EPCs last 10 years unless the building changes significantly.

Why Commercial EPC Prices Increased in 2025

You may have seen commercial EPC prices increase across the UK over the last 12 months — and there are real reasons for this.

Even though RdSAP 10 technically applies to domestic EPCs, the industry has seen:

• Longer site visits

• More data collection

• Higher insurance and software costs

• Increased modelling time

• More pressure on EPC assessors to deliver accurate, compliant reports

• Rising travel and operational expenses

As a result, many EPC companies reviewed all pricing — domestic and commercial.
Commercial EPCs were already more complex, so the new industry environment pushed many assessors to update pricing to stay sustainable.

Our pricing remains mid-market: not the cheapest (cheapest EPCs often use unqualified subcontractors) and not overpriced. We maintain fixed, transparent rates that reflect the actual time and expertise required while keeping costs fair.

Commercial EPC Prices in 2025 (Transparent and Fixed)

Here is our full commercial EPC pricing structure — clear, simple, and based on real building sizes. No hidden fees. No unexpected add-ons.

Small Commercial Units

• Up to 25 sqm — £159.00

• 26 to 50 sqm — £199.00

Medium Commercial Units

• 51 to 150 sqm — £249.00

• 151 to 250 sqm — £299.00

• 251 to 500 sqm — £349.00

Large Commercial Units

• 501 to 750 sqm — £459.00

• 751 to 1000 sqm — £550.00

Over 1000 sqm

Due to complexity, mixed systems, multiple zones, and SBEM modelling time:
Custom quotation (still mid-market and highly competitive).

Why these prices are fair

• They reflect SBEM modelling workload

• They include assessment time, data collection, travel, software fees, and certification

• They cover engineer-level assessment of HVAC systems

• They remain below most London EPC brokers who take commission on top

This pricing structure is designed for businesses that want accuracy, speed, and professional compliance without inflated fees.

What Affects the Cost of a Commercial EPC? (Full Breakdown)

Most companies only explain building size. In reality, cost is influenced by eight real-world factors, which we detail below so you understand exactly what you are paying for.

1. Building Size (m²)

The larger the building, the more complex the zoning, the more measurements required, and the longer the modelling time.

A 25 sqm shop may take 20 minutes to survey.
A 900 sqm warehouse may take several hours.

2. Complexity of Layout and Use Class

SBEM divides buildings into “zones.”
These might include:

• Storage areas

• Open offices

• Meeting rooms

• Kitchens

• Customer areas

• Changing rooms

• Multi-floor sections

More zones = more modelling = higher cost.

3. Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems

Commercial buildings often have:

• Gas boilers

• Hobs

• Heaters

• Split AC units

• VRF systems

• Air handling units

• Extract systems

• Mechanical ventilation

Each system must be measured, photographed, documented, and modelled in SBEM.
More equipment = more time.

4. Available Documentation

If you provide:

• Floor plans

• Elevations

• HVAC information

• Operation hours

• Lighting types

…the assessor completes the survey faster and more accurately.

5. Access and Survey Conditions

Cluttered storage rooms, locked areas, or areas under refurbishment add time.

For example:

• A busy restaurant during lunch rush

• A warehouse with restricted forklift zones

• A shop with inaccessible stockrooms

These require additional coordination and time.

6. Location and Travel Time

Some EPC companies increase fees significantly within Central London.
We do not inflate — but time, congestion, parking, and travel logistics still matter.

7. Urgency (Same-Day or Next-Day Certificates)

Same-day or next-day EPCs require priority modelling.
It is possible — especially for small and medium units — but requires focused time.

8. Mixed-Use Properties

If a property contains:

• A shop at ground floor

• A flat above

…the EPC must be split into:

• Commercial EPC for the shop

• Domestic EPC for the flat

This increases assessment time.

If you need a simple summary of EPC requirements across property types, our Commercial EPC Guide

How Long Does a Commercial EPC Take?

The average times are:

Small units:

Survey: 20–45 minutes
Certificate: Same day or next morning

Medium units:

Survey: 45–90 minutes
Certificate: 24–48 hours

Large units:

Survey: 2–4 hours
Certificate: 48–72 hours

Same-day EPCs available

For small and medium units, same-day certificates are often possible if access is straightforward.

Case Study  — 240 sqm Retail Unit in Bromley

A real example demonstrating price, timing, and result.

Property: Two-floor retail unit, Bromley
Size: 240 sqm
Challenge: No existing plans, cluttered stock area
Solution: Full on-site measurement + SBEM zoning
Turnaround: Survey completed in 75 minutes, certificate issued next-day
Rating Outcome: Improved from G to E due to lighting and control upgrades
Price Bracket: £299 (151–250 sqm band)

What this shows:
Medium-sized commercial spaces can be delivered quickly and still meet MEES with simple, low-cost improvements.

Case Study 2 — 620 sqm Warehouse in Croydon

A strong example of a large-unit scenario.

Property: Light industrial warehouse, Croydon
Size: 620 sqm
Challenge: Old heating system + limited documentation
Solution: Manual measurement + detailed SBEM modelling
Turnaround: Survey: 2 hours / Certificate: 48 hours
Rating Outcome: D rating achieved
Price Bracket: £459 (501–750 sqm band)

What this shows:
Large commercial EPCs remain affordable when priced by size — and even older buildings often meet regulations if zoned correctly.

What Happens During the Survey? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Businesses rarely know what assessors actually examine. Here is the full step-by-step process.

Step 1 — Site Inspection

The assessor checks:

• Building dimensions

• Layout

• Zoned areas

• Insulation levels

• Walls and roof types

• Glazing and window type

Step 2 — Heating & Cooling Data Collection

This includes:

• Boilers

• Radiators

• Storage heaters

• Heat pumps

• Split air conditioning

• VRF

• Ventilation systems

Each system is documented.

Step 3 — Lighting and Controls

Commercial EPCs require:

• Lighting type

• Controls

• PIR sensors

• Timers

• Luminaires

Step 4 — SBEM Modelling

This is the detailed desk-based part where the building is modelled digitally and calculated.

Step 5 — Rating Calculation

The EPC result (A to G) is generated.

Step 6 — Recommendations

The assessor provides suggestions for improving the rating.

Step 7 — Certificate Issue

You receive the certificate in PDF format, lodged on the official EPC Register.

Understanding MEES Regulations (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards)

MEES regulations require most commercial buildings to have E rating or above when being let.

If your rating is F or G:

• You may not legally let the property

• You may need to carry out improvements

• You may qualify for exemptions

Knowing your rating early avoids costly delays.

How to Improve a Commercial EPC Rating

Here are the improvements that make the biggest difference:

1. Lighting Upgrades

LED lighting can significantly improve EPC ratings.

2. Heating and Cooling Efficiency

Replacing old boilers or installing efficient VRF systems improves scores.

3. Controls and Thermostats

Timers, thermostats, and zoning controls reduce wasted energy.

4. Roof and Wall Insulation

Industrial units benefit from insulation upgrades.

5. Air Tightness and Ventilation

Reducing heat loss increases performance.

6. Installing High-Efficiency HVAC Units

Modern systems greatly enhance performance.

These improvements are optional — but extremely useful if you want to increase property value or meet MEES requirements.

Areas We Cover for Commercial EPCs (Extensive Coverage)

We provide commercial EPC assessments across London and the South East, including:

• Croydon

• Bromley

• Sutton

• Merton

• Greenwich

• Westminster

• Central London

• City of London

• South London

• Lewisham

• Lambeth

• Southwark

• Wandsworth

• Kingston upon Thames

• Mitcham

• Morden

• Norbury

• Thornton Heath

• Purley

• Crystal Palace

• Beckenham

• Streatham

• Balham

• Clapham

• Tooting

• Epsom

This wide coverage ensures fast appointments and reliable turnaround for businesses of all sizes.

We also offer dedicated pages for specific locations, including Commercial EPC Bromley and Commercial EPC South London for faster turnaround and local pricing information

Commercial EPC vs Domestic EPC — Full Technical Difference

Most guides barely explain this. Here is the real difference:

This explains pricing, time difference, and why commercial EPCs require more detailed expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions (Commercial EPC FAQ)

How long is a commercial EPC valid?

10 years.

Can you fail a commercial EPC?

You cannot “fail” — but an F or G rating triggers MEES issues.

Do I need a Commercial EPC for a new lease?

Yes — it is a legal requirement.

Do I need one for selling?

Yes.

How fast can I get a commercial EPC?

Often same day for small properties; usually within 24–48 hours.

What documents help?

Floor plans, HVAC details, lighting information, access to all areas.

Do mixed-use buildings need two EPCs?

Often yes — one domestic, one commercial.

Can you complete an EPC without drawings?

Yes — the assessor will measure everything manually.

How much does it cost?

From £159 for small units up to £550 for large 1000 sqm units.

If you’re comparing options or booking for the first time, our No.1 EPC Services in Croydon page explains how our local service works step-by-step.

Conclusion: Getting a Commercial EPC in 2025 Is Easy When You Have the Right Information

This guide has covered every detail businesses need to know, including:

• What a Commercial EPC is

• Legal rules and MEES compliance

• Full, transparent pricing

• What affects the price

• What to expect during the survey

• What documents help

• How long it takes

• Improvements that boost ratings

• Area coverage

• FAQs

With clear pricing, fast turnaround times, and wide regional coverage, obtaining a Commercial EPC has never been simpler or more transparent.