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SHW's work included:

• Undertaking Planning application including supporting drawings

• Further drawing works to review and agree proposed designs

• Appointing Structural Engineer and incorporating their design work into larger project

• Producing Building Regulations plans and related information and engaging local Registered Building Control Approver to achieve appropriate levels of compliance and oversight

• SAP/EPC Assessment of property and integration of requirements to achieve lettable EPC

• Review of energy sources in relation to EPC requirements

• Review of electrical installations and adaptations to use existing three phase supply split between flats

• Application and works monitoring for new water supply

• Scheduling and tendering of works to local contractors

• Formal appointment and Contract Administration services throughout works

• Sound testing of completed refurbishment to meet Building Regulations requirement

In the end, all parts of the original property were completely removed and replaced. The internal walls were rebuilt to create brand-new layouts tailored for residential living.   A compact outdoor area was added, and the size of an existing window was enlarged to allow access through new patio doors. New kitchens and bathrooms, as well as all new electrical and plumbing systems were installed and all internal surfaces renewed. All external redecoration and repair work has also been finished.

Following completion of the works and formal registering of the new flat addresses, new Tenants swiftly occupied both.

One item arose to illustrate that ‘every day is a school day.’ Our client wished to convert the property to full electrical power and heating, intending to remove the existing gas boilers.  However, after review by the EPC Assessor, it was determined that this building could only achieve a lettable EPC grade if the current gas boilers were replaced with new, more efficient gas combi boilers. All attempts to achieve a lettable EPC going ‘full electric’ failed when run through the statutory software, even if considering adding a new photovoltaic solar system to the roof. It turns out that residential EPC software factors in the cost of power to the eventual user of the property and this does not factor in the same way for commercial EPC calculations.  Since electrical power units cost roughly three times more than gas during the assessment, new gas boilers had to be installed. Although there is consistent sympathy for occupiers, could it be that well-meaning efforts to enhance sustainability and lessen our impact on the world are actually being hindered by the very tools designed to encourage this mindset?  In addition, what is the result for residential Landlords should the software calculation algorithms change in the future? Are Landlords going to have to convert their properties further at the proper time, when the next EPC is due, or will there be some consideration for this?