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Homeowners

Your Home Energy Survey: What to Expect

Your booking email has brought you here so you know who will arrive, how long the visit usually takes, what the surveyor will check, and what happens afterwards.

Most visits take 1–2 hours, depending on the property and survey type. You do not need technical knowledge or special paperwork for the visit to go ahead.

Two routes

Two common ways a survey starts

The person who arranged the survey determines who receives the completed survey pack and who handles the next stage.

Route 1

My installer booked this survey

Your installer is usually setting the scope, using the survey report for design and quoting, and staying your main contact for system options and price.

  • Your installer normally receives the completed survey pack.
  • Keep any access or timing issues visible early.
  • Contact your installer first for project changes or rescheduling where possible.
Route 2

I want a survey before speaking to installers

Some homeowners want site information first so they can speak to installers with clearer facts and fewer unknowns.

  • We confirm scope, lead time, and final quote before booking.
  • The resulting report can then be shared with installers you choose to approach.
  • The visit is still there to record the property, not sell to you.
Survey day

Choose the visit shown in your booking

An air source heat pump survey and a solar PV survey check different parts of the property. Your booking confirmation should say which visit has been arranged.

ASHP or heat loss Solar PV Combined visit
Air source heat pump

What happens during an ASHP and heat-loss visit

The surveyor follows a set route through the property. They measure and photograph the details that affect heat loss, the existing heating system and where a heat pump could be installed.

  • Outside walk-round: property elevations, access routes, wall construction and thickness, extensions, conservatories and anything that changes the exposed fabric are recorded.
  • Room-by-room check: the surveyor records room dimensions and floor type, then measures windows, external doors and radiators. Photos show the room, glazing and emitters so the designer can check the measurements.
  • Heating and hot water: the boiler or present heat source, data plate, controls, pipework, underfloor heating, secondary heating and hot-water cylinder are recorded. Space for a replacement cylinder is measured where required.
  • Loft and insulation: where it is safe to enter, the surveyor records loft access, insulation depth and coverage, roof construction, rafters and usable height.
  • Electricity and energy use: the meter, main fuse and consumer unit are photographed, including the incoming supply and spare ways. A recent energy bill helps confirm usage and tariff details.
  • Heat-pump position: possible outdoor-unit locations are photographed and measured. The record covers delivery access, ground or wall mounting, drainage, pipe and cable routes, and distances to doors, windows, boundaries and neighbouring windows.

If an EPC is included: we also need access to every part of the dwelling that affects the assessment. That includes all rooms, windows and external doors, heating and hot-water controls, the cylinder, loft insulation, extensions, conservatory, meters and fixed lighting. Please show the surveyor any reliable evidence for hidden insulation or later improvements; claims that cannot be seen may need documents or customer confirmation.

Solar PV

What happens during a solar and battery visit

The surveyor concentrates on the roof, electrical supply and a workable route for the equipment. They do not normally need to measure every room.

  • Outside and roof overview: the surveyor photographs the property and each usable roof face from safe positions. Drone images may be taken when the booking, weather and location allow.
  • Roof measurements: roof direction, pitch, eaves and ridge heights, roof covering and scaling measurements are recorded. Chimneys, vents, rooflights, trees, neighbouring buildings and other shading or obstructions are photographed.
  • Access and scaffold planning: the route around the property, fragile or restricted areas and anything that could affect scaffold or installation access are noted.
  • Loft and roof structure: if included and safely accessible, the surveyor photographs the underside of the roof, visible structure and possible cable entry route.
  • Electrical supply: the electricity meter, service head, main fuse and consumer unit are photographed so the installer can review the supply, phase and available space.
  • Equipment and cable route: possible inverter, battery, gateway, sub-board and earth-rod positions are recorded, together with Wi-Fi context, clearances and the cable route between the roof, meter and equipment.

If solar panels, an inverter or a battery are already installed, the surveyor also records the existing equipment and how it connects to the property.

Combined survey: both routes above apply. The surveyor will need access to the rooms, heating and hot-water equipment, loft, electrical equipment, roof views and proposed outdoor locations. Combined visits, larger homes and properties with extensions or several roof areas can take longer than the usual 1–2 hours.

Arrival

The scope is confirmed first

The surveyor will introduce themselves, check what has been booked, ask about access and explain where they need to work before starting.

Evidence

Photos and notes support planning

Photos show the relevant equipment, access, layout and constraints. They are technical evidence for the job, not marketing photos.

Safety

Checks stay within safe access

The surveyor records what can be inspected safely. A solar survey does not mean the surveyor will walk on the roof, and unsafe or blocked areas may need follow-up evidence.

After the visit

What happens when the survey is finished

Installer booking

The survey pack normally goes to your installer

Your installer uses the evidence for design, quotation, and next-step decisions. Contact them for the proposed system, price, installation date, or changes to the project.

Direct booking

Delivery is confirmed when you book

If you booked directly with Vertex, we confirm the agreed scope, recipient, and expected delivery before the appointment.

Preparation

Prepare only for the survey you have booked

You do not need to prepare the whole house for a solar visit, and solar roof checks are not normally part of a heat-loss-only booking.

Prepare for ASHP

Make the heating areas accessible

  • Allow access to every room included in the survey; open blinds or curtains and keep windows, external doors and radiators visible.
  • Clear stored items from around the boiler or heat source, hot-water cylinder, heating controls, consumer unit and electricity meter.
  • Make the loft hatch safely reachable and tell us beforehand if access needs a special ladder or is restricted.
  • Unlock gates and clear likely outdoor-unit positions and the route back to the heating system.
  • If an EPC is included, have any evidence for insulation, extensions or improvement work available. An existing EPC, plans and a recent energy bill are helpful if you have them.
Prepare for solar

Make the roof route and electrics accessible

  • Unlock relevant gates and clear safe views of the front, side and rear roof areas.
  • Move vehicles or bins if they block the roof view, access route or possible scaffold position.
  • Clear access to the electricity meter, service head and consumer unit so labels and equipment can be photographed.
  • Make the loft hatch and possible inverter, battery or gateway areas accessible if they are in scope.
  • Show the surveyor any preferred or restricted cable routes and where the broadband router is located.
  • Have a recent electricity bill or annual usage figure available if convenient.
Every visit

Keep the practical details simple

  • Keep an adult available to answer property questions and provide access.
  • Tell us in advance about pets, locked gates, parking issues or firm timing limits.
  • You do not need special paperwork for the visit to go ahead.
  • The surveyor confirms the booked scope before starting.

How photos and privacy are handled

  • Photos are taken to document the property for technical planning.
  • They stay focused on the job, not personal possessions.
  • If something sensitive is in view, mention it and the surveyor can usually reframe the shot.
  • Sample material does not contain customer-identifiable details.

What the surveyor can answer on the day

The surveyor can explain what they are recording and why a particular area or measurement is needed. Final system design, equipment choice, installation price, finance, and installation dates are normally confirmed later by the installer or designer using the completed survey evidence.

Who to contact about what

If your installer arranged the survey, they should usually remain the first contact for project scope, system options, price, and rescheduling. Vertex is the right contact for access questions, privacy questions, or anything that affects the survey visit itself.

Ready to book? You can request a survey and we will confirm what is included before you commit.

Homeowner guides

Plan the next step with clearer information

Straightforward guides for EPCs, heat loss, heat pumps, running costs, grants, and the evidence that helps installers quote properly.

Check

How to check EPC rating

Find the official register entry for the property and check what the current certificate says.

Battery cost

Solar battery cost UK

Storage cost ranges, retrofit complexity, and whether battery size makes sense for the home.