The result
A live housing site needed EPCs issued plot by plot, aligned with completion dates, with no delays to handover or legal completion.
ATSPACE delivered a controlled EPC process, kept SAP inputs aligned with as‑built reality, and issued EPCs in sequence with the handover programme so sales and sign‑off were never held up.
Project snapshot
Service: New build domestic EPC assessment
Client: Regional housebuilder + principal contractor
Site: Willowbank Quarter, 1–46 Alder Grove, Northampton NN4 9BX
Development: 46 new build detached and semi‑detached homes
Energy approach: SAP assessments with as‑built updates, airtightness test evidence, ventilation evidence
Programme stage: Rolling completions over 10 weeks
ATSPACE delivery: SAP updates, as‑built evidence capture, EPC lodgements, plot tracking, handover‑pack support
Team: ATSPACE energy assessor team + compliance coordinator
Why EPCs were becoming a programme risk
The build quality was strong — the speed and coordination were the problem.
On rolling handover sites, EPC delays almost always come from:
- the design intent drifting from the as‑built reality
- product substitutions not captured
- ventilation, heating and lighting changed late
- missing insulation, heating or airtightness evidence at plot close‑out
For the client, the risk was immediate and commercial:
No EPC = no handover, no legal completion, no sales progression.
What a new build EPC assessment actually involves
An EPC for a new build is based on:
- SAP design data
- as‑built evidence
- airtightness results
- heating + control details
- ventilation strategy
- glazing + insulation specification
The EPC is only as accurate as the evidence provided.
The real job is controlling inputs, not just generating certificates.
What ATSPACE was asked to do
- issue EPCs plot by plot in line with rolling handovers
- keep SAP/EPC outputs aligned to as‑built conditions
- reduce admin burden through simple evidence capture
- prevent late surprises that force recalculations
- provide certificates in handover‑ready format
What ATSPACE did
Step 1: Plot tracking aligned to programme
We created a tracker tied directly to completion dates so EPC work moved with the build.
Each plot followed clear gates:
- design set confirmed
- as‑built evidence received
- airtightness result recorded
- final SAP check
- EPC lodged + issued
This removed uncertainty and eliminated the end‑of‑project scramble.
Step 2: As‑built evidence made simple
We issued a short, practical checklist focusing on items that move SAP:
- insulation type + installation confirmation
- heating system + controls
- window/door specification
- ventilation approach
- airtightness results
- substitutions recorded by plot
If evidence capture is complicated, it doesn’t happen.
We made it site‑friendly.
Step 3: Rapid handling of plot variations
This phase had normal levels of variation, such as:
- lighting substitutions
- heating‑control changes
- ventilation fan model changes
- glazing changes by elevation
ATSPACE captured these early so they didn’t become late‑stage shocks.
Step 4: Issue EPCs in planned batches
Instead of issuing all EPCs at the end, we delivered them in controlled batches aligned with the handover sequence.
This prevented EPCs becoming the critical path.
Problems faced and how they were solved
Problem 1: Product substitutions not logged clearly
Small changes were agreed informally, causing SAP drift.
Fix: Introduced a simple plot variation log so substitutions were captured once and applied consistently.
Problem 2: Airtightness results arriving late
Often the last key input.
Fix: Prepared plots to the final stage so EPCs could be issued immediately once results arrived.
Problem 3: Evidence scattered across emails/photos
Evidence existed — but was not centralised.
Fix: Standardised evidence into a single plot pack per house type.
Outcome
The site achieved smooth EPC delivery fully aligned with handover.
Project outcomes
- EPCs issued in time for handover
- reduced admin workload
- fewer last‑minute SAP changes
- cleaner compliance packs
- reduced risk of completion or sales delays
Common mistakes this project avoided
- leaving EPC work to the final week
- relying on drawings instead of as‑built evidence
- missing substitutions that affect SAP
- waiting for airtightness before starting SAP updates
- issuing EPCs only at the end instead of with rolling completions
CTA
If you need EPCs delivered plot by plot without holding up handover or sales, ATSPACE will manage the EPC process properly, keep SAP inputs aligned with as‑built evidence and issue certificates in step with your programme.
Ask for
- new build domestic EPC assessment
- plot tracking + evidence capture support
- EPC issue aligned to rolling handovers
- compliance‑pack support
Frequently asked questions
When is an EPC needed?
Before sale or letting, and as part of handover documentation.
Why do EPCs get delayed?
Missing as‑built evidence, late specification changes, and failure to update SAP after substitutions.
Can EPCs be issued plot by plot?
Yes — and it works best when evidence capture and tracking are set up early.
