A retrofit assessor carries out the detailed survey of your home before any energy-efficiency work begins. If you are having insulation, a heat pump or other measures installed through a government-backed scheme such as ECO4 or another grant, the assessment is the starting point — it captures the true condition of your property so that whatever is installed actually suits it. This page explains what the role involves and why it protects you.
What a retrofit assessor does
Under PAS 2035 — the overarching British standard for domestic retrofit — the assessor gathers and records the information the project needs before decisions are made. In practice that usually means:
- Assessing the building – construction type, insulation, heating, ventilation, windows and the overall condition of the fabric.
- Checking for risks – existing or potential damp, condensation and mould, which the wrong measures can make worse.
- Noting how the home is used – occupancy and heating patterns, so improvements match the way you actually live.
- Producing an assessment, often alongside an Energy Performance Certificate, that the retrofit coordinator relies on to plan the work.
Why it matters to you
The assessment is what stops a one-size-fits-all fix being bolted onto your home. Insulating a property without understanding its moisture behaviour, for example, can trap damp and cause real harm. A proper PAS 2035 assessment means the measures are chosen for your building, not the other way round — and it is a requirement for government-funded schemes, so skipping it should be a warning sign.
The assessor feeds their findings to the retrofit coordinator, who oversees the whole project. Before agreeing to work, it is reasonable to ask who is carrying out your assessment and to check that the firm is registered with TrustMark. You can read more about home energy schemes across our energy and water section and the funding available through renewable energy grants.