Retrofit assessment
A retrofit assessment is the process of surveying, inspecting, assessing and recording the relevant characteristics of an existing dwelling ...in order to provide sufficient information for the preparation of a retrofit. This role is mentioned in PAS 2035, which is the British Standard for retrofitting dwellings, first published in 2019, and most recently in 2023, it outlines how retrofit projects should be managed and delivered.
Figures by the Trustmark from November 24, indicate that some 225k retrofit assessments have already been carried out in the UK. Following the PAS standard a piece of work regarding a standard for UK retrofit was started by RICS and published in their document 'Residential retrofit standard: RICS Professional Standard UK, as a 1st edition in March 2024, effective from 31 October 2024.
The BS 40104 Assessment of dwellings for retrofit, will effectively formalise and expand on this work, the new British Standard with effectively replace clauses 8.2-8.6 of the PAS 2035 document and will add clarity and context to other sections if so required. The current broad scope structure of the BS 40104 Assessment of dwellings for retrofit as developed by the CB/401 BSI Committee - Retrofitting Energy Efficiency Measures is as follows (for updates follow the BSI link above):
| Context - how the dwelling should be inspected and reported on |
|
| Condition - the assessment of the condition of the dwelling and defects including: |
|
| Occupancy - focussing on the two main facets of occupancy described in PAS 2035: |
|
| Ventilation - Key to healthy homes is a functional ventilation strategy, as such a comprehensive understanding of the dwellings existing ventilation system should recorded, this includes (see also Annex C of PAS 2035): |
|
| Energy Performance - The energy performance characteristics of the dwelling. |
|
| Significance - The architectural or historical context of a dwelling is key to the provision of a sensitive retrofit. Where a dwelling is, or forms part of, a protected dwelling (Listed, part of a conservation area or within a world heritage site for example) or traditional (defined as “constructed with solid brick or stone walls, or timber-framed walls with any infill”), then it should be treated in a specific manner as part of the retrofit assessment: |
|
| Reporting - encompassing the data above provided in a standardised format and may include: |
|
| Qualifications - |
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Alterations to existing buildings.
- Do the building regulations apply to works to existing buildings?
- Demolition.
- Material amendment.
- Material change of use.
- Minor material amendment.
- Non material amendment.
- Change of use class.
- Planning permission.
- Permitted development.
- Principal designer.
- Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
- Retrofit project roles.
- Types of works to existing buildings.
Featured articles and news
PPN 021: Payment Spot Checks in Public Sub-Contracts
Published following consultation and influence from ECA.
Difficult Sites: Architecture Against the Odds
Free exhibition at the RIBA Architecture Gallery until 31 May.
Designing Buildings reaches 20,000 articles
We take a look back at some of the stranger contributions.
Lessons learned from other industries.
The Buildings of the Malting Industry. Book review.
Conserving places with climate resilience in mind.
Combating burnout.
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.