A step-by-step guide to the BREEAM pre-assessment process
With more and more buildings being constructed, sustainable development is no longer just encouraged – it’s expected. In fact, a recent report from NBS suggests that 70% of construction projects in the UK now incorporate sustainability targets.
Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), BREEAM is one of the most widely-used methods for measuring the sustainability performance and environmental impact of a building. If you’re aiming for BREEAM certification, it might also be worth considering a BREEAM pre-assessment, as this helps set a clear pathway toward meeting the criteria.
In today’s blog, we walk you through the BREEAM pre-assessment process, so you know exactly what to expect at each step.
What is a BREEAM pre-assessment?
A pre-assessment is an essential first step in the BREEAM process, helping to identify the potential rating your project can realistically obtain. It involves reviewing any early-stage design information against the relevant BREEAM criteria, offering a clear picture of how your project will align with the BREEAM standards before any design decisions are finalised.
Why is a BREEAM pre-assessment important?
There are several advantages to conducting a BREEAM pre-assessment, especially if you’re aiming for a higher BREEAM rating such as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Outstanding’.
The key benefits of a BREEAM pre-assessment include:
- Allows you to agree on a realistic BREEAM rating early on in the process
- Provides detailed insights into which BREEAM credits are available and how to achieve them
- Enables you to make informed design decisions that align with BREEAM criteria
- Identifies any challenges that could impact your certification score, so you can address them early on – helping to save time and reduce the need for costly redesigns later down the line
- Offers valuable educational input to help your team better understand the requirements and opportunities from the outset
- Provides advice on BREEAM credits that are RIBA critical and otherwise not achievable at later RIBA stages
What does a BREEAM pre-assessment involve?
A BREEAM pre-assessment typically involves the following steps:
1) Initial liaison
Your chosen BREEAM assessor will liaise with key members of your project team. The purpose of this liaison is to ensure that all parties understand the project brief, timelines, constraints, and ambitions prior to the pre-assessment meeting.
Our expert BREEAM assessors work closely with you from the moment you enquire, ensuring that we have a clear grasp of your project and wider sustainability objectives. This allows us to plan a pre-assessment that is specifically tailored to your site and certification goals.
2) Gathering and reviewing information
Once all relevant parties have discussed the project and expectations have been set, your BREEAM assessor will request all relevant information about your project. This could include site layout plans, planning constraints, existing planning conditions, and any early-stage design proposals. Obtaining this information prior to the pre-assessment meeting allows the assessor to review any potential problem areas ready for discussion at the meeting.
At Encon Associates, we take the time to review all key information, ensuring no opportunities or risks are overlooked. We will look for any specific areas where early design input could enhance your BREEAM score, so you can make informed decisions from the outset.
3) Pre-assessment workshop
Upon receiving all relevant data, your assessor will then organise a full pre-assessment workshop with your design team. The pre-assessment workshop is a thorough analysis of your project against the BREEAM criteria. It involves reviewing each applicable BREEAM credit and assessing how viable they are based on your site specifics and any known constraints. The pre-assessment is usually undertaken via Teams, however a face-to-face pre-assessment can be arranged if required.
At Encon Associates, we don’t just tell you what’s possible – we clearly explain why. We outline the technical and commercial implications of each credit, so you can prioritise credits that are achievable and avoid wasting time on unrealistic targets. Our workshops are specifically tailored to your team’s experience and familiarity with BREEAM. We endeavour to answer any questions your architects, engineers, and other specialists may have, so that everyone leaves with a clear understanding of what’s required and why it matters.
4) Drafting the pre-assessment report
The next step in the BREEAM pre-assessment process is drafting your report. This document outlines your predicted BREEAM score and any recommended measures needed to obtain specific credits and early agreed actions going forward. The final pre-assessment report will provide detailed credit commentary against the discussed actions. Although the pre-assessment process is a standalone service, it is completed on the IES TaP system. Therefore, it is a live, working document that can be refined as your project formally progresses (if you choose to engage with us post pre-assessment).
Every pre-assessment report we produce contains clear data without overly-complex jargon. This ensures that all key stakeholders can easily digest the information, paving the way for a successful formal BREEAM assessment going forward.
5) Pre-assessment submission
The pre-assessment report will then be provided to your design and construction teams ready for the next steps in the assessment process. Sometimes, credit areas may be incomplete due to the lack of information at the time – however, your assessor will clearly explain the rationale behind each credit choice and clarify any changes that need to be made to achieve these credits.
6) Refinement and feedback
Any refinements or feedback your team may have can be incorporated going forward via the live IESTAP system. It’s important that this final document addresses everyone’s needs, as it will become a key reference point for your designers going forward.
At Encon Associates, we deliver thorough BREEAM pre-assessment reports that help to anchor your building design decisions and shape your procurement strategies. We can then move swiftly into the full BREEAM assessment and will work closely with you to ensure you achieve your target score, as set out in the pre-assessment report.
Looking to achieve BREEAM certification for your development?
Our licensed BREEAM assessors and BREEAM APs have over 18 years’ experience in conducting a huge range of BREEAM assessments for all building types, as well as BREEAM pre-assessments. From the initial consultation to your final certification, we offer clear advice and guidance to keep your project on track.
Get in touch today to discuss your BREEAM pre-assessment requirements.
Encon are not your usual BREEAM consultancy. They are at the forefront of their peers, and have provided us and our clients with clear direction, guidance to deliver 2 “outstanding” schemes, with another 2 in the BRE Pipeline. The director level involvement throughout the process means you have real time access to a fantastic array of experience, guiding the team to step through the BREEAM process from design to delivery. The adjacent streamlined services in support of the submissions provides a one stop shop seamless delivery. We will look forward to working with them on many future projects.
