BREEAM

BREEAM stands for the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method. As the UK building industry moves towards a zero carbon future, tighter and tighter standards are needed to ensure new buildings are meeting a higher calibre of construction to minimise environmental impact. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) sets the assessment methods and quality standards by which buildings are tested. Although there are subtle differences between the two, these broadly break down to the Code For Sustainable Homes (CFSH) for residential buildings and BREEAM for commercial properties. An accredited BREEAM assessor, such as Melin Energy, analyzes your plans and your construction methods with a view to awarding your building a score which could be PASS, GOOD, VERY GOOD or EXCELLENT.

What's in it for me?

If you're planning a building on any Government owned land, or your project is benefiting from a Government grant, a BREEAM assessment is generally a requirement. In terms of other projects, it's regarded as best practice and a BREEAM rating could reap rewards in terms of reduced letting voids and increased return on investment.

How do I get a BREEAM certificate?

The good news is you don't have to get your head around all the ins and outs that go into your next project to attain a BREEAM certificate – that's what we're here for. Melin Energy can help you make all the right moves and avoid common pitfalls to ensure your building project meets BREEAM standards. The earlier in your design process you contact us the better. That way we can advise you on good BREEAM practice before the site starts. Once these methods have been followed, we'll assess the building and BRE (The Building Research Establishment) issue a certificate based on strictly laid-out criteria.

How much will it cost?

Achieving certification for your design doesn't mean huge additional expense. Here are a few examples to illustrate the build costs you can expect to achieve.