Meeting Demand: The RICS Residential Retrofit Standard

With a vital role in the maintenance of standards across the built environment. A world class reputation. And one one of the tastiest logos in the industry - the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) launches it's energy efficiency standards for professionals working on retrofit projects in a consumer guide.

Whilst charity and other professional bodies lean in to helping consumers understand the concept of energy efficiency, the routine home improvement of homes, to retrofit them, has gained a thorough consumer focussed set of standards for professionals at a variety of levels to use. Why is this important?

The standards have been around for a year and enforceable from 31st October 2024. But this is now a consumer guide - a bit clearer than the 81 page tome professional have to read!

PAS 2035 already get's used by surveyors who work on the retrofit of residential properties, but the surveyor, if a member of RICS - has a added layer of support and standards to adhere to.

These represent a degree of oversight that make sure a retrofit customer is ensuring they are getting the very best service, advice and work.

The RICS Residential Retrofit Standard - What It Means to A Home Owner

The retrofit standards are a benefit to consumers too, because;

• Retrofit measures already defined in PAS 2035 will have another layer of checks and balances defined in the RICS documentation.
• The RICS standard enhances the quality and delivers a guarantee of professionalism which is enforceable and accountable.
• RICS members offer impartial but mandated standards of support which means unneccessary energy efficiency measures which could damage a property can be avoided.

Will The RICS Standards Delay Your Retrofit?

We don't think so. A RICS surveyor does not complete the retrofit works.

However consumers and organisations who have a choice between a chartered professional will feel more confident by someone who has membership or at the very least adheres to the standards set by RICS.

As RICS is an international organisation, the retrofit agenda has the potential to be developed in a wider, global context.

Anyone who has received a through home buyers report with their house purchase knows the residual confidence that comes with the level of detail and time spent on a report - this can only inspire further confidence in the shaky reputation of some retrofit measures.

Are All RICS Surveyors Trained?

No. They aren't. But they can get training through their own chartered organisation.

More importantly, a trained RICS surveyor isn't going to deliver you a set of measures (they don't fit them!) and then leave it there, they'll be looking to follow up after your measures are added to check measures are working; using BS40101 principles to inform the post retrofit assessment.

Again, this make it clear that RICS is approaching retrofit in a holistic way, delivering confidence to consumers starting their retrofit journey that standards both before, during and after retrofit are being met.

Do The RICS Standards Make A Difference?

There is a few instances in the last year that have made consumer confidence falter when it comes to retrofit measures even in the light of positive news which as always reported less. So the endorsement, active management and vitally, enthusiasm from RICS means consumers can feel more confident.

In the private market, having confidence in the measures you are thinking of applying is difficult to gauge, because still, even now in 2025 there is too much information in disparate locations.

The established reputation of RICS and it's members is encouraging with this consumer focussed guidance one what RICS members can offer directly to consumers.

What About When Things Change?

Some Surveyors have been members of, and are experienced in retrofit groups and associations that align with their RICS membership.

Those professionals will have knowledge of the new and novel products reaching the retrofit market.

Bio materials feature heavily in the new list of products currently queued in the SAP approval process in the UK, currently managed by the Building Research Establishment.

The RICS standard and it's associated training could and should encourage UK based solutions, especially those new and novel approaches we have coming through regulatory processes.

This organisation has managed change through a tumultuous period change in British Housing and the next step to encouraging and informing consumers can only be applauded.

Completed with assistance from luminaries including Emma Fletcher from Octopus Energy;

"Delighted to support the RICS producing this consumer guide, to assist everyone who owns or occupies a home. This guide has been prepared by surveying professionals who, whilst having a deep understanding of the technology and data, have managed to translate their learning into simple measures on how to occupy our homes more efficiently, alongside helpful signposting to where guidance and funding may be available. The need for retrofit or upgrading homes is evolving quickly and this guide is one to bookmark as this sector continues to mature."