Energy and insulation

BER assessment

A building energy rating survey and certificate, which a sale or a let needs by law.

Whether this needs a licence in Ireland

Ireland

Licence required

Registered BER Assessor

Registered BER Assessor, issued or supervised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Ask for the registration number before the work starts and check it on the public register. Check the register: www.seai.ie

Wording approved by Talqero; not yet reviewed by a solicitor

Sustainable Energy Authority of Irelandwww.seai.ieChecked 11/10/2026

BER assessment: what the job involves

A Building Energy Rating survey by an SEAI-registered assessor, who measures the home, records its insulation, windows, heating and ventilation, and publishes a BER certificate (A1 to G) with an advisory report. A BER is required by law to sell or let a home, and after any SEAI-grant work.

Also asked for as: BER cert · BER assessor · BER certificate · energy rating house · BER for selling house

How the job is usually done

Book the assessor and gather what you have: plans, receipts or certificates for insulation, windows, boiler, heat pump or solar panels.
The assessor surveys the home: measures every floor, wall, window and door, checks the attic and the heating system and photographs the evidence.
Where there is no proof of hidden insulation, the assessor has to use default values for the age of the house, which lowers the rating.
The assessor calculates the rating in SEAI’s DEAP software.
The assessor publishes the BER on SEAI’s register and sends the certificate and advisory report.
The BER number goes into any sale or rental advert and, for a grant, into the SEAI claim.

BER assessment: what is included

Usually included

The site survey and measurements
The DEAP calculation and publication on the SEAI register
The BER certificate and advisory report

Usually not included — agree it separately

Any energy upgrade the advisory report recommends
A technical assessment for a heat pump grant, which is a separate service
An airtightness test, unless asked for

Materials and who supplies them

The assessor’s survey equipment
The homeowner’s documents: insulation certificates, window invoices, boiler and heat pump details, solar paperwork

How long it takes

The survey usually takes one to three hours depending on the size of the home; the certificate usually follows within a few working days.

When to book

Book it before a home goes on the market or to let, since the advert must carry the rating from the start.

BER assessment: the rules in Ireland

What the official sources say, checked against them on the date shown. A summary, not legal advice — follow the link to read the rule itself.

A home offered for sale or rent must have a BER, and the rating must appear in every advertisement for it.
Applies to: the seller or landlord, and their agent
European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 243 of 2012) · irishstatutebook.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Only an assessor registered with SEAI may carry out a BER and publish the certificate; SEAI is the issuing authority and runs quality assurance of assessors.
Applies to: the assessor
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, under S.I. 243 of 2012 · seai.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
An SEAI-grant upgrade is not paid until a BER by a registered assessor has been published after the works.
Applies to: the homeowner
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland · seai.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

Grants

SEAI contribution to the post-works BER
SEAI contributes €50 towards the BER required after grant-aided works.
Who qualifies: Homeowners claiming an SEAI individual energy upgrade grant.
seai.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

What ber assessment costs, and why

What jobs on Talqero came to

Not enough comparable jobs yet to publish a range here. Talqero shows a price range only once at least five comparable jobs, agreed prices or offers exist — a range from fewer would describe a handful of jobs, not the market. Post your job and compare the offers you get.

What affects the price

Size and complexity of the home: extensions, rooms in the roof, mixed heating
House or apartment
How quickly it is needed
Travel to the property
Whether evidence of hidden insulation has to be found and recorded
VAT: building work on a home is charged at the reduced rate of 13.5% by a VAT-registered business — unless the materials come to more than two-thirds of the price, when Revenue’s two-thirds rule applies the goods rate to the whole job. Ask whether a quote includes VAT.

Paperwork to ask for at the end

The BER certificate with its number and rating
The advisory report with recommended upgrades
The listing on SEAI’s public BER register, which anyone can check with the BER number

Safety

The assessor needs to look into the attic and at the boiler; clear safe access to both before the visit.
Check the assessor’s registration on SEAI’s register before letting them start.

BER assessment: before you hire

Questions to ask a tradesperson

What is your SEAI BER assessor registration number?
What evidence of insulation and upgrades should I have ready?
When will the certificate be published?
Will you explain the advisory report?

What you can do yourself

Not possible: only an SEAI-registered BER assessor may produce a BER, though gathering receipts and certificates beforehand can improve the result.

What to put in your task

What is the BER for?
What type of property is it?
Roughly how big is it?
Has it been extended or had the attic converted?
When do you need the certificate?

Photos that help

The front of the property
The boiler or heat pump, with its label visible
The attic insulation from the hatch
Any insulation, window or solar paperwork you hold

Energy and insulation

Need ber assessment? Describe the job.

Post it once, free. Professionals near you reply with their own price and when they could start. You choose, and pay them directly.

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Questions about ber assessment

Does ber assessment need a licence in Ireland?

Yes. Registered BER Assessor, supervised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Source: www.seai.ie. Ask for the registration number and check it on the public register. Wording approved by Talqero; not yet reviewed by a solicitor.

How long is a BER valid?

A BER is generally valid for ten years, unless the home is changed in a way that affects its energy performance. After grant-aided works a new BER is needed anyway.

Why is my BER worse than I expected?

Usually because hidden insulation could not be proven, so the assessor had to use default values for the age of the house. Receipts, certificates or photographs taken during the works make a real difference.

Do I need a BER to let a room in my home?

A BER is needed when a home is offered for sale or for rent. For renting a room in your own home, check the SEAI guidance or the citizens information page on BERs for your case.

How do I check an existing BER?

Enter the BER number or the address details on SEAI’s public BER register. It shows the rating, its date and the assessor.

Often booked with ber assessment

Insulation installers