Retrofit is growing rapidly in the UK. Due to ambitious energy targets, our domestic homes are in dire need of retrofit on a huge scale. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has recognised the need for these projects to be carefully regulated. Thus, they have created the first-ever RICS Residential Retrofit Standard.
What Is The Residential Retrofit Standard?
The RICS Residential Retrofit Standard is a professional framework which sets out mandatory and recommended requirements to guide RICS members when they embark on residential retrofit projects. It is designed to compliment PAS2035, not to replace it in any way. Instead, the standard will provide extra guidance for energy professionals on how to conduct their projects in an effective, safe and professional way. No matter what the client needs, this standard is designed to equip energy professionals to handle the situation. This will help uphold a higher standard of work in a growing industry. It will come into effect from the 31st of October 2024.
You can download the RICS Residential Retrofit Standard here.
How Was It Developed?
Larry Russen (a Fellow of RICS and a chartered building surveyor) authored the standard. His decades of expertise was combined with the help of a working group of energy professionals, surveyors, lenders, real estate agents and academics. Also, RICS held a public consultation which played a huge part in the final draft. Stakeholders shared their valuable insights to shape the specifics of the standard. All of these elements worked together to create something that addresses the current state of the industry and fits in with other extant guidance.
Why Is The Residential Retrofit Standard Important?
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimates that residential retrofits need to increase to a rate of 500,000 per year by 2025, and one million per year by 2030 to meet the government’s net-zero target. Hence, retrofit professionals are going to have a huge impact on the people of this country over the next few years. That is why it is so important they are working to standards which will ensure safety, efficiency and professionalism. This will protect millions of energy professionals and homeowners over the coming years.
A Career In Retrofit
If you are not currently qualified in retrofit, you may be considering getting involved in this exciting space. Projected figures call for thousands more retrofit professionals to carry out much-needed work nationwide. Now is a great time to take a course and get started in the industry!
Energy Trust has trained thousands of successful energy professionals over the past decade. You can hear from some of these individuals by taking a look at our reviews. Whether you are new to the industry or developing existing skills, we have training options to suit you. Book your space online, or give us a call at 0333 012 0002 for more information.
