10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Retrofit

You've done your research on energy efficiency measures and quick fixes. Now you're thinking about taking the next step to transform your home's comfort and efficiency. Here are the key questions to consider as you plan your project.

1. Which home energy improvements will actually work for my home?

Every property is unique - there are many types of homes built at various times in the last 100 years and earlier with specific requirements that need careful consideration. Start by listing your home's specific issues - cold rooms, drafts, high bills. This helps focus your planning and ensures improvements target real problems.

With this in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to home energy efficiency so it's important to understand what you're working with before you spend money on making improvements. A professional survey can spot opportunities you might miss and identify potential issues before they become expensive problems.

2. Where should I start with energy efficiency improvements?

Energy efficiency measures are interconnected—they're part of a whole-house system. For example, new insulation affects your home's ventilation, while heating performance depends on insulation levels (amongst other things). It's also important to consider the order of improvements. Installing things in the wrong sequence can lead to unnecessary costs and complications later. Taking a whole-house approach helps ensure your improvements work together effectively.

3. How do I avoid costly mistakes when upgrading my home?

The real price of energy efficient home improvements has the potential to significantly exceed the initial cost—fixing mistakes can be expensive. Adding insulation without adequate ventilation, or choosing the wrong materials can cause damp, mould and air quality issues. With that in mind it's important to plan carefully and get things right first time. Getting professional advice early in your planning can help you avoid these costly mistakes and ensure improvements are done in the right order.

4. How much does a home retrofit cost in the UK?

It's estimated that the 'average' retrofit project costs £35,000. Some projects cost more, but many customers also choose to spend between £10,000 and £20,000. You can also make meaningful efficiency gains spending much less. Whilst it may be appealing to speak to installers and ask for quotes, this process can be time consuming. It's often better to consider your long list of options alongside rough estimates of their costs to decide which improvements to speak to installers about. With expert advice you can quickly review a long list of options and save a significant amount of time consuming (and often confusing) research.

5. Which energy efficiency improvements are value for money?

Energy efficient home improvements deliver multiple benefits beyond saving money on your bills. Your home will feel warmer and more comfortable, with no more cold drafts or damp corners to worry about. You'll notice better air quality throughout, and problems with mould become a thing of the past - great news for your family's health. These improvements can increase your property's value too, sometimes by over 10% when you achieve an EPC rating of C or above. Plus, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

Considering which of these benefits matter most to you when setting your budget and priorities can be a bit of a balancing act. An independent expert can bring their professional opinion and expertise to help you evaluate the options and make informed decisions

6. What savings can I expect from energy efficiency improvements?

Energy efficient home improvements can cut energy bills to less than half their original level, though not all homeowners see such savings and payback periods will vary. While energy bill savings alone might take time to offset the initial investment, combining this with improved comfort, increased property value, and environmental benefits often makes improvements worthwhile sooner. Understanding these trade-offs helps you make informed decisions about timing and scope.

7. How can I find and verify quality installers?

Finding and managing multiple installers is often one of the most challenging parts of a retrofit project. Managing multiple installers means coordinating conflicting schedules, comparing different specifications, and ensuring each installers work fits with another's.

While you can start by checking accreditations (like TrustMark or MCS for renewable technologies), reading reviews, and asking to speak with previous customers, this process can be time-consuming. When comparing quotes, you'll need to ensure each one covers the same work and materials - and cross checking them to a specification.

Working with an independent expert means someone is fully focused on protecting your interests - from getting like-for-like quotes to ensuring quality work. They can introduce trusted installers they've previously worked with and use their technical expertise to obtain and compare quotes accurately.

8. How disruptive is a retrofit project?

Disruption varies by the improvement in question - installing underfloor insulation or heating will impact your household more than fitting solar panels on your roof. That said, the disruption associated with energy efficient home improvements is typically contained to short periods—usually a few days to a week at a time.

Professional project management means someone is coordinating deliveries, managing trader schedules, and resolving issues before they impact your daily routine. For instance, when installing internal wall insulation, a project manager ensures plastering work is scheduled immediately after insulation fitting, minimising the time your room is out of action.

This coordination is often far less disruptive than major structural building work and renovations. A coordinator can help minimise disruption through careful scheduling and contractor management, while also being on hand to quickly resolve any challenges that arise during installation.

9. Is now the right time to install low carbon technology, like an air source heat pump?

Energy efficiency technology is in a great place, with proven solutions available for most homes. While technology will continue to improve, the benefits of acting now and seeing benefits sooner can outweigh waiting for future tech developments. Starting your planning process now, possibly with expert guidance, helps you understand your options and create a clear pathway forward—whether you decide to proceed immediately or phase improvements over time.

10. Should I aim for Passivhaus or EnerPHit standard?

While these standards represent the highest levels of energy efficiency, reaching them can take time and significant investment. For most homeowners, a more pragmatic approach balancing comfort, cost, and carbon reduction is more accessible. Professional advice can help you understand whether these standards are feasible now, possible via a phased approach, or whether there is a more suitable target for your home.

Taking Your Next Steps

Now you understand the key considerations for your retrofit project, here's how to move forward with confidence:

1 - Document your priorities - comfort improvements, bill reduction, environmental impact...

2 - List specific issues in your home that need addressing

3 - Consider your budget and timeline

4 - Seek independent expert advice early - this small upfront investment can save significant time and money by:

• Getting a professional assessment of your home's needs
• Creating a clear plan that works for your budget
• Ensuring improvements are done in the right order
• Managing the project so you can focus on your daily life

Remember, successful retrofits aren't about installing individual measures - they're about taking a planned, whole-house approach to deliver lasting benefits while avoiding costly mistakes.

Ready to start planning your retrofit with confidence? Get a quote for a survey, advice and home energy plan here.