A typical UK energy statement costs somewhere between £250 and £600 for a single dwelling or householder scheme, £500 to £1,500 for small residential developments, and £1,500 to £5,000 or more for major schemes — particularly in London, where the statement must evidence a 35% on-site carbon reduction and carbon offset calculations. Unlike planning application fees, there is no set national charge: the cost is consultancy work, and it scales with the amount of energy modelling behind the document.
This guide explains what you are actually paying for, what a compliant statement must contain in 2026, and where applicants waste money.
Energy statement cost: typical 2026 ranges
| Scheme type | Typical scope | Indicative fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single dwelling / householder | SAP-based baseline, energy hierarchy narrative, fabric and technology recommendations | £250–£600 |
| Small residential (2–9 units) | SAP modelling per dwelling type, Part L 2021 baseline, CO₂ savings at each hierarchy stage | £500–£1,500 |
| Major residential (10+ units) | Full energy strategy, plant options appraisal, overheating interface, policy compliance tables | £1,500–£3,500 |
| London major schemes | As above plus GLA energy assessment format, 35% SI2 target evidence and offset payment calculation | £2,500–£5,000+ |
| Non-domestic / mixed use | BRUKL (SBEM) modelling alongside domestic SAP, per-use breakdown | add £750–£2,500 |
Treat these as indicative market ranges rather than fixed prices — the honest answer to "how much?" is always "how much modelling does your council require?" These figures are for the planning-stage statement only; Building Regulations compliance calculations at technical design stage are usually quoted separately, though a good consultant will structure the work so the planning-stage SAP models are reused rather than rebuilt.
What drives the fee
- The number of dwelling types to model. The Part L 2021 baseline is calculated with SAP 10.2 against the notional building, unit type by unit type. Ten identical flats are cheap; ten bespoke house types are not.
- London Plan Policy SI2. Referable and most borough-level major schemes must follow the GLA's energy assessment guidance: a 35% on-site improvement over Part L, evidence at each stage of the energy hierarchy, and a carbon offset payment for any shortfall to zero carbon. Our London carbon offset calculator shows how the residual payment is worked out.
- Heating strategy decisions. A statement that compares heat pumps, networks and other low-carbon options — the Be Clean and Be Green stages — takes more analysis than one documenting a decision already made. See our comparison of heat pumps vs gas boilers in energy statements.
- Non-domestic floorspace. Commercial elements need BRUKL/SBEM modelling on top of SAP, effectively a second workstream.
- Local policy add-ons. Some councils ask for specific reduction percentages beyond Part L, others accept a proportionate narrative for minor schemes — the validation checklist dictates the scope, so read it before commissioning anything.
What a compliant energy statement must include
Whatever the price, a statement that gets through validation and determination in 2026 should contain:
- a Part L 2021 baseline — the notional building emission rate calculated under SAP 10.2 (with the transition to SAP 10.3 and the Home Energy Model on the horizon under the Future Homes Standard);
- the energy hierarchy — Be Lean (fabric and demand reduction), Be Clean (efficient supply and heat networks), Be Green (renewables), with CO₂ savings quantified at each stage;
- a site-specific renewables appraisal — roof area, orientation and constraints for solar PV, feasibility of heat pumps;
- policy compliance against the relevant local plan and, in London, Policy SI2's 35% target and offset arrangements; and
- clear carbon figures in tables, not prose — officers check the arithmetic.
If you are unsure whether your application needs one at all, start with our guide to what an energy statement is and when it's required — in London it is effectively universal for new-build, and councils across England increasingly require one for all new dwellings and larger extensions.
Where applicants waste money
- Paying for a bespoke strategy on a minor scheme where the council's checklist only asks for a proportionate statement.
- Commissioning the statement too early or too late. Too early and the design changes invalidate the modelling; too late and the statement documents a scheme that cannot hit the target, forcing redesign or higher offset payments.
- Ignoring the Part L / planning interface. If the planning statement promises measures the Building Regulations submission later drops, you risk a breach of condition. Keep one consistent energy model through both stages — and check which regulations apply to your timeline, as Future Homes Standard transitional arrangements will catch schemes registered from 2026 onwards.
- Buying an EPC and calling it an energy statement. They are different documents for different purposes, and validation teams reject the swap.
How Fortress Associates can help
Our energy statement service produces a free, site-specific energy statement for UK planning applications in minutes. It calculates a Part L 2021 baseline using the SAP 10.2 notional-building method, works through the full energy hierarchy — Be Lean, Be Clean, Be Green — with CO₂ savings quantified at each stage, and fetches site-specific solar and energy data at report creation. For London schemes it addresses the London Plan Policy SI2 35% on-site target and carbon offset contributions. It covers every UK local authority, for new homes, extensions, commercial and mixed-use schemes. Get in touch to discuss your project.
Sources & further reading
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