What Is a BREL Report?

BREL stands for Building Regulations England Part L. A BREL report confirms that a building meets the minimum energy efficiency and carbon emission standards set out in Part L of the Building Regulations.

BREL reports are generated using approved government calculation methodologies:

  • SAP for domestic buildings
  • SBEM for non-domestic buildings

The report compares the actual building performance against a notional target building defined by Part L.

When Is a BREL Report Required?

BREL reports are required for:

New Build Projects

All new buildings, domestic and non-domestic, require a BREL report to demonstrate compliance with Part L.

Extensions

Where an extension exceeds certain size thresholds or includes fixed building services, a BREL report may be required.

Conversions & Change of Use

-Office-to-residential conversions
-Commercial to residential developments -Warehouse and industrial conversions

Building Control Sign-Off

BREL reports are required at both:

  • Design Stage (Pre-Construction)
  • As-Built Stage (Post-Construction)

Without a compliant as-built BREL report, Building Control cannot issue a completion certificate.

Design Stage BREL Reports

Design stage BREL reports are produced before construction begins and are used to demonstrate that the proposed design complies with Part L requirements.

What the Design Stage Report Includes:

  • Energy performance calculations
  • Carbon emission analysis
  • Comparison against notional building targets
  • Efficiency of building fabric and services
  • Compliance documentation for Building Control submission

Why Design Stage BREL Reports Matter

Producing a BREL report early allows:

  • Identification of compliance risks
  • Design optimisation before work starts
  • Avoidance of costly changes later

If a design does not meet Part L requirements, we provide clear, practical recommendations to help achieve compliance quickly and efficiently.

As-Built BREL Reports

As-built BREL reports are produced once construction is complete and reflect the building as actually constructed.

Information Used:

  • · Final construction specifications
  • · Installed heating, cooling, and ventilation systems
  • · Lighting efficiency data
  • · Airtightness test results (where applicable)
  • · Renewable energy installations

As-Built Outputs:

  • · Final BREL compliance report
  • · Confirmation of Part L compliance
  • · Documentation required for Building Control sign-off

Accuracy at this stage is critical — discrepancies between design and construction can result in compliance failure if not addressed.

Domestic BREL Reports (SAP-Based)

For residential buildings, BREL reports are generated using SAP calculations.
Typical domestic projects include:

  • New build houses and flats
  • Residential conversions
  • Multi-unit housing developments

Our domestic BREL service includes:

  • Full SAP assessment
  • Design and as-built BREL documentation
  • Coordination with EPC production
  • Ongoing support through Building Control queries

Non-Domestic BREL Reports (SBEM-Based)

For commercial buildings, BREL reports are generated using SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model).

Common non-domestic projects include:

  • · Offices
  • · Retail units
  • · Industrial and warehouse buildings
  • · Mixed-use developments

Our SBEM-based BREL reports assess:

  • · Building fabric performance
  • · HVAC systems
  • · Lighting efficiency
  • · Controls and operational energy use

We ensure your non-domestic project meets the specific Part L requirements applicable to its use class.

BREL Reports for Developers & Contractors

We work closely with:

  • Property developers
  • Main contractors
  • Design & build teams
  • Architects and consultants

For multi-plot developments, we offer:

  • Consistent BREL strategy across plots
  • Specification optimisation to reduce costs
  • Fast turnaround to keep projects on programme
  • Single point of contact for compliance

Our proactive approach helps prevent last-minute compliance issues.

Common BREL Report Issues (And How We Help)

Failing Part L Targets

We identify the most cost-effective improvements, such as:

  • Improved insulation
  • More efficient building services
  • Targeted renewable energy solutions

Incomplete or Inaccurate Data

We review drawings and specifications early to avoid delays.

Building Control Rejections

Our reports are formatted and presented in line with Building Control expectations.

Last-Minute Changes on Site

We update calculations quickly to reflect changes without holding up completion.

What Information Do We Need?

To produce a BREL report, we typically require:

  • Architectural drawings
  • Construction specifications
  • Mechanical and electrical details
  • Lighting layouts (non-domestic)
  • Airtightness test results (as-built stage)

We’ll clearly identify any missing information and guide you through what’s required.

Why Choose Us for BREL Reports?

01

Qualified energy assessors

02

Fully compliant with Part L regulations

03

SAP and SBEM expertise

04

Fast, reliable turnaround

05

Practical compliance advice

05

Accepted by all Building Control bodies

We focus on real compliance, not just theoretical pass results.

BREL Reports & EPCs

BREL reports provide the underlying data required for producing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Once your as-built BREL report is complete, EPCs can be generated quickly and accurately.
We can provide:

  • BREL reports
  • SAP or SBEM calculations
  • EPCs

as part of a single, coordinated service.

Nationwide Coverage

We provide BREL reports for projects across England and Wales, working remotely using digital plans and specifications. Our service is fast, consistent, and fully compliant — wherever your project is located.