BREEAM Consultant & Sustainable Building Assessments London & UK
Hollen+ offers a full BREEAM Assessment service in London and across the UK. From early stage advice, individual credits, all the way through to full BREEAM Certification. Our efficient, streamlined service enables us to offer the lowest BREEAM fees in the industry.
BREEAM is the UK’s leading sustainability assessment method for commercial real estate, and plays a vital role in shaping environmentally responsible buildings. This trusted framework supports BREEAM Sustainability by evaluating a building’s performance across key areas such as energy use, health and wellbeing, water, waste, and materials.
As environmental regulations and expectations rise, working with an experienced BREEAM Consultant ensures compliance with BREEAM Standards and helps future-proof assets. From BREEAM New Construction projects to BREEAM Refurbishment and BREEAM in Use Buildings, our services cover every stage, supported by the recognised BREEAM Rating System, to meet ESG goals and long-term performance needs.
We utilise our extensive asset management experience to deliver the most cost-effective solutions to reach the required target, thereby maximising returns.
We specialise in advising owners and occupiers if planned works comply or breach lease obligations. Where the planned works breach lease obligations, we provide recommendations on how to achieve lease compliance through expert BREEAM Consulting.
BREEAM Services
At HOLLEN+, we provide end-to-end support to ensure your project meets its sustainability targets efficiently. Our services include:
BREEAM Pre-Assessments: Early-stage workshops (RIBA Stage 1) to define your target rating and identify the most cost-effective credits.
Design Stage Consultancy: Working with architects and engineers to embed sustainable solutions into the project specifications.
Post-Construction Validation: Site inspections and evidence collation to secure your final BREEAM certificate.
BREEAM AP (Accredited Professional) Services: Providing expert strategic advice that can grant your project additional "Innovation" credits.
Refurbishment & Fit-out Assessments: Specialised support for renovating existing commercial and industrial assets to modern ESG standards.
Lease Obligations: We specialise in advising owners and occupiers if planned works comply or breach lease obligations. Where the planned works breach lease obligations, we provide recommendations on how to achieve lease compliance through expert BREEAM Consulting.
FAQs
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BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method. It provides a framework to improve building performance, reduce environmental impact, and enhance occupant well-being. For developers, it serves as a globally recognized mark of quality and a critical tool for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting.
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Yes. Data shows that BREEAM-rated buildings command "green premiums" in both rental and capital value. Certified commercial assets often see rental increases of 3.7% to 12.3% and lower vacancy rates. Reduced operational costs due to energy and water efficiencies make these buildings highly attractive to institutional investors and blue-chip tenants.
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BREEAM rewards credits for energy efficiency, low-carbon heating, and sustainable materials. By following the framework, project teams can significantly reduce both "embodied carbon" (from construction) and "operational carbon" (from daily use), ensuring the asset is future-proofed against tightening UK carbon legislation.
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Many Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in the UK mandate BREEAM as a condition for planning approval, especially for commercial developments over 1,000m2. Common requirements include achieving a ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’ rating. It is vital to check your local authority’s "Local Plan" early to avoid project delays.
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Absolutely. The BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-out (RFO) scheme is specifically designed for existing buildings. This allows landlords and tenants to improve the environmental performance of older stock, enhance "In-Use" efficiency, and meet MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) without a full rebuild.
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For offices, BREEAM improves indoor air quality, lighting, and thermal comfort, which are linked to increased employee productivity and reduced absenteeism. For industrial units, it focuses on operational efficiency, lifecycle cost reduction, and sustainable logistics, making the units more "covetable" for long-term lease agreements.
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Buildings are scored across several environmental categories. These scores are then weighted and combined to produce a total percentage, which determines the final star rating:
Outstanding (5 Stars): Score of 85 percent or higher (Recognized as the top 1% of UK non-domestic buildings; innovator level)
Excellent (4 Stars): Score of 70 percent or higher (Top 10% of buildings; represents best practice in sustainable design)
Very Good (3 Stars): Score of 55 percent or higher (Top 25% of buildings; represents advanced good practice)
Good (2 Stars): Score of 45 percent or higher (Top 50% of buildings; represents intermediate good practice)
Pass (1 Star): Score of 30 percent or higher (Top 75% of buildings; represents standard good practice)
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A BREEAM Assessor is a licensed professional who manages the certification process. At Hollenplus, our assessors provide technical guidance, verify evidence from the design team, and submit the final report to the BRE for auditing. Engaging an assessor early is the most effective way to secure a high rating at the lowest cost.
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The process typically involves two formal stages:
Design Stage: An interim certificate is issued based on design specifications and commitments.
Post-Construction Stage: A final certificate is issued after a site inspection and review of "as-built" evidence to ensure all sustainable features were actually installed.
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Ideally at RIBA Stage 1 (Preparation and Briefing). Integrating BREEAM requirements early allows for "easy wins" in site selection and building orientation. Waiting until the construction phase often leads to expensive "retro-fitting" of credits or missing the target rating entirely.
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Credits are weighted based on environmental impact. Energy usually carries the highest weighting (approx. 19% for new builds), followed by Health and Wellbeing and Materials. Certain "Minimum Standards" must be met to achieve 'Excellent' or 'Outstanding' regardless of the total score.
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Costs vary based on building size and complexity. Our efficient, streamlined service enables us to offer the lowest BREEAM fees in the industry.
There are two cost components: Consultancy/Assessor Fees and BRE Registration/Certification Fees. While there is an upfront cost, the return on investment through energy savings and increased asset value usually offsets this within the first few years of operation.
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While both are prestigious sustainability certifications, BREEAM is the primary standard used in the UK and is closely aligned with British Building Regulations and planning requirements. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an American-born system often preferred by international investors for global portfolio consistency. For most UK-based commercial developments, BREEAM is the more practical choice as it is specifically tailored to local climate, energy standards, and planning laws.
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A BREEAM New Construction certificate does not expire; it provides a permanent record of the building's sustainability at the point of completion. However, for building owners looking to demonstrate ongoing performance, the BREEAM In-Use certification is used. BREEAM In-Use certificates are valid for 3 years and require regular renewals to ensure the building is still being managed and operated to high environmental standards.
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If a building missed its target rating during construction, it can be improved through the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-out (RFO) or BREEAM In-Use schemes. By upgrading building systems (such as LED lighting or high-efficiency HVAC), improving waste management protocols, or enhancing site ecology, landlords can "uplift" their rating. This is a common strategy for investors looking to "green" their existing portfolios to increase asset liquidity and tenant appeal. We have a wide range of low-cost options available to improve BREEAM ratings, which are tailored to each building.
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