WELL Building Assessments Manchester & UK
HollenPlus offers a full WELL accreditation service in Manchester and across the UK. From early stage advice, pre-assessment, pre-certification, all the way through to full delivery of WELL Certification, our consultants deliver cost-effective solutions which maximise the rating achieved.
Click here to see a recent WELL Platinum project undertaken by HollenPlus.
The WELL Accreditation, developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), is a leading global standard focused on health, well-being, and human performance within buildings. It complements ESG strategies by strengthening the social dimension and ensuring workplaces support occupant health through improved air quality, lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, movement, and mental well-being.
Commercially, pursuing WELL delivers clear strategic advantages. It enhances a company’s ESG profile, increasing credibility with investors, clients, and regulators who increasingly prioritise measurable social-impact outcomes. For landlords and developers, WELL-certified buildings also benefit from higher tenant demand, improved occupancy, and potential rent premiums because of their reputation for quality and user-focused design.
Internally, WELL supports better organisational performance. Healthier indoor environments contribute to reduced absenteeism, higher productivity, and stronger talent attraction and retention. These effects create tangible economic value, making WELL a commercially sound investment rather than a purely ethical one.
Importantly, WELL can be implemented in a cost-effective way. Many WELL strategies, such as optimised HVAC performance, filtration upgrades, or policy-based initiatives, deliver long-term operational efficiencies and can be phased into existing buildings. Its flexible modular structure means organisations can tailor their approach to their budget and goals.
In summary, WELL Accreditation offers a practical and commercially beneficial way to enhance ESG performance through people-centred design.
FAQs
-
A WELL-certified building is highly attractive to modern occupiers who prioritise employee wellbeing and ESG metrics. Key benefits include:
Higher Asset Value: Premium rent potential and reduced vacancy rates.
Increased Productivity: Studies consistently link WELL-aligned workplaces with lower absenteeism, higher staff retention, and improved cognitive performance.
ESG Reporting Alignment: WELL alignments provide robust data that directly supports GRESB, social value, and broader corporate sustainability reporting.
-
We manage the entire process to reduce complexity and minimise cost. Our full-service consultancy covers:
Feasibility & Pre-Assessment: Identifying the easiest, most cost-effective credits your project can achieve.
Design & Project Integration: Working with architects and MEP engineers early on to ensure design files meet WELL's performance thresholds.
Document Submission: Organising and submitting the required paperwork to the green business certification portal (GBCI).
Performance Verification Prep: Assisting in pre-testing air and water quality to guarantee success when the third-party assessor arrives on site.
-
As early as possible, ideally during RIBA Stage 1 (Preparation and Brief) or early Stage 2 (Concept Design). Many critical WELL requirements involve fundamental elements of a building's design, such as HVAC filtration capacities, window glazing for circadian lighting, and acoustic partitions. Addressing these requirements early avoids costly retrofitting during later construction stages.
-
Depending on the number of points accumulated across the WELL scorecard, projects can achieve four distinct levels of certification:
Bronze: (Minimum requirements met; typically reserved for certain project types)
Silver: 50 points
Gold: 60 points
Platinum: 80 points
-
Yes. Because human health relies on ongoing building operations, WELL Certifications must be re-certified every three years. This process ensures that maintenance schedules, air filter replacements, and wellness policies are actively upheld. HollenPlus partners with clients long-term to manage these annual reporting requirements and make re-certification effortless.
-
Unlike other standards that rely solely on design-stage paperwork, WELL requires physical, on-site testing before final certification is granted. A third-party assessor will visit your building to test indoor air quality, water purity, acoustic levels, and lighting performance. HollenPlus conducts rigorous pre-testing ahead of this visit, diagnosing and solving any potential issues so you pass the official verification seamlessly.
-
WELL can be applied to both. The standard features specialised pathways for different project types:
WELL v2 (Core): Ideal for developers and landlords looking to certify the base building (structure, common areas, HVAC, and building envelope) to attract high-quality tenants.
WELL v2 (Interior/Fit-out): Ideal for occupiers who want to certify their specific leased office floor or workspace.
-
While BREEAM focuses heavily on environmental performance (such as energy, carbon, waste, and ecology), WELL focuses on human health and occupant experience. However, they are highly complementary.
Speak with a Partner today about WELL accreditation…
