Strabane · Derry · Omagh
Selling or letting? You'll need an EPC.
I'm Declan Hughes, an Elmhurst-accredited Domestic Energy Assessor based in Strabane. I can usually visit within the week, and you'll have your certificate within 48 hours.
The basics
What's an EPC, and do I need one?
An Energy Performance Certificate rates how energy efficient a home is, from A (best) to G (worst). It also lists practical improvements and what they'd do to the rating. In Northern Ireland you need one whenever a home is built, or put on the market for sale or rent.
An EPC lasts 10 years and can be reused for any sale or let in that time.
The owner or landlord has to have one, and show it to buyers or tenants. Estate and letting agents must include it when they market the property.
Only an accredited assessor can produce an EPC. It's lodged on the official register, and district councils can issue penalty notices if there isn't one.
How it works
From first message to certificate
Get in touch
Fill in the quote form or ring me. I reply within two hours, 8am to 6pm, with a price and some dates.
I visit
About an hour for most homes. I'll measure up, look at the heating, insulation and windows, and take photos for the record.
You pay
I send an invoice after the visit. Pay online or by bank transfer.
Your certificate
Lodged on the register and emailed to you within 48 hours, with a plain-English note on what would make the biggest difference.
Getting ready for the visit
- Clear access to the loft hatch, and a ladder if you have one
- Boiler, hot water cylinder and heating controls easy to reach
- Any paperwork for insulation, new windows, solar panels or a heat pump
- The year any extensions or conversions were built, if you know it
- Someone over 18 at home to let me in
- Pets out of the way while I go through the rooms
Prices
One price, nothing hidden
Every price includes the visit, the certificate and lodging it on the register. I'm not VAT registered, so there's no VAT to add.
| Property | Price |
|---|---|
| Flat or 1-bed house | £65 |
| 2–3 bed house | £75 |
| 4 bed house | £90 |
| 5+ bed, or large or unusual (farmhouses, big extensions) | from £110 |
Estate agents and landlords: £10 off each EPC when you book two or more at once.
Outside the area: £15 travel beyond Strabane, Derry, Omagh and the places in between.
Your assessor
- Name
- Declan Hughes BSc (Hons)
- Role
- Domestic Energy Assessor
- Scheme
- Elmhurst Energy
- Number
- EES/037224
- Based
- Strabane, Co Tyrone
About me
From the shop counter to the red hut
For 32 years I ran Gormley Shoes in Strabane, so plenty of you will know me already. Since closing the shop I've retrained as a Domestic Energy Assessor. I also hold a degree in Building Engineering and Management from Ulster University, so houses and how they're built aren't new to me.
I work from a wee red hut on the banks of the River Mourne, which is where the name comes from. I'm one person, so the man who answers the phone is the man who does your survey, and the one you can ring afterwards with any questions.
- Strabane
- Derry
- Omagh
- Sion Mills
- Newtownstewart
- Castlederg
- Donemana
- Artigarvan
- Ballymagorry
- and the places in between
Energy saving tips
Small changes that make a real difference
Seven cheap ways to keep your house warmer this winter
Small jobs, most under £20, that stop heat leaking out and make the heating you pay for go further.
Read it →What your EPC rating actually means
The letter, the number behind it, and the page most people skip: the recommendations.
Read it →How loft insulation affects your EPC
It's one of the cheapest improvements and one of the things I check first. Here's what to look for.
Read it →Questions
Things people usually ask
How long does the visit take?
About an hour for most houses. Bigger or older properties can take a bit longer.
Do I need to be at home?
Someone over 18 needs to let me in and be there while I'm in the house. It doesn't have to be the owner. If the house is empty, an agent or a neighbour with the key is fine.
When do I get the certificate?
Within 48 hours of the visit, once the invoice is paid. It's lodged on the official register and I'll email you a copy.
Will you tell me how to improve my rating?
Yes. The certificate lists recommended improvements, and I'll point out which ones are likely to make the most difference for your house.
I already have an EPC. Do I need a new one?
Not if it's less than 10 years old, unless you've made big changes like new insulation, a new heating system or an extension. A new certificate could then show a better rating. If you're not sure, send me the address and I'll check.
Do you work with estate agents and landlords?
Yes. Book two or more EPCs at once and there's £10 off each one. I'm happy to arrange access with the agent or tenant directly.
What if I'm not happy?
Tell me and I'll put it right. You can read how I handle complaints, including how to contact my accreditation scheme.
Get a price
Tell me about the property and I'll come back within two hours.
Use the quote form, or ring or email if you'd rather. I reply between 8am and 6pm.