From Training to First Assessment: Mark Grace's NABERS UK Assessor Experience

Becoming a NABERS UK accredited assessor is no small undertaking. The standard demands a detailed understanding of building performance, and the training process is designed to reflect that rigour. We sat down with one of our newly accredited assessors to hear firsthand what the training involved, what their first live assessment looked like, and what challenges came with it.

Walking Through the NABERS UK Training Process

What did the training actually cover, and what was most useful?

The training was well organised and clearly presented, even though the standard itself is genuinely challenging given the level of detail involved. The course structure worked well: it started with the basics as an introduction, before moving into greater depth on the three rating types.

One of the standout features was the use of short videos and characters to walk through the processes involved, which made complex material easier to absorb. The time allowed for completing the course was adequate, recognising that everyone is juggling different pressures, and having a firm deadline proved to be a genuine motivator rather than a source of stress.

The case study material was particularly effective. It was presented in a realistic way, with some material handwritten or sketched, and details that weren't immediately obvious. This mirrored the ambiguity and nuance of a real assessment, rather than a simplified textbook example.

The First Assessment: Putting Training Into Practice

What was the building, and what was your role?

The first NABERS assessment undertaken was for Buro Happold's own UK headquarters, a tenancy rating. The result was highly anticipated internally, reflecting the sustained effort that had gone into reducing the building's energy consumption. This included the original design work carried out by the company's own MEP engineers, ongoing operational improvements, and a strong contribution from the facilities management team.

Having a direct line to colleagues to gather the required information proved invaluable, a level of access the assessor acknowledged probably isn't typical of most assessments. It also underlined just how important it will be, on every future assessment, to build a strong working relationship with the client's team, in order to ease the collection of the wide-ranging data the process demands.

Overcoming Challenges Along the Way

What challenges came up, and how were they resolved?

The scrutiny around the tenancy score was itself a challenge, it was closely watched by management and by several key figures who had driven the energy-saving transition following the London office's relocation in 2023.

The assessment was originally scheduled for early 2025, but during data collection it became clear that some of the sub-meters weren't recording any data at all, they had failed. Resolving the fault took around six months, followed by a further twelve months of data collection to build up a sufficient evidence base for the rating. By the time the assessment was finally submitted in June this year, patience was wearing thin among stakeholders.

The wait, however, was worth it. The final result was met with widespread satisfaction, and seeing that reaction made the whole process genuinely rewarding.

Learn more about NABERS UK Assessor Training here.