How Much Does It Cost to Get EPC C?
Which upgrades move a home from D or E to band C, what they typically cost and how many points they add. Indicative ranges, to plan with before you ask for quotes.
Last updated 09/10/2026 · Strata Surveying & Retrofit · For landlords, housing providers and anyone planning improvements
The short answer
Government's own estimate for the private rented sector is an average spend of about £5,400 per property to reach band C, with a cap of £10,000. Many homes sit a few points below band C and need only two or three low-cost measures. Solid-wall homes and homes with old electric heating cost more.
Measures, costs and typical gains
The table below uses indicative UK market ranges collected in October 2026 and the typical rating gains we see on lodged certificates. They are a planning guide, not quotes, and gains vary by home.
| Measure | Indicative cost | Typical SAP gain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation to 270 mm | £18 to £40 per m² | +1 to +3 | Often the cheapest points. Check existing depth first. |
| Cavity wall insulation | £15 to £30 per m² of wall | +2 to +4 | Only if the cavity is unfilled and suitable. |
| Solid wall insulation (internal or external) | £7,500 to £11,000 per home | +4 to +7 | Biggest single gain, but uses most of the cap. |
| Suspended or solid floor insulation | £4,700 to £10,000 per home | +1 to +2 | Low confidence. Rarely the first choice. |
| Heating controls upgrade | £500 to £1,200 | +1 to +2 | Programmer, room thermostat and TRVs where missing. |
| Draught-proofing | £150 to £250 | 0 to +1 | Cheap and low disruption. |
| Low-energy lighting | £120 to £210 | +1 | Only helps where incandescent bulbs remain. |
| Double glazing (replacing single or old double) | £500 to £1,250 per window | +2 to +3 | Worth modelling per window count. |
| Replacement boiler (old or inefficient) | £2,200 to £3,500 | +3 to +5 | Where the existing boiler is old or poorly rated. |
| Solar PV, about 2.5 kWp | £4,800 to £6,500 | +4 to +5 | Often the biggest jump for houses. Not suited to most flats. |
| Air source heat pump | About £13,000 gross, £7,500 grant available | +9 to +11 | Needs an MCS installer and suitable emitters. |
| High heat retention storage heaters | £470 to £800 per heater | +3 to +10 | For homes with old electric heating. |
How to read the table
- Points are not additive. Two measures that each give +2 will not always give +4, because the second works on a better starting point.
- The cheapest route is a combination. A heating controls upgrade plus loft top-up can beat one expensive measure. That is why we test every combination for each home.
- Disruption matters. A loft top-up is a day with minimal tenant impact, solid wall insulation is days or weeks. For occupied homes, low-disruption routes come first.
- The final rules will be metric-based. Under the confirmed policy, compliance will be assessed on fabric performance plus either heating or smart readiness. Today's SAP points are a guide while that is finalised.
Get a costed plan for your home
Use our free EPC C checker to see the current band and whether C looks reachable within the cap. Then ask for a costed Band C plan: a DEA surveys the home, tests the combinations and confirms the options in accredited software. For multiple homes, see the EPC C Pathway for portfolios.
Questions answered
Short answers to the questions we are asked most.
Certified & Regulated Compliance
Fully Accredited Across UK Statutory & Funding Frameworks
Get a Quote for Your EICR, EPC or Electrical Work
Tell us the property and what you need. We respond within 4 business hours.