Home Upgrade Checklist
How it works
The checklist takes your home's current state and produces a prioritised 3-stage plan (quick wins, mid-term, long-term) with rough costs and grant routes for each measure. It uses PAS 2035 sequencing to avoid common mistakes — like installing a heat pump before insulating, then needing to upsize radiators a year later.
Worked example
Band D 1980s 3-bed semi: Stage 1 (£500) — loft top-up, draught-proofing, smart thermostat. Stage 2 (£3,000) — cavity wall, MVHR extract fans, A-rated boiler. Stage 3 (£10,000 net) — heat pump + solar + battery. Final EPC: B; bills cut by 60%.
Who should use this
- •Anyone planning a 5–10 year retrofit journey
- •Homeowners deciding what to do first
- •Landlords planning to hit MEES band C
- •Buyers of older homes pricing future works
Common mistakes
- ×Heat pump before insulation — oversizes the system and wastes money
- ×Skipping ventilation when airtightening — causes condensation and mould
- ×Replacing a working boiler too early — wait until the end of its life
- ×Forgetting to update the EPC after each measure
Frequently asked questions
What is PAS 2035?▾
The UK standard for whole-house retrofit. It requires a coordinator to plan measures in the right order to avoid unintended consequences.
Do I need a retrofit coordinator?▾
Required for ECO4 and most government-funded works. Optional but valuable for self-funded deep retrofits over £20k.
Can I do it all at once?▾
Yes if budget allows — a single retrofit project is more efficient and avoids repeated disruption.