Technical review: Energy assessor to be confirmed before publication
Last reviewed: 4 September 2026
“How much does a TM44 inspection cost?” is one of the clearest commercial questions in the search data. Yet there is no single official UK price. A responsible quotation depends on the building, equipment, access conditions, records and the final report scope.
A very low headline price may exclude data gathering, register lodgement or difficult access. A higher price may reflect a multi-site portfolio, complex controls, roof access or a detailed investment report. The right comparison is whether two quotations deliver the same compliant outcome.
Is there a standard TM44 price?
No government tariff applies to TM44 inspections. Private assessors agree fees commercially. Prices may be based on the number of systems, combined effective output, building size, access, travel, portfolio coordination and reporting requirements.
The relevant regulatory threshold is an effective rated output of more than 12 kW. Several smaller units may be considered together when they are under common control. Capacity should be supported by rating plates, manuals, commissioning documents or maintenance records rather than guessed from floor area.
Main factors affecting cost
System size and complexity
A small office with one accessible packaged unit is different from a hotel, warehouse, retail centre or multi-tenant office with chillers, VRF systems and central controls. Complexity increases when equipment is poorly labelled, plant is remote, drawings are incomplete or heating and cooling interact.
Number of systems and sites
A single-building inspection is not comparable with a national portfolio. Portfolio work may require standardised data collection, travel planning, central project management, common templates and executive reporting. A programme can reduce duplicated administration but still require substantial coordination.
Access and safety
Roof plant, locked rooms, security clearance, escorts, permits, working-at-height controls and out-of-hours visits all affect the scope. The quote should state which access arrangements the client must provide and which expenses are included.
Records and data quality
Previous reports, equipment schedules, O&M manuals and maintenance records make the inspection more efficient. Missing records may require manual asset identification, photographs, manufacturer research and confirmation of system boundaries.
Report requirements
Some clients need the required report only. Others need an executive summary, capital-project schedule, cost-benefit prioritisation, board presentation or integration with an energy-management plan. These additions should be listed separately so the buyer understands the fee.
What should a quotation include?
Ask for a written scope that identifies:
- building address and areas included;
- systems included and excluded;
- assumed capacity and system boundaries;
- number of visits and assessor days;
- access and safety assumptions;
- records required from the client;
- inspection methodology;
- report deliverables and format;
- register lodgement and reference number;
- delivery date, VAT and expenses;
- follow-up support;
- physical repair and cleaning exclusions.
A TM44 inspection is primarily an energy assessment. Cleaning, refrigerant work, controls changes and repairs normally require separate authorisation and competence.
How can a business reduce avoidable cost?
Preparation can make the work efficient without reducing quality. Gather the previous report, equipment register, manuals, maintenance certificates, floor plans, control screenshots, occupancy pattern, energy data and access instructions. Nominate one site contact and coordinate tenants before the visit.
Do not remove systems from scope only to reduce the fee. If common-control capacity exceeds the threshold, an incomplete scope can create a correction visit and additional cost later.
What value should the buyer expect?
The value is not just a document. A good inspection gives management an evidence base for operating changes, controls improvements, maintenance priorities, replacement planning and wider decarbonisation. The GOV.UK guidance describes the report’s purpose as identifying ways to improve efficiency, reduce energy use, operating costs and carbon emissions.
It does not guarantee a specific saving. Outcomes depend on occupancy, weather, tariffs, controls, maintenance and whether recommendations are implemented.
How to compare two quotes
| Question | Provider A | Provider B |
|---|---|---|
| Systems and capacity included | ||
| Accreditation scheme | ||
| Register lodgement | ||
| Report and recommendations | ||
| Access, travel and VAT | ||
| Follow-up support |
Ask who will carry out the assessment, whether the assessor is currently accredited, what reference number will be supplied, what information is needed and what is excluded. Also ask whether the provider can cover London, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham or Derby sites without creating separate, inconsistent scopes.
Common pricing mistakes
- Comparing a survey-only visit with a complete lodged report.
- Assuming maintenance is included.
- Ignoring roof, parking or security requirements.
- Choosing an assessor without checking current accreditation.
- Publishing a fixed price without stating assumptions.
- Using an invented “average price” that does not match the building.
Final advice
Request a site-specific quotation, provide accurate system information and compare like-for-like deliverables. Confirm that the report will be produced and lodged by a current accredited energy assessor. Store the final report and reference number with the building’s maintenance records.
Request a TM44 quotation
Visit UEC Energy’s TM44 service or contact the team with your building address, system capacity, previous report date and access requirements.
Source: GOV.UK air-conditioning inspection guidance.
Questions to ask before accepting a price
Is the fee for one system or the whole building?
Ask the provider to define system boundaries and list included equipment. A building can have several systems under different control arrangements. A quote that covers only visible indoor units may not match the compliance scope.
Is register lodgement included?
Confirm that the assessor will lodge the final report and provide the reference number. A site survey without a valid lodged report is a different service and should not be compared as equivalent.
What happens if records are incomplete?
Ask whether additional data gathering is charged hourly, by day or as a fixed allowance. Supplying manuals, schedules and previous reports in advance can reduce avoidable survey time.
Can recommendations be prioritised?
For larger sites, request a short action register showing owner, urgency, likely disruption and whether a separate feasibility study is required. This turns the inspection into a useful management tool without pretending that every measure has the same value.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Choose the clearest compliant scope, not simply the lowest headline price. Check accreditation, experience, report quality, insurance, access planning, delivery date and post-inspection support before making the appointment.
Planning the procurement timetable
Start the procurement process before the five-year deadline. Allow time to confirm the responsible person, gather records, obtain comparable quotations, arrange access and resolve questions about combined capacity. For a portfolio, create a site list with priority, location, system type, last inspection and access contact. This simple register helps avoid emergency bookings and makes supplier responses easier to compare.
After appointment, request a short mobilisation note confirming the scope, documents required, visit dates, site rules and report delivery process. A clear mobilisation stage reduces variation between sites and gives finance teams a reliable record of what has been ordered.
Keep the final quotation, purchase order and lodged report together. If the scope changes during mobilisation, ask for the revised price and deliverables in writing before additional work begins. This creates a clear audit trail for procurement and prevents confusion about what the original fee covered.
For a multi-site programme, ask for both a per-site price and a portfolio total. This makes it easier to compare mobilisation, travel, reporting and follow-up costs. Make sure any volume discount does not depend on excluding difficult sites or reducing the inspection scope.