Pre Assessment & Project Launch

BREEAM Pre-Assessment and Project Launch

Laying the foundation for sustainable certification

BREEAM Pre-Assessment is an essential early-stage evaluation designed to help projects understand and prepare for full BREEAM certification. It provides a roadmap for achieving the desired sustainability rating by identifying key areas for improvement and setting clear sustainability targets.

Whether you’re working on a new build or a refurbishment project, the pre-assessment is the first step toward ensuring your project meets BREEAM’s rigorous environmental standards.

At Melin, our dedicated team consists of fully accredited and licensed BREEAM Assessors, with many also holding the distinction of being BREEAM Accredited Professionals. This ensures that your project is in capable and trusted hands.

What is a BREEAM Pre-Assessment?

BREEAM Pre-Assessment is an initial review of a project’s design and construction plans against the criteria set out by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM). This stage provides an opportunity to assess the project’s potential environmental performance and forecast how it might score in the official BREEAM assessment.

The pre-assessment helps identify:

  • Areas of strength where the project is already performing well in terms of sustainability.
  • Potential risks where the design may not meet BREEAM criteria and corrective actions are needed.
  • Opportunities for improvement to enhance the overall sustainability rating.

This early analysis allows developers, architects, and contractors to make informed decisions about design changes or additional measures required to meet the desired BREEAM rating.

Why Conduct a BREEAM Pre-Assessment?

Conducting a BREEAM Pre-Assessment offers several benefits:

  • Early Identification of Challenges: A pre-assessment helps identify potential issues that could affect your BREEAM score, allowing for timely adjustments to the design or construction plan. 
  • Securing early-stage credits: Engaging a BREEAM Assessor at the earliest opportunity maximizes your chances of earning critical early-stage credits, which are essential for achieving BREEAM certification, especially when aiming for Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding ratings.
  • Informed Decision-Making: By reviewing all aspects of the project in line with BREEAM criteria, the pre-assessment ensures that sustainability goals are integrated into the decision-making process from the start.
  • Cost Efficiency: Making sustainability-related changes during the planning stage is often more cost-effective than retrofitting or making changes later in the construction process.
  • Clear Path to Certification: The pre-assessment provides a clear understanding of what’s required to achieve a specific BREEAM rating (Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding) and sets measurable goals for the project team to follow.
  • Client Confidence: For clients and investors, a pre-assessment can demonstrate that the project is on track to meet internationally recognised sustainability standards, which can increase project value and marketability.

Key Areas Covered in a BREEAM Pre-Assessment

A BREEAM Pre-Assessment reviews the project across multiple categories, each contributing to the overall sustainability rating. These categories include:

  1. Energy: Evaluating how efficiently the building will use energy, including the integration of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient systems, and the reduction of carbon emissions.
  2. Water: Assessing water conservation measures such as low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and greywater recycling to reduce overall water consumption.
  3. Materials: Examining the use of sustainable, responsibly sourced materials with low environmental impact and high durability.
  4. Waste: Reviewing waste management strategies for construction and operational phases, including recycling initiatives and minimizing landfill waste.
  5. Health and Wellbeing: Ensuring that the project promotes a healthy indoor environment through natural lighting, ventilation, and indoor air quality measures.
  6. Pollution: Identifying strategies to minimize noise, light, and water pollution, as well as reducing emissions and improving local air quality.
  7. Transport: Assessing access to sustainable transport options and encouraging low-carbon commuting solutions.
  8. Land Use and Ecology: Reviewing the project’s impact on local biodiversity, including measures to enhance or protect the surrounding ecosystem.
  9. Management: Evaluating how well sustainability practices are integrated into the planning, design, and construction processes.

BREEAM Pre-Assessment Process

Here’s a typical process for conducting a BREEAM Pre-Assessment:

  1. Initial Consultation & Project Launch:
    • We meet with your project team to discuss the goals, design plans, and any sustainability targets you aim to achieve. This helps establish the framework for the pre-assessment.
  2. Pre-Assessment Workshop:
    • One of our accredited BREEAM Professional assessors will conduct a workshop with key stakeholders to review the project against the BREEAM criteria, examining potential strengths and weaknesses.
  3. Scoring Projection:
    • Based on the current design and strategy, the assessor will project a potential BREEAM rating. This score can range from Pass to Outstanding, depending on how well the project aligns with the BREEAM standards.
  4. Actionable Recommendations:
    • The assessor will provide detailed recommendations on areas where improvements can be made to boost the project’s score and achieve the desired BREEAM rating.
  5. Pre-Assessment Report:
    • A comprehensive report is generated, outlining the projected score and offering a clear roadmap for achieving certification. This report can be used to guide design revisions and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Why choose Melin for your BREEAM Pre-Assessment?

  • Certified BREEAM Assessors: Our team of highly experienced, accredited BREEAM assessors & BREEAM Accredited Professionals ensures your project is thoroughly reviewed and solutions are
  • Tailored Guidance: We provide bespoke advice based on your project’s unique characteristics, ensuring that your sustainability goals are achievable and aligned with your vision.
  • Comprehensive Reporting: Our pre-assessment reports provide actionable insights and clear steps for improving your BREEAM rating, giving you the confidence to move forward with your project.
  • Proven Track Record: We’ve successfully helped numerous clients achieve their desired BREEAM ratings, from residential developments to commercial buildings, please see our BREEAM case study page here.

Make sure your project gets off to the perfect start with Melin Consultants…………………….

If you're planning a new build or refurbishment and aiming for BREEAM certification, beginning with a BREEAM Pre-Assessment is the most effective way to ensure success. Our experienced assessors will support you throughout the process, offering comprehensive guidance to help you make informed choices that improve sustainability, minimise environmental impact, and recommend the best solutions for all stakeholders to achieve BREEAM compliance.

Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation initial project review with one of our lead assessors and take the first step toward meeting your planning requirements, client aspirations, and sustainability objectives through BREEAM certification.

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Melin Energy Consultants

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01792 002085

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01172 356512

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020 3725 8399

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