Pricing
An honest look at what drives the price of an energy assessment — and how to get a fixed quote with no surprises.
Pricing
It's the first question most people ask, and most websites dodge it. We can't publish a single flat rate honestly, because the work varies a lot from one project to the next — but we can be straight with you about what you're paying for and why one job costs more than another, so the quote you get makes sense.
Size and storeys. A larger home, or a two- or three-storey design, takes more modelling than a compact single-level house.
Design complexity. High glazing ratios, unusual geometry, split levels and mixed construction all add modelling time — and are more likely to need iterations to reach 7 stars.
Whether it passes readily, or needs work. A well-oriented project home often certifies quickly. A bold, view-driven custom design may need several rounds of glazing and shading changes, or a Performance Solution, to comply.
What else you need. Section J, BASIX, Form 15 or a Performance Solution are additional scope on top of the base NatHERS rating.
Turnaround. Standard timeframes are built into the quote; a genuine rush job may carry a priority fee.
A rock-bottom, box-ticking assessment that comes back telling you to shrink the windows or add mass where you didn't want it can cost you far more — in lost design, reworked drawings and builder delays — than it ever saved on the fee. The value in an experienced, design-literate assessor is finding the path that keeps your design and hits the number. That's the whole reason this business exists.
Send us your plans (even preliminary ones) and a note on where the project's up to. We'll confirm which assessments you need and give you a fixed quote up front — no hourly surprises. See all our services or get in touch.
There's no single flat rate — the fee depends on the size and complexity of the home, whether it's a straightforward project design or an architecturally complex build, and how many revisions are involved. A standard new house is quoted at a set price once we've seen the plans; a large, glazing-heavy custom home that needs detailed modelling or a Performance Solution costs more because it takes more work. The honest answer is: send your plans and we'll give you a fixed quote up front, with no surprises.
The main drivers are floor area and number of storeys, design complexity (glazing ratio, unusual geometry, mixed construction), the class of building, whether the design passes readily or needs iterations to reach 7 stars, whether a Performance Solution is required, and the turnaround you need. Additional services like Section J, BASIX or Form 15 add to the scope.
Not usually. A cheap, box-ticking assessment that comes back with “shrink the windows” can cost you far more in lost design or reworked drawings than it saved. An assessor who understands building and design will find the shading, glazing and Performance Solution options that keep your design and still comply — which is where the real value is.
Yes. Once we've seen your plans we provide a fixed price for the scope, so you know the cost before you commit. For builders running multiple similar homes we can set consistent pricing across a project.
A NatHERS assessment fee typically includes modelling the design, the star-rating certificate and Whole of Home score, and the documentation your certifier needs (including the Form 15 in Queensland). We'll confirm exactly what's included — and any allowance for revisions — in your quote.
Send through your plans and we'll tell you exactly what you need and what it costs — up front.
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