011 SAP, EPCs & Building Regulations Explained

Most property projects don’t fail on bricks and mortar — they fail on compliance, energy performance, and details developers underestimate.

In this episode, we sit down with Productive Energy founder Nate to demystify SAP, EPCs, ventilation, airtightness, and sound testing — and show you how to get them right first time.

What we cover:

  • What SAP assessments really are — and why they matter more than most developers think

  • The biggest EPC killers in refurbishments, HMOs, and conversions

  • SAP Design vs SAP As-Built (and why missing documents can cost you money)

  • Easy, low-cost upgrades that have the biggest EPC impact

  • Ventilation mistakes that lead to mould, complaints, and failed inspections

  • Airtightness tests explained simply (and how not to overdo it)

  • Why sound tests fail — and proven acoustic build-ups that pass

  • What’s unique (and risky) about commercial-to-residential compliance

  • How poor early design decisions massively increase costs later

  • How to avoid retests, delays, and Building Control nightmares

  • The paperwork every developer must collect during a project

  • The biggest EPC myths developers still believe

Our companies:

  • ZEN Stays — £1.1m annual turnover through Serviced Accommodation & Property Management

  • ZEN Properties — £1m+ assets with £500k own equity

  • ZEN Properties Podcast — real conversations on building cashflow + wealth through UK real estate

Sponsorship:

  • This episode is brought to you by ZEN Properties.

  • We develop and convert property across the UK.

  • Investors earn 11-15% annual, asset-backed.

  • Find out more: zenproperties.uk 

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012 Screw New Year’s resolutions

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010 PD Conversions with Ben Richards & Jack Jiggens