What’s the Difference Between a BREEAM Assessor and a BREEAM AP?

(Spoiler: they’re not interchangeable — but they work brilliantly together.)

If you’ve ever been knee-deep in a sustainable construction project, chances are you’ve heard the terms BREEAM Assessor and BREEAM AP thrown around. But what do they actually do — and why might you need both?

Let’s break it down.

BREEAM Assessor – The Compliance Champion

Think of the BREEAM Assessor as your project’s official scorekeeper. They’re the person responsible for:

• Registering your project with BRE
• Reviewing and validating evidence submitted
• Submitting the final assessment for certification
• Ensuring the BREEAM scheme requirements are met

Their job is all about accuracy, impartiality, and ensuring the assessment process is watertight. No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just clear, standards-based evaluation.

BREEAM AP – The Strategic Sustainability Guide

The BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) comes in earlier — ideally by RIBA Stage 1 or 2 — to help steer the project in the right direction. Their strengths lie in:

• Embedding BREEAM requirements from the start
• Identifying cost-effective ways to maximise credits
• Translating BREEAM criteria into clear design actions
• Facilitating collaboration across disciplines

Bonus: their involvement can even earn your project extra credits under the Man 01 (Management) category. That’s right — just having them involved early adds value.

Role	Responsibility
BREEAM Assessor	Compliance checker, formal evaluator
BREEAM AP	Early-stage advisor, credit optimiser

Why You Need Both

Want the best shot at a high BREEAM score without last-minute design panic? Bring both to the table — early.

We recommend engaging your AP by RIBA Stage 2 to lock in strategic credits from the start, with your Assessor guiding you through submission and certification later on.

Working together, they’re the dream team for delivering high-performance, low-carbon buildings.