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This is Surveying

Joe Nelson on Retrofit, Social Impact and Opportunities for UK Surveyors

December 07, 2025 • Nina Young - Surveyors UK • Season 1 • Episode 3

In this episode I’m joined by Joe Nelson, a chartered architectural technologist and chartered building engineer working in retrofit. We talk about what is actually happening on the ground in UK housing, from failed external wall insulation schemes and TrustMark action through to new PAS 2035 requirements, BS 40104 and RICS’ emerging retrofit pathways.

Joe brings it back to people. We explore how retrofit affects vulnerable communities, the links to Awaab’s Law and the housing crisis, and where UK surveyors and students can step into this space for meaningful work and new income streams.

What we cover

Joe’s background in construction, energy assessment and retrofit coordination
How government grant schemes have grown the retrofit industry, for better and for worse
Eco4 and GBIS failures, phoenix companies and the “missionaries and mercenaries” of retrofit
The impact on first generation immigrant communities and why trust has been damaged
PAS 2035-2023, mandatory site visits and moving design work to chartered professionals
BS 40104 and the push for a higher standard of retrofit surveying
RICS’ new retrofit and sustainability pathways and what they could mean for residential surveyors
Archetypes, social housing providers and why surveyors are ideal for first-in-door surveys
Net zero, carbon capture, Awaab’s Law and health impacts from damp and mould
Training routes, bootcamps and practical first steps for surveyors and students

Guest links

Joe Nelson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-nelson-msc-mciat-c-build-e-mcabe-659284a6/
Joe's website https://www.pas2035consultants.com

Useful links

RICS retrofit standard and guidance: https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/retrofit
RISE retrofit masterclasses on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RISERetrofit
Government retrofit and skills bootcamps: https://energy-trust.co.uk/warm-homes-skills-programme
National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

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