BRE has officially announced that Version 7 of BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out is launching this summer. If you’re working on existing buildings, in early design, or just starting to think about your next refurbishment, this update is something you need to have on your radar.
What Is BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out?
For those less familiar, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the UK’s leading sustainability assessment framework for buildings. The Refurbishment and Fit Out scheme specifically covers existing buildings undergoing improvement works — assessing everything from energy and water efficiency to materials, wellbeing, and waste management. Achieving a strong BREEAM rating signals to occupiers, investors, and planners that a building meets rigorous environmental standards.
What’s Changing With V7?
While BRE is yet to release the full technical detail, if previous version updates are anything to go by, V7 is likely to raise the bar across a number of categories. Past iterations have introduced tougher credits, revised benchmarks, and new requirements that have caught design teams off guard — turning what seemed like a straightforward certification process into a much more complex undertaking. Teams that weren’t prepared found themselves having to redesign elements late in the process, adding cost and delay.
Why Timing Matters
Here’s what many project teams don’t realise: registering your project under the current scheme before V7 launches means you can complete your assessment under the existing requirements. This can make a significant difference — particularly for projects where design is already progressed or where BREEAM targets have been agreed with a client or planning authority based on the current framework.
In short, acting now could save your team considerable time, cost, and stress further down the line.
What Should You Do Next?
If you have a refurbishment or fit out project in the pipeline — even at an early stage — it’s worth having a conversation sooner rather than later. Understanding which scheme version applies to your project, and what your target rating means in practice, is the kind of clarity that sets a project up for success from day one.
Our team works with design teams and clients at every stage of the BREEAM process, from initial registration through to final certification. Get in touch today and let’s make sure your project is in the best possible position before V7 arrives.
