How many photos per dwelling, typically?
For a 4-bedroom new build with standard fabric, a gas boiler, MVHR and PV, expect around 40–70 photos.
For larger or more complex builds — heat pump plus battery plus multiple renewables plus a complex roof — expect 80–120. AutoBREL builds the list from the dwelling spec, so you only capture what is actually relevant to your project.
Can the assessor take the photos, or does it have to be the site team?
Either is allowed. In practice:
Site team photos are convenient, taken during construction in real time, but quality is variable.
Assessor photos require an extra site visit (or a sequence of them — insulation cannot be photographed after plasterboard goes on), and are more expensive, but quality is higher and audit-ready.
Most projects end up with the site team taking the photos and the assessor reviewing pre-submission. AutoBREL's role is making the site team's capture structured enough that the assessor's review is quick.
Does AutoBREL work with all SAP software?
AutoBREL is a separate tool from your SAP software — it does not run SAP and does not need to "talk to" your assessor's software in any complicated way.
If your assessor can give you a Design Stage SAP output (most can — Elmhurst, Stroma, NHER and ECMK all export CSV or XML), AutoBREL can use it to pre-populate the evidence checklist. If they cannot, you can enter the spec manually from the SAP report itself, or start from a standard checklist and tailor it.
Do we need to capture thermal bridging evidence if we used SAP defaults?
No. The SAP default Ψ values do not require junction-level evidence — they are conservative figures that do not claim a specific build quality.
But using defaults is expensive (a worse SAP score). Most projects use ACDs or bespoke values from AutoPSI. Both of those routes require junction photos.
What about retrofit projects — do they need AutoBREL?
BREL itself is for new dwellings. Retrofit projects follow PAS 2035, which has its own (less formal) evidence requirements. AutoBREL has a PAS 2035 mode that captures the equivalent retrofit evidence — useful where the contractor or Retrofit Coordinator wants the same structured workflow on a retrofit job.
What if there is no formal site manager — self-builders, small contractors?
The capture role can be assigned to anyone — developer, contractor, homeowner. AutoBREL guides them through what to capture and when. For self-builds particularly, this is often the strongest case for AutoBREL — the homeowner has the time but not the expertise; AutoBREL provides the expertise.
What format does AutoBREL export the evidence pack in?
A structured ZIP or PDF bundle containing:
Photos organised by element and system, in folders.
A summary of any deviations flagged during capture.
A cover sheet showing the project, plot, dates and totals.
The SAP assessor or BREL signer attaches this pack to their BREL As-Built submission, alongside the SAP, EPC, commissioning certificates and air-tightness certificate.
Can the Building Control officer or Approved Inspector log in to AutoBREL directly?
Not by default. AutoBREL doesn't automatically grant access to Building Control or the Approved Inspector — that depends on how the project has been set up and whether the developer or assessor chooses to share access.
The usual route is that the SAP assessor exports the evidence pack from AutoBREL and includes it in their BREL submission to the Inspector. That keeps the chain of custody clean and avoids needing to manage Building Control logins.
What if a photo we took is wrong or blurry?
Re-take it before the element is covered. AutoBREL flags blurry or out-of-spec photos at the time so you have a chance to fix them on site, not after.
How long does AutoBREL keep the evidence?
AutoBREL retains the evidence pack for the project lifetime plus a retention period for audit traceability. If a question arises after Final Certificate, the pack can be re-exported from AutoBREL for reference.
Tags: faq, autobrel, evidence.