A site survey is the foundation of every EV charger installation we carry out. It is a no-obligation visit to your property where we assess the practical and electrical factors that shape your installation — and it is the only reliable way to receive an accurate quotation rather than a headline estimate.
If you are considering a home or workplace EV charger in Hertfordshire, this guide explains exactly what happens during the survey, what we assess, and what you can expect to take away from the visit.
Why a site survey matters
EV charger installation is not a one-size-fits-all product. The same 7kW charger installed on two neighbouring properties can involve fundamentally different work — one with a short internal cable run and ample supply capacity, the other requiring a consumer unit upgrade, 20-metre armoured cable route, and dynamic load balancing.
A site survey identifies these factors before you commit, so your quotation reflects the actual scope of work — not an optimistic estimate that grows once installation begins.
We never quote from photographs alone. Every quotation follows a site visit because the details that shape cost and specification are only visible in person.
How to prepare
You do not need to prepare extensively, but a few things help us make the most of the visit:
- Know your vehicle — make, model, and whether it is already delivered or on order. This confirms connector type and charging speed requirements.
- Identify your parking position — where you typically park overnight. This determines the ideal charger location.
- Locate your consumer unit — the fuse board, usually in a garage, utility room, or understairs cupboard. Knowing its location saves time on arrival.
- Note any concerns — supply issues, previous electrical work, planned extensions, or second EV plans. These all influence specification.
If you are unsure about any of these, do not worry — we guide you through everything during the visit.
What we assess during the survey
A typical site survey takes 30–45 minutes and covers five areas:
Parking and charger location
We review where you park and identify the optimal mounting position for your charger — garage wall, driveway post, or external wall. We consider:
- Cable reach from the charger to your vehicle’s charging port
- Weather exposure and mounting height
- Pedestrian and vehicle access around the charger
- Aesthetics and visibility from the street
Properties with detached garages, shared driveways, or rear parking in St Albans and Berkhamsted often require more careful location planning than standard driveway installations.
Electrical supply assessment
This is the most critical part of the survey. We assess:
- Consumer unit condition — age, available spare ways, and RCD protection
- Main fuse rating — typically 60, 80, or 100 amps, determining how much capacity exists for a charger
- Existing demand — what else draws power during peak hours (cooking, heating, hot water)
- Earthing arrangement — TN-S, TN-C-S, or TT earthing, each requiring different protection measures
If your consumer unit needs upgrading or load balancing is required, we identify this during the survey — not during installation.
Cable route planning
We trace the most practical route from your consumer unit to the proposed charger location, considering:
- Internal routing through walls, floors, and ceilings
- External routing via trunking or armoured cable
- Trenching requirements for driveway crossings
- Distance and therefore cable cost
We explain the proposed route clearly and discuss alternatives where they exist.
Charger specification
Based on the supply assessment and your requirements, we recommend:
- Tethered or socketed — fixed cable or separate socket, based on your vehicle and preferences
- Smart features — scheduling, app monitoring, and load balancing where beneficial
- Power rating — 7kW for standard domestic supply; higher ratings only where three-phase supply exists
Our guide to choosing a home EV charger explains these decisions in detail.
Grant eligibility
If you are a homeowner with off-street parking, we confirm your eligibility for the OZEV Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant during the survey. We explain the grant amount, how it is applied to your quotation, and what documentation is required.
See our OZEV grant guide for current eligibility criteria.
What happens after the survey
Within one business day of your site survey, you receive:
- A written quotation — itemised, showing the charger unit, installation scope, any electrical works, and grant deduction if applicable
- A recommended specification — charger make and model, mounting location, and smart features
- An indicative timeline — when installation can be scheduled, typically within two to three weeks of acceptance
- Clear next steps — how to proceed, with no pressure or follow-up calls unless you request them
Your quotation is valid for 30 days. If your circumstances change — different vehicle, altered parking — we revisit the specification at no charge.
Workplace and commercial surveys
For workplace and commercial installations, the survey covers additional factors:
- Number of charge points required and parking bay allocation
- Commercial supply capacity and load management requirements
- User management and billing platform requirements
- Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant eligibility
Workplace surveys typically take 45–60 minutes and may involve a brief discussion with facilities or estate management. Our workplace EV charging service covers business installations across Hertfordshire and Watford.
Common survey findings
Having surveyed hundreds of properties across Hertfordshire, these are the most frequent findings:
Load balancing recommended — approximately 40% of Hertfordshire homes have main fuses of 60 amps or below, where dynamic load balancing protects the supply without requiring an upgrade.
Consumer unit upgrade required — common on pre-2000 properties where the existing unit lacks RCD protection or spare capacity for a dedicated charger circuit.
Longer cable run than expected — detached garages and rear parking often require 15–25 metre cable routes, influencing installation cost.
Grant eligible — most homeowners with off-street parking and an eligible vehicle qualify for the £350 OZEV grant.
None of these findings are problems — they are specification factors that shape an accurate quotation and a reliable installation.
What the survey is not
To set clear expectations, the site survey is not:
- A sales presentation or pressure to commit on the day
- A structural survey of your property
- A guarantee of grant approval (eligibility is confirmed against current criteria, but approval remains subject to OZEV terms)
- A full electrical installation condition report (EICR) — though we note any obvious concerns with your consumer unit
We are there to assess, advise, and quote — not to sell.
Related guides
- Home EV charger installation costs — investment ranges following your survey
- Smart EV charging and load balancing — supply protection explained
- Workplace EV charging — business installation guide
Book your free site survey
Every property is different, and an accurate quotation starts with a visit. Book a free site survey and we will assess your Hertfordshire home or workplace — with honest guidance, a detailed specification, and no obligation to proceed.
