TM44 Company Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before Booking an Air Conditioning Inspection

Choosing a TM44 company should not be treated like buying the cheapest certificate online.

For many commercial buildings, a TM44 air conditioning inspection is not just another compliance document. It is the formal assessment that helps show whether a qualifying air conditioning system has been inspected, whether the report has been properly prepared, and whether the building operator has evidence if a landlord, buyer, tenant, managing agent, insurer, local authority or internal compliance team asks for proof.

The problem is simple: many businesses only start looking for a TM44 inspection company when the issue becomes urgent. A property is being sold. A lease is being renewed. A compliance audit has raised a gap. A facilities manager has found an old report that expired years ago. A new managing agent has taken over a building and discovered that no one can confirm whether the AC system has ever been inspected.

At that point, the wrong TM44 provider can cause delays, confusion and weak documentation. The right provider makes the process clear.

Before choosing a provider, it helps to understand what a TM44 inspection actually involves. Our full guide to TM44 air conditioning inspections explains the inspection process, legal purpose and what businesses should expect during the site visit.

This guide gives you a practical 15-point checklist to help you choose the right TM44 inspection company before you book.

If you already know your building needs a TM44 inspection, you can request a TM44 quote through TM44.uk and our team will review the site details, AC asset information and inspection requirements before confirming the next step.

What Is a TM44 Company?

A TM44 company is a provider that arranges, carries out or manages TM44 air conditioning inspections for commercial, public sector and non-domestic buildings.

In practice, the company may be:

• An accredited air conditioning energy assessor

• A specialist TM44 inspection provider

• A building compliance company

• An energy assessment company

• A facilities compliance partner

• A subcontractor network managed by a central compliance team

The important point is not what the company calls itself. The important point is whether the inspection is carried out correctly, by a suitable accredited assessor, and whether the final report gives the responsible person usable evidence of compliance.

A professional TM44 company should be able to explain:

• Whether your system is likely to fall within scope

• What information is needed before quoting

• Whether the building needs one report or more than one

• What the assessor will check on site

• How the report and certificate will be issued

• Whether government lodgement is included

• How long the process usually takes

• What evidence you should keep after completion

If you want a deeper breakdown of the formal compliance position, read our page on TM44 inspection requirements in the UK.

Why Choosing the Right TM44 Company Matters

On paper, a TM44 inspection sounds straightforward. Someone visits the site, checks the air conditioning system, writes a report and provides a certificate.

In reality, commercial buildings are rarely that simple.

A site may have:

• Several split systems across different rooms

• Outdoor condenser units on roofs, yards or plant areas

• Multiple buildings under one site address

• Systems that were installed in phases

• No current asset list

• Missing service records

• F-Gas records but no clear equipment schedule

• Tenant-controlled systems inside landlord-controlled premises

• Decommissioned units still visible on site

• Server rooms or specialist areas running cooling constantly

• A managing agent, landlord and occupier all assuming someone else is responsible

A weak provider may quote quickly but fail to ask enough questions. A good TM44 company will slow the process down just enough to make sure the scope is correct.

That matters because the quality of the first conversation often determines the quality of the report.

TM44.uk operates as a TM44 specialist in the UK, supporting commercial buildings, managing agents, portfolio owners and facilities teams that need the inspection handled properly.

Quick Comparison: Cheap TM44 Provider vs Professional TM44 Provider

Area	Cheap or rushed provider	Professional TM44 company
Quotation	Gives a price with minimal information	Asks for asset list, site details, access and building layout
Assessor	May not clearly explain accreditation	Confirms the inspection is handled by a suitable assessor
Scope	May treat the whole site as one simple job	Checks whether there are multiple buildings, systems or responsibilities
Evidence	Basic certificate focus	Report, certificate, recommendations and compliance evidence
Turnaround	May promise speed without checking complexity	Gives realistic timescales based on site size
Support	Limited after the report	Helps the client understand the findings
Best for	Very simple, low-risk sites	Commercial buildings, portfolios and compliance-sensitive properties

The cheapest quote is not always the cheapest outcome. If the scope is wrong, the report is delayed, or key assets are missed, you can lose more time than you saved.

The 15-Point TM44 Company Checklist

Use this checklist before booking any TM44 inspection company.

1. Are They Using a Properly Accredited TM44 Assessor?

This is the first check.

A TM44 inspection must be carried out by an appropriately accredited air conditioning energy assessor. This is not the same as a normal air conditioning engineer, maintenance contractor or F-Gas technician.

An AC maintenance engineer may be highly experienced with plant, servicing and repairs. However, TM44 reporting is a specific compliance assessment. The assessor needs to understand the inspection methodology, reporting requirements, evidence standards and lodgement process.

Before booking, ask:

• Who will carry out the inspection?

• Are they accredited for TM44 air conditioning energy assessments?

• What level or type of systems can they assess?

• Will the final certificate and report be issued correctly?

• Is government lodgement included where required?

A good TM44 company should answer these questions clearly.

For more detail, read our guide on who can carry out a TM44 inspection.

2. Do They Understand the 12 kW Rule Properly?

One of the biggest causes of TM44 non-compliance is misunderstanding the 12 kW threshold.

Some businesses wrongly assume that TM44 only applies if one individual air conditioning unit is over 12 kW. In many cases, the relevant issue is the combined effective rated output of the air conditioning system under the responsible person’s control.

For example:

Site	AC setup	Likely TM44 risk
Small office	3 split units at 5 kW each	Combined output may exceed 12 kW
Dental practice	Reception, surgery rooms and staff area cooling	Often overlooked
School	IT room, admin block and classroom cooling	May qualify even if not fully air conditioned
Retail unit	Sales floor and back-office split systems	Common TM44 trigger
Multi-tenant office	Several systems under landlord or tenant control	Responsibility needs checking

A good TM44 company will not simply ask, “How many units do you have?” They will also ask about capacity, building layout, responsibility and whether systems are linked to the same building or site.

If you are unsure whether your building qualifies, use our TM44 checker or read our guide to checking the TM44 12 kW threshold.

3. Do They Ask for the Right Information Before Quoting?

A serious TM44 company will usually ask for basic information before giving a final price.

This may include:

• Site address

• Building type

• Number of buildings

• Number of indoor and outdoor units

• AC asset list, if available

• F-Gas register, if available

• Maintenance records, if available

• Access details

• Roof access requirements

• Plant room access

• Site contact details

• Parking arrangements

• Whether this is a first inspection or renewal

• Whether previous TM44 reports exist

If a company gives a very low quote without asking anything meaningful, be careful. That may mean the price will change later or the assessor may arrive without understanding the site.

At TM44.uk, we normally ask for the key site and asset details first so the quote matches the real scope. You can read what information is usually needed in our guide: what we need from you for a TM44 quote.

4. Do They Know the Difference Between TM44, F-Gas and AC Servicing?

Many businesses confuse TM44 inspections with F-Gas checks or routine air conditioning maintenance.

They are connected, but they are not the same.

Requirement	Main purpose	Typical focus
TM44 inspection	Energy efficiency and compliance	System efficiency, controls, sizing, operation and recommendations
F-Gas leak check	Refrigerant compliance	Leak testing, refrigerant records and environmental control
AC servicing	Maintenance and performance	Filters, coils, faults, repairs and general operation
AC installation	New system works	Design, supply, fitting and commissioning

A maintenance contractor may service the system every six months. That does not automatically mean the site has a valid TM44 report.

A professional TM44 company will understand how these documents work together. They may ask for F-Gas records and service reports because they help the assessor understand the equipment, but they will not pretend that F-Gas paperwork replaces a TM44 inspection.

If you want to understand the difference properly, read our guide on TM44 vs F-Gas inspections. TM44.uk also provides F-Gas leak testing and compliance checks where this is needed alongside wider air conditioning compliance support.

5. Do They Include Government Lodgement?

A TM44 report should not just sit as an internal PDF if formal lodgement is required.

A proper provider should explain how the certificate and report are issued and lodged. Government lodgement is important because it gives the compliance document an official record rather than leaving the building owner with a private document that may not satisfy a future check.

Before booking, ask:

• Is government lodgement included?

• Will we receive the certificate and report?

• Will the report be linked to the correct building?

• How will the final documents be sent?

• What evidence should we keep for our compliance file?

TM44.uk has a dedicated service page for TM44 certificate and government lodgement if you need this handled properly from start to finish.

6. Do They Understand Whether the Site Needs One Report or Multiple Reports?

This is a common issue with schools, industrial estates, business parks, hospitals, universities, retail parks, logistics sites and mixed-use commercial properties.

A site may have one postal address but several buildings. The buildings may be physically linked, separately occupied, independently controlled or served by different AC systems.

A poor provider may quote everything as one report without checking. A better provider will ask:

• Are the buildings connected or standalone?

• Are the AC systems shared or separate?

• Who controls each system?

• Is there one responsible person or several?

• Are there separate meters, leases or operational areas?

• Are any buildings decommissioned or unused?

This matters because the report structure must reflect the actual compliance position.

Example:

A food production site has one postal address, eight buildings and 87 AC units. If the buildings operate separately and the AC systems are independent, the compliance structure may be different from a single office block with one shared system.

That is why accurate site information matters before the quote is finalised.

If you manage several buildings or sites, our TM44 portfolio management service can help organise inspection planning across multiple properties.

7. Can They Handle Commercial Buildings, Not Just Small Offices?

A simple office with a few wall-mounted split units is one thing. A large commercial building is another.

A serious TM44 company should be comfortable dealing with:

• Offices

• Schools and colleges

• Healthcare premises

• GP surgeries and clinics

• Hotels

• Restaurants and commercial kitchens

• Warehouses

• Industrial buildings

• Laboratories and clean rooms

• Retail chains

• Shopping centres

• Data rooms and server rooms

• Multi-site portfolios

• Public sector buildings

• Managing agent portfolios

The more complex the building, the more important the provider’s process becomes.

For example, a school may have limited access times, safeguarding requirements, roof plant access and split systems across different blocks. A food production site may have hygiene controls, operational restrictions and equipment spread across production, offices and welfare areas. A corporate office may have tenant areas, landlord areas and server room cooling that runs outside normal office hours.

The right TM44 company will plan the inspection around the building, not force every building into the same simple template.

For sector-specific guidance, you can read our articles on TM44 inspections for schools and colleges, TM44 for office buildings and TM44 for restaurants, pubs and commercial kitchens.

8. Do They Provide Clear Pricing?

A professional TM44 quote should make the commercial position clear.

The quote should ideally confirm:

• Site address

• Scope of inspection

• Number of known units or systems

• Whether lodgement is included

• Whether VAT applies

• Report turnaround expectation

• Access assumptions

• Any exclusions

• Whether additional buildings or units may affect pricing

• Payment terms or PO requirements

Vague pricing creates problems later.

For example, if the quote says “TM44 inspection” but the site has multiple buildings, no asset list and difficult roof access, the client and provider may have very different expectations.

A good provider will give a price that is fair, but also properly scoped.

If you are comparing quotes, do not only compare the final number. Compare what is included. For more detail, see our guide to TM44 inspection cost in the UK.

9. Do They Offer Realistic Turnaround Times?

Speed matters, especially if the inspection is needed for a sale, lease, audit, compliance notice or internal deadline.

However, unrealistic speed promises can be a warning sign.

A professional company should be able to explain:

• Earliest site attendance

• Expected report turnaround

• Whether the report depends on missing information

• Whether multiple buildings will take longer

• Whether access restrictions could delay completion

• Whether urgent service is available

For smaller sites, the process can often move quickly if access is straightforward and the asset information is available. Larger or more complex sites may need more time for inspection, data checking and report preparation.

If you need rapid attendance, look at our Emergency TM44 24/48 Hour Service.

10. Do They Understand What Evidence a Client Needs After the Inspection?

The final report is not just for the assessor. It is for the person responsible for proving compliance later.

A strong TM44 company should help the client understand what to keep on file.

Useful evidence may include:

• TM44 certificate

• Full TM44 report

• Lodgement confirmation, where applicable

• Asset list used for the assessment

• F-Gas records

• Maintenance records

• Site photographs, where relevant

• Recommendation summary

• Internal compliance notes

• Renewal reminder date

This matters because many businesses change facilities managers, managing agents or landlords. Five years later, no one remembers where the report is.

A clear compliance file avoids panic later.

For a deeper guide, read our TM44 inspection evidence guide and our article on TM44 compliance file documents businesses should keep.

11. Do They Explain the Recommendations Properly?

A TM44 inspection is not only about proving that the report exists. The report should also help the building operator understand how the air conditioning system could perform more efficiently.

Recommendations may relate to:

• Poor controls

• Simultaneous heating and cooling

• Incorrect time settings

• Old or inefficient units

• Poor maintenance evidence

• Blocked filters

• Poor zoning

• Excessive cooling in low-use areas

• Oversized or undersized systems

• High running hours

• Server rooms or specialist rooms being cooled inefficiently

A basic provider may send the report and disappear. A better provider will explain what the main findings mean in plain English.

That is important because some recommendations may be quick operational fixes, while others may require planned investment.

Example:

Finding	What it may mean	Possible action
AC running outside occupancy hours	Energy waste	Review timer settings
No clear maintenance records	Weak compliance evidence	Improve record keeping
Old split systems	Poor efficiency	Plan replacement cycle
Heating and cooling conflict	Controls issue	Review zoning and controls
Poor access to outdoor units	Maintenance risk	Improve access arrangements

A good TM44 company helps turn the report into a practical action plan.

For more detail, read our guide on TM44 report recommendations explained or our dedicated TM44 report service page.

12. Do They Have UK-Wide Coverage?

For a single small local site, a local assessor may be enough.

For property portfolios, national businesses and multi-site operators, UK-wide coverage becomes much more valuable.

UK-wide coverage helps when the client has sites across:

• London

• Birmingham

• Manchester

• Leeds

• Sheffield

• Bristol

• Cardiff

• Edinburgh

• Glasgow

• Newcastle

• Nottingham

• Leicester

• Liverpool

• Oxford

• Cambridge

• Reading

• Milton Keynes

• Portsmouth

• Coventry

• Other towns and commercial centres across the UK

A central provider can help keep pricing, documentation and communication consistent.

TM44.uk provides UK-wide TM44 inspection support and has dedicated pages for key cities and regions through our areas we cover section.

13. Do They Understand Managing Agents and Portfolio Work?

Managing agents and facilities companies often need more than a one-off certificate.

They need:

• Clear communication

• Formal quotes

• PO handling

• Site contact coordination

• Multi-site planning

• Report tracking

• Evidence management

• Fast response times

• Consistent documentation

• Renewal reminders

If you manage multiple properties, ask whether the TM44 company can handle portfolio compliance rather than one job at a time.

A strong provider should be able to work with:

• Property managers

• Facilities managers

• Compliance managers

• Landlords

• Asset managers

• Schools and academies

• Healthcare groups

• Retail operators

• Industrial groups

• Commercial managing agents

For this type of work, see our guide to TM44 for managing agents and portfolio compliance and our TM44 portfolio management service.

14. Do They Help You Avoid Common TM44 Mistakes?

The best TM44 companies do not only complete inspections. They help clients avoid mistakes before they become problems.

Common mistakes include:

• Assuming AC servicing is the same as TM44

• Forgetting that multiple small units can exceed the threshold

• Waiting until a sale or lease deadline

• Not keeping asset lists updated

• Losing previous reports

• Not knowing who is responsible in a landlord and tenant situation

• Ignoring rooftop or hidden units

• Failing to check decommissioned systems

• Not confirming if multiple buildings need separate reporting

• Booking based only on the cheapest quote

A good provider should spot these issues early.

If your building has no current asset list, read our guide on what happens when there is no asset list for a TM44 inspection.

15. Do They Make the Booking Process Simple?

Finally, the right TM44 company should make the next step easy.

A clean booking process should include:

• Quick quote request

• Clear information checklist

• Confirmation of scope

• Agreed inspection date

• Named site contact

• Arrival window

• Access requirements

• Report turnaround expectation

• Invoice and PO handling

• Delivery of final documents

The customer should not have to chase every stage.

At TM44.uk, the process is designed to help businesses move from enquiry to inspection without unnecessary confusion. If you are ready to proceed, you can request a TM44 quote and send the site information for review.

Practical Example: Choosing Between Three TM44 Quotes

Imagine a compliance manager receives three quotes for a 45-unit site.

Provider	Quote style	Risk
Provider A	Very cheap, one-line email, no questions	Scope may be wrong
Provider B	Mid-range price, asks for asset list, access and building layout	More likely to be accurate
Provider C	High price, no clear turnaround	May be safe but poor value

The best choice is not always the cheapest or most expensive. The best choice is usually the provider that understands the site, explains the scope and gives a clear route to completion.

For most businesses, Provider B is the sensible choice.

TM44 Company Scoring Chart

Use this simple scoring table when comparing providers.

Check	Score 0	Score 1	Score 2
Accreditation	Not clear	Mentioned but not explained	Clearly confirmed
Scope checking	No questions	Basic questions	Detailed asset and site review
Lodgement	Not mentioned	Optional	Included and explained
Pricing	Vague	Partly clear	Fully scoped
Turnaround	Unknown	Estimated	Realistic and confirmed
UK coverage	Local only	Regional	UK-wide
Report support	Sends PDF only	Basic explanation	Practical guidance
Portfolio ability	No	Limited	Strong process

Maximum score: 16.

If a provider scores below 8, be cautious. If they score 12 or above, they are more likely to handle the job properly.

When You Should Book a TM44 Inspection Urgently

You should treat TM44 as urgent if:

• Your previous report has expired

• You cannot find your report

• You are selling a commercial property

• You are leasing or refinancing a building

• A tenant, landlord or managing agent has requested evidence

• Your AC system may exceed 12 kW

• You have received a compliance query

• You have multiple small AC units but no assessment

• You are preparing for an audit

• You have inherited a building with poor records

• You operate a public-facing or compliance-sensitive site

Waiting usually makes the process harder.

The earlier you check the position, the easier it is to arrange inspection, collect documents and avoid pressure.

If you need to understand whether your historic report is still valid, read our guide to the TM44 register and how lodged records relate to building compliance.

Why Businesses Choose TM44.uk

TM44.uk is built specifically around TM44 air conditioning compliance.

Instead of treating TM44 as an add-on service buried inside a general maintenance company, TM44.uk focuses on helping building owners, landlords, facilities managers, compliance managers and commercial operators arrange inspections properly.

Businesses choose TM44.uk because we provide:

• UK-wide TM44 inspection support

• Clear quote handling

• Support with asset list review

• Accredited assessor coordination

• TM44 certificate and government lodgement support

• Commercial building experience

• Support for schools, offices, healthcare, retail, industrial and portfolio sites

• Fast response for urgent inspections

• Practical guidance before and after the inspection

• Clear communication with site contacts and compliance teams

If you want to compare what makes a strong provider, read our guide on why choose TM44.uk.

Internal Compliance Checklist Before You Request a Quote

Before contacting a TM44 company, prepare as much of this information as possible:

• Full site address

• Company name

• Invoice address

• Site contact name

• Site contact mobile number

• Number of AC units

• AC asset list, if available

• F-Gas register, if available

• Service reports, if available

• Previous TM44 report, if available

• Access notes

• Parking information

• Roof access information

• Preferred inspection date

• Any PO requirements

You do not need everything before asking for help, but the more information you provide, the more accurate the quote will be.

Final Verdict: How to Choose the Right TM44 Company

Choosing the right TM44 company is not just about getting the cheapest quote. It is about making sure the inspection is handled correctly, the report is prepared properly, the compliance evidence is clear and your business has something reliable to show if questioned by a landlord, buyer, insurer, managing agent or enforcement body.

The best TM44 provider should be able to prove five things:

• They use suitable accredited assessors

• They understand the 12 kW threshold and building scope

• They include proper reporting and lodgement support

• They provide clear pricing and realistic timescales

• They help you keep useful compliance evidence after the inspection

If a provider cannot explain those points clearly, keep looking.

TM44.uk supports commercial buildings across the UK with clear pricing, practical guidance and accredited TM44 inspection support. If you are ready to compare your options properly, request a TM44 quote and send us your site details, asset list and any existing maintenance records.