I was one of the early CfSH training guinea pigs at BRE Watford.

The training course seemed pretty good to me at the time, but that was a few years back.

I've not seen their most recent software, as I don't actually undertake CfSH assessments myself (just SAP's/EPC's - although I've worked through the energy side of things with a lot of Code Assessors).

I've heard (from others) that the STROMA training is pretty good too. Again no idea if the software is better/cheaper...

Stroma every time. Basically just a far more reasonable and helpful organization.

J

I have been a victim of the CfSH. From my perspective the BRE is the last thing you want to lumber your clients with. For small developments BRE cost more for registration as they have a minimum charge equivalent to 10 units. They are very unhelpful and slow to respond to the assessor. Submissions take months to process. Your clients won't value a BRE brag tag when the project is stalled for months while some infantile pedant practices being deliberately obstructive.
STROMA were very helpful to me directly even though we were lumbered with BRE.

Platesofbeef:

As a trained BREEAM Assessor, an employer of a BRE CSH Assessor and a designer who has achieved BREEAM Excellent on several projects, I and my CSH Assessor no longer have any interest in working with BRE who are unhelpful, pedantic, slow, expensive and just downright infuriating. Assessor memberships will be cancelled as soon as the last CSH project on our books is completed in a couple of weeks time.

Stroma we use for SAP and have had no issues.

Thanks for all the comments. I'm disappointed, althouhg not surprised, to hear about BRE. But, I'm also happy that I seemed to have been lucky in my choice of course.