What inspections are required
Building Control Partnership surveyors carry out site inspections to determine that building works being undertaken comply with the Building Regulations. The number and nature of the site inspections vary according to the type of works being undertaken. At least 48 hours before work is due to commence, you should notify Building Control; this can be done by using the commencement notice provided with your approval or attached to the building notice form, or by contacting us directly
Please be aware that, if you have not obtained approval where the 'full plan' application option is followed, any works commenced will continue at your own risk until approval is granted. Any works found to be incorrect on the plan examination but carried out on site would have to be corrected.
A Building Control Surveyor will visit on commencement of the works to discuss the further inspections that will have to be made. It is you or your builder's responsibility to notify us on completion of each stage of the work to enable an inspection to be carried out. You can use the 'Booking an inspection' feature to do this, or alternatively you can contact us. As another option, you can send us the inspection request card provided with your plan approval of acknowledgement letter, with the relevant inspection stage indicated.
Inspections requested before 10am any weekday will, in normal circumstances, be carried out on the same day of the request.
After the commencement inspection, you will be invoiced directly for a one-off inspection charge, as set out in the letter that accompanied your Full Plans approval certificate or the Building Notice acknowledgement letter. This covers all further inspections made during building work. Note: some applications are not subject to separate inspection charges, as it will have been paid with the application submission.
All projects will be assessed in terms of the critical elements that need to be inspected and an inspection framework will be developed. For most domestic extensions the following inspections are normally made.
Inspection Comments
Commencement - This first inspection allows you to meet and discuss your proposals and subsequent course of action with your Building Control Surveyor. This is particularly important for Building Notice applications where no plans have been submitted for approval.
Foundations - Allows ground conditions to be checked to ensure that the foundations are sufficient to carry the load of your proposals. This inspection must take place before the foundation concrete is poured.
Oversite Materials - An inspection will be made before floor areas are concreted or covered to ensure materials and insulation over the site are suitable.
Damp-Proof Courses and Membranes - Wall damp-proof courses, floor damp proof membranes, methane barriers are to be inspected prior to covering with brickwork or concrete.
Drainage Alignment and Fall - All new drainage is inspected for alignment prior to covering over, and to ensure adequate access and fall is provided.
Pre-plasterboard - Allows for the inspection of hidden work and is to be carried out prior to plaster-boarding. This generally will include any structural steelwork and the roof construction.
Drain Test - Wherever possible, the new drainage systems should have a water test carried out on them, to check for performance and water tightness.
Prior to Occupation - If you intend to occupy the building prior to completion of the full works, we need to carry out an inspection before occupation.
Completion - Notification is required when the works are completed to allow this inspection to be carried out. If everything is found to be satisfactory, a Completion Certificate will be issued. Ideally, this inspection is carried out before the builder leaves the site.
Please be aware that the inspections we carry out are to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations, particularly Health and Safety matters. This should not be confused with a full supervision service, which would normally be carried out by your own Architect, Surveyor or Clerk of Works.
Commercial projects and new housing
For commercial projects and new housing, the above inspections (where appropriate) will be carried out. Also additional inspections such as fire stopping checks and general construction inspections, depending on size and scale of the project, will also be undertaken.
In all cases, please ensure you contact The Building Control Partnership to arrange for a completion inspection before the end of the project. This will ensure that, subject to the works being satisfactory, a Completion Certificate is issued; this is your evidence of Building Regulation compliance and is required when you sell your property. It is advisable to obtain a completion certificate before finalising your contract with your builder.
Completion Certificates
Providing that each stage of inspection has been notified to the Council, and the Building Control Surveyor is satisfied that the work complies with the Building Regulations, a "Completion Certificate" will be issued. This certificate is your evidence that the work complies with the Building Regulations and is often required for the sale of your property.