Building Control Inspection Requirements - When Should Building Control Inspect Works on Site?
What Are My Building Control Inspection Requirements?
When working on a construction project, it is crucial to keep your appointed Building Control Body (BCB) in the loop, ensuring that Building Regulations Inspection requirements are met. BRBs are independent bodies with the power to sign off your construction work, confirming that your project is safe, compliant, and up to current standards.
At the points below, your contractor should organise an inspection with your BRB. These points vary depending on the type and complexity of the project you are undertaking, so it is essential to confirm these with your BCB before commencing works on site. It is a good idea to make a note of these stages so that you can be sure that any inspections that need to happen do so at the right time.
Below is a quick rundown of the critical inspection stages for common domestic project types:
Extensions:
1. Excavation/Foundations – (before concreting)
2. DPC/Oversite – (before concreting)
3. Below-ground drainage – (before backfilling)
4. Superstructure – walls, floors, roofs and insulation – (before enclosing)
5. Completion
Loft conversions:
1. Structure – walls, floors and roofs – (before enclosing)
2. Insulation
3. Completion
Garage conversions:
1. Excavation/Foundations – (before concreting – if applicable)
2. Insulation/Damp-proofing
3. Completion
Internal alterations:
1. Structural works – (before enclosing)
2. Completion
New Build Dwellings/Flats:
1. Excavation/Foundations – (before concreting)
2. DPC/Oversite – (before concreting)
3. Below-ground drainage – (before backfilling)
4. Superstructure – walls, floors, roofs and insulation – (before
enclosing)
5. Compartmentation/fire stopping
6. Completion
New Dwellings/Flats by Conversion/Change of Use:
1. Excavation/Foundations – (before concreting – if applicable)
2. DPC/Oversite – (before concreting)
3. Below-ground drainage – (before backfilling)
4. Superstructure – walls, floors, roofs and insulation – (before enclosing)
5. Compartmentation/fire stopping
6. Completion
Remember, these are just the typical stages at which inspections are necessary. Depending on your specific project, your BCB may need to undertake more inspections than this. Confirming these in advance and keeping them in the loop allows them to ensure that your project meets all the necessary regulations and standards. It's much better to find and fix any potential issues early, as dealing with them later down the line can be costly and time-consuming.
While your BCB plays an integral role in checking your project's compliance with building regulations, it's important to remember that their scope is limited. Their remit does not extend to overseeing the execution of the design itself or to ensuring that your contractor sticks to the specifics of your agreement. That's where appointing a qualified Architect to oversee the works on site can pay dividends.
Holtbeck Architects understands the intricacies of each stage of construction, making us well-positioned to ensure that your project is executed precisely to your specifications and in line with your written agreement with your contractor. By working with us, using an suitable Building Contract, and organising regular inspections of ongoing work (by us as well as your BCB) you can proceed with your project in the knowledge that your build has the best possible chances of turning out as you imagined, free of surprises and hiccups.