Building Consents Ltd are Approved Building Inspectors covering the North West & Midlands.
Get a quote for your building regulations approval today.
Whether you are undertaking a new build, an extension or making structural alterations to your home, you will need Building Regulations approval from a building inspector.
Approved Inspectors are companies that can provide an alternative to obtaining building regulations approval from a local authority and Approved Inspectors are the only Building Control Bodies to be approved, independently monitored, and regulated by CICAIR under the Building Act 1984 to carry out building control work in England and Wales.
Approved Inspectors registered with CICAIR Ltd are qualified to undertake building control work in accordance with Part II of the Building Act 1984 and the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010. Approved Inspectors Work in Partnership with you, to guide you through the Building Regulation approval process to ensure a successful completion of your project.
Private building control inspectors and the local authority:
Private building control inspectors and local authority building inspectors must both adhere to the same set of building regulations – and ensure that your project does the same.
If you’re searching for a ‘private building control inspector near you’ or you want to go through the local authority building control route, they follow the same set of standards and practices. Both will need to sign off on the technical drawings for your build and to make site visits to your project at certain points.
The idea is that the inspector can advise your builder and ensure that the work is progressing in line with regulations – which could save you expensive remedial work at a later stage
The differences between the local authority & private buildings inspectors
What is the difference between the local authority building control vs private approved inspector, although they must follow the same rules and regulations, there’re still some differences between them. One being the application process is a bit different.
With private building control, they will apply for approval. They must also give ‘initial notice’ to the local authority, letting them know about your building project.
Upon completion, the private building inspector will issue a completion certificate, which is a final certificate to the local authority to confirm the work has been completed in line with building regulations.
If you use a local authority building control inspector, you’ll need to apply yourself for approval via the government planning portal.
Why Use Building Consents Ltd for your Building Inspections?
All our approved inspectors are qualified professionals with many years of Building Control Experience both in the public and Private sectors.
Most of our building control surveyors have an HNC, HND or a degree or an equivalent qualification, and are normally accredited member of a professional body such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building Engineers (CABE) or The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
How a Private Building Inspector helps:
• Works closely with architects, designers, builders, and engineers.
• Makes sure building designs and plans meet regulations.
• Suggests ways to make the building project more cost effective like reducing energy and water use.
• Carry out regular site inspections at each stage of the building process.
• Write inspection reports and keep records.
• Issue completion certificates.
At Building Consents, we check all aspects of construction including but not limited to:
• foundations
• damp-proofing
• structural issues
• insulation
• ventilation
• heating
• sanitation
• the accessibility of a building
• fire protection and means of escape in case of fire
Checks by the Building Inspector
This varies with each type of build below is a domestic extension to give an example of possible inspection checks.
Commencement: The first inspection will allow 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: They will look to check ground conditions to ensure that the foundations are sufficient to carry the load of your construction. This is before any foundations concrete is poured.
Oversite Materials: Another inspection will be made to ensure materials and insulation over the site are suitable.
Damp-Proof Courses and Membranes: All damp-proof courses, damp proof membranes, and methane barriers are to be inspected prior to covering with brickwork or concrete.
Drainage Alignment: All new drainage needs to be inspected for alignment prior to covering over. This is to ensure the right access and fall is provided.
Drain Test: Wherever possible, the new drainage systems should have a water test carried out on them, to check for performance and water tightness.
Pre-Plasterboard: Allows for the inspection of hidden work and is to be carried out prior to plaster-boarding. This will also include any structural steelwork and the roof construction.
Prior to Occupation: If there is an intention to occupy the building prior to completion of the full works, then there needs to be 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.
They may also look for the following:
• They may need to see the floor and ceiling joists to ensure they are in accordance with the approved drawing.
• They will want to check the size, grade and centres of the joists, together with any strutting and restraint strapping.
• All of the roof timber/trusses may be checked for correct size and grade of timbers at the correct spacing.
• They will be interested in both thermal and sound insulation to make sure it is of the correct type and thickness.
• The structural integrity of the building is very important, but equally the fire safety and glazing regulations need to be precisely adhered to.
• The staircase must conform to several important rules. If there are problems they can be expensive to put right.
• The approved plans do not always illustrate compliance to every regulation and on-site mistakes can happen.
For an informal discussion about your project, or to discuss our services feel free to contact us or request a quote.