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Struggling to understand building control
Guys I’m really struggling to understand building control.
My architect advised me to use my local authority but my builder has said they are an absolute pain and he advices to use a private company of which he has suggested three.
I have already paid for the building regs application (£230) and I’m happy to write this off if it makes things easier and simpler but can someone please explain the whole process?
Would the council want payment for each subsequent inspection and if so how much (roughly)
The private company are quoting £600 all in.
Due to the party wall agreement in place with our neighbours, the original dividing garden wall must stay in place. They will mean doing the footings in meter segments so not to upset the foundations of the wall. The builder is saying the local authority will be an absolute nightmare with this where the private company will be flexible.
Thanks in advance
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11 Replies
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Depends where you are and what individual you’re dealing with. I had to do my footings in sections for similar reasons and Northampton BC were fine with it. In fact they were very pleasant to work with throughout the entire build for an extension and basement conversion. As long as your site is kept tidy and organised and the builder doesn’t take short cuts you shouldn’t have any issues.
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I can only vouch for Wiltshire council building inspector, one off fee came out whenever needed and was very helpful
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My building inspector has been great. Also under current situation (covid) they trying to do what they can with photos so may be a they do first visit to check grounds then next foundation they be happy with picture with tape measure for depth etc
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We have paid for a private one because they are a lot faster to get things through than the council.
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Be careful there was a private one near us the went into administration and left thousands of jobs not signed off ! The local authority had to pick up the pieces, the local authority will all ways be there !
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Our council building inspector has been fine so far, it has just been photos but I’ve spoken to them on the phone and they’ve been very helpful
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why r u getting involved in it! i really don’t understand why architects/builders don’t take all the stress away from clients! we offer a complete design and build package and that includes all building control, all design features and a turn key package!
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Council building inspector Stockton on Tees has been fantastic, call him and out the same day or next. Really can’t fault him and he seems to know everyone as I done my own build by bringing in my own trades. Would use again and one fee no matter how many inspections.
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LA building control – one fee covers any amount of inspections. Private building control come out only a set number of times and not specially for foundations/DPC/drains etc. Ask yourself why the builders consider the LA a pain…..
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Always council, independent and actually check. Every bodge job I’ve ever seen that has been signed off was done so by a private inspector.
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Not that different usually. If the builder has had bad experiences with LA then it might be a red flag! Unless you chat with a few other local builders, because some areas can have one difficult person in the LA who noone really likes to deal with! For private inspectors there are good and bad like with everything.
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