Building control site inspections

Most building work needs to be inspected to make sure it complies with building regulations.  

The number of inspections that you need will depend on: 

• what the works involve 
• the type of application you submit 

We can only grant a completion certificate to works that pass the relevant inspections. You will need to tell us when your job is completed so that we can carry out a final inspection. 

Before work can be inspected 

Before we can inspect building works, you need to apply for building control approval. 

If you apply with full plans, we will check your proposals first and give you formal approval. We will then inspect the work to make sure it follows your approved plans. 

You can also apply with a building notice, but your plans will not be checked in advance. We may need to inspect the work more often to make sure it complies with building regulations.  

You can apply for building control with us or privately with a Registered Building Control Approver. If you use an RBCA, they will notify us about your application to them.  

Booking inspections 

The number and type of inspections you need will vary, depending on your project.  

The 2 types of inspection which are statutory requirements for all projects are: 

• Commencement: When you start the work. You must notify us at least 48 hours before you begin 
• Completion: When you finish the work. This is the final inspection, and we will issue a certificate if the work meets regulations 

It is likely that you will need more inspections than just these. We will appoint a named surveyor after you apply who will tell you how many inspections you need and how to book them.  

Some common types of inspection include: 

• drains 
• damp proofing in walls 
• fire-proofing 
• foundations 
• floor joists 
• insulation 
• occupation, if the building will be occupied before the works are complete 

Your surveyor will be appointed after your application has been validated.  

Inspection fees 

For building notice there is one charge. This is payable at the time of submission. 

For full plans there are 2 charges. The first charge is the Full Plan charge taken at the point of submitting our application. The second charge is the inspection charge payable after the first inspection. 

In both cases the total charge is the same. 

During an inspection 

You or your builder must be on site during the inspection.  

You may need to provide equipment so that we can access the works, including: 

• ladders 
• lighting 
• scaffolding 

Getting a certificate 

You will receive a completion certificate when: 

• a surveyor has inspected the completed work and it complies with the regulations 
• all other appropriate certificates have been received 
• all building control charges have been paid 

Find out more about building control certificates. 

If work is not completed within 3 years 

If your job has not started within 3 years of your application being validated, you will need to resubmit your application and pay any fees. 

If work is stopped for more than 3 years after validation, there will be a minimum charge for 2 hours of surveyor’s time to review the original application plans. This charge is based on the hourly rate at the point of the job being restarted. 

If you carry out works without an inspection 

You can apply for a certificate to certify works that were started or completed without building control approval. This is known as regularisation. 

This is not an alternative way of applying for current building works. It is an application made when works were carried out without approval, or by a previous owner. 

Apply for building control regularisation.