Number of building control visits

Maddog123 · 17 Sep 2020

Hi all,

I’m just after some advice regarding what the adequate number of visits should be from building control for a single story 4m extension?

Basically, I think the builder cut comers on a number of things and when I questioned it with him he said everything was above board as it has been signed off by building control. He mentioned that they visited before and after which got me thinking that surely they should visit more than this at numerous stages such at excavation, roof structure, steel installation and completion.

Sorry, I have no idea what the correct procedure is but something doesn’t seem quite right to me.

What are your guys thoughts? Would you say this is acceptable for building control?

Many thanks

SpecialK · 17 Sep 2020

Ask for the details of building control and give them a ring. If they are happy signing it off then that is fine?

Main inspection points are...

Commencement.
Excavation, (before excavations are filled).
Foundations (before they are covered up).
Laying of damp proof courses.
Installation of new drains (before covering up).
Construction of the primary structure.
Installation of insulation.
Roof construction.
Completion.

garyo · 17 Sep 2020

Normally the minimum is:

-Bottom of foundations,
-oversite with hardcore,
-insulation under slab and DPM etc (depends on construction method)
-roof on, at which point you have the whole structure complete and exposed.
-final completion, which can double up to check roof insulation (again, this varies depending on construction method, if pir will be encased behind plasterboard then they want to come half way through this process too)

^woody^ · 17 Sep 2020

Nowadays the inspection regime is risk assessed when you apply and you are notified the number of visits that the inspectors will carry out. Normally 4 or 5 for a typical extension and any more may be chargeable.

Maddog123 · 17 Sep 2020

Thanks so much for the replies everybody.

Don’t worry I will be sure to get in touch with building control.

my concern is that the building inspector is mates with the builder and will no doubt will try and fob me off which is why I just wanted to see what you thought were.

So 2 visits (before the work started and after completion) is certainly not enough to gage a true reflection of the work and if everything was done correctly?

Many thanks.

tony1851 · 17 Sep 2020

Private inspectors generally do fewer site visits, often going off photographs.

DevilDamo · 17 Sep 2020

Who is or dealt with the Building Control side of things... Local Authority or an Approved Inspector?

Notch7 · 18 Sep 2020

tony1851 said:
Private inspectors generally do fewer site visits, often going off photographs.

Private inspectors are most vigilant, 3 visits at least 10 seconds a visit.

I asked the building inspector how many jobs he had on his list: "over 200" was the answer.
That's one of the big national private inspectors.

It's what I call the "specsavers business model" ......if you've ever used em, you'll know their approach.

garyo · 18 Sep 2020

Notch7 said:
3 visits at least 10 seconds a visit.

I only ever use the local authority. My visits are between 5 and 30 seconds. If I'm stupid enough to ask a question then sometimes they extend to 2 minutes.

I read the threads on diynot in bewilderment at people having problems with their inspector pulling them up on tiny details such as the diameter of the drain pipe that they've used in their kitchen.

I can only assume that they have some kind of spider-sense and have already made their mind up as they get out of their car?

Maddog123 · 18 Sep 2020

DevilDamo said:
Who is or dealt with the Building Control side of things... Local Authority or an Approved Inspector?

It was an approved inspector

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Number of building control visits

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