Building control sign off

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Just a quick couple of queries, is it the responsibility of the builder or the homeowner to ensure building control is signed off at each stage of a build (especially the final cert)
Cheers all
 
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It is up the property owner to make sure the application is in place and inspection are made, credible builders and trades will help you with this process but some don't. The ultimate responsibility lies with the property/home-owner.
 
It's normally delegated or implied under contract that the builder deals with the inspector. The homeowner is employing professionals, and so expects to rely on the builders to liaise with the inspector on their behalf.
 
It's normally delegated or implied under contract that the builder deals with the inspector. The homeowner is employing professionals, and so expects to rely on the builders to liaise with the inspector on their behalf.
Though dubious builders will wriggle here ......

It depends, as has been touched upon, if the builder has specifically been contracted to achieve approval. And as mentioned ultimately it is the building owners responsibility to ensure the works are legal but a conscientious builder will organize inspections/arrange the sign off.
 
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Just a quick couple of queries, is it the responsibility of the builder or the homeowner to ensure building control is signed off at each stage of a build (especially the final cert)
Cheers all
Everything the guys have said I agree with. However, the final cert or completion visit may not be possible until long after the builder has gone. In this instance we advise that the homeowner takes this appointment on and I provide names and numbers.

Things can get sticky when a job is being run by the homeowner whereby many different trades are employed at various stages of the job. "Me mate down the pub....." who has just come off site-work thrashing bricks down, may not have a clue what needs inspecting and what does not.
 
The quick version
We've installed a lean to along the back of a house with a dividing partition glazed wall.
One side is the existing lounge which has patio doors now leading out into the lean to, these remain in place.
The problem lies in the other side of the lean to, this was to be knocked through from the study room to make the study bigger, despite there being no door to the lean to on this side we still thought there may be issues so told the customer building regs would need have to be confirmed before any work commenced.....long story from then but the customer decided to get "her friend" architect who advised it would be ok to proceed, the building inspector also confirmed all would be fine. Anyway we knocked through on the condition that if any further work is required for any reason then that will be chargeable as until building regs had been approved we wouldnt proceed.
Weeks down the line, a new building inspector has failed it, we're saying we advised you against this, the customer and architect friend are now deny this and holding back 4K until the cert comes through.
Our contract states the discription of work and payment plan, no mention of us dealing with and/or producing cert on completion.
I must add she is very happy with the work, I've now issued her 7 days notice for full payment
 
Forgot to mention we did end up knocking through, with the advice from the friend, the verbal OK from the building inspector and the customers approval dispute our warning though we'd be good to go
 
so told the customer building regs would need have to be confirmed before any work

That's a completely different situation to your OP.

A client should be able to rely on the builder knowing about building regulations, and the builder should not only advise when any regulations may or do apply, but should not carry out work that should need approval, without the approval.

There are precedent cases on this.

But in contract terms, the customer cannot withhold payment. They need to pay, and then try and recover any losses separately - where you would use your argument about your advice given, and the customer's assurance that they had researched the matter and building regulations did not apply, and their instruction to proceed.

Bottom line, at this moment, they need to pay you and you are right to demand payment.
 
"and then try and recover any losses separately"

Quite correct - and good luck with that
 
Thanks all, she's holding the 4K to ransom on the presumption that if any further work is required to get the build the approval, this money will be used!!
Funny thing is there's more knock throughs and building work required on the other side of the house that she wants us to do at a later date
 

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