Building regs ran out of time

[Kayharri999]

Hi,

Just after some guidance as having a nightmare with our rear extension.
I applied for planning on a 2 storey rear extension 4 years ago this was approved with no concerns. The architect I used also had a small building company he gave me a quote (he was also recommended by an external building control company who had worked together for many years) so I hired him to complete the extension. Unfortunately he started the job but him and his men would go missing. Turn up for a while then go, say they would be back tomorrow and not turn up. They would also blame suppliers. This went on for approx 3-4 months. We had many discussions to sort it out he just said he was really busy. Eventually they completed the groundwork up to damp etc and another instalment was due. As soon as I paid him he blocked me from his phone. With no contact I had to take him to court. I won the case but didnt receive all the money which left me 20k short for the extension. So I was using an external building control firm. I had to get new builders in and do some of the work myself to save money. Building control visited at each stage. Once the building was at a shell. They said call them when its complete internally. I have done most of this myself. But now 3 years is up and I have ran out of money to complete the external render, the rest of the extension is fully done and we are using it. Building control have said because the render isn't complete the extension cant be passed off so the initial notice e is being cancelled and referred back to the council. I wasnt overly concerned I knew I would have to pay for another notice again but I had no choice. Now today I have been informed from the old external B/C that the council might want to rip apart everything that's been done. Check foundations. Re check all the steels. And dig up all the drains. Has anyone any views on this at all as really worried now. I thought they would just check the item not completed.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

So to sum up, unless I've got this wrong (which is quite possible), you employed an approved inspector, they have washed their hands of it and now you wish to get the Local Authority Building Control in to take over?

 

[Kayharri999]

Sort of. The external building control company said I have run out of time to complete the works. At this point it gets referred back to the council. I then have to apply for retrospective building regs. The extension is complete including fittings decor etc. Just needs external render

 

[Kayharri999]

But the external company are saying council will want to check everything even foundations. Even though everything was passed of already by the external company

 

[Notch7]

Unfortunately he started the job but him and his men would go missing

This is sadly a very common issue with builders.

Builders are often very poor project managers, so they start too many projects and then spread themselves too thin…..resulting in very inefficient working and pizzed off clients.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Though not quite the same situation as the people in this thread, the process will be the same I believe, so have a read here: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/building-control-firm-liquidation.633510/

 

[Murdochcat]

This is why you should never use independent building inspectors

 

[Kayharri999]

Thanks for the replies. I will contact the council and see what happens next.

 

[wessex101]

I read it that the private building control firm haven't gone bust it's just that the OP has taken so long on the build that they have closed down his application. I am a bit confused by the timeline, is it 4 years old, 3 years or 7?
Anyhoo if your only concern is that the local authority building control will want to open up completed works for inspection have you asked the private building control firm if you can pay for a new building notice? I assume they will not want you to open up the old works as they have already inspected it?
The other point to bear in mind is the only thing you are missing is a completion certificate, do you really need one? Unless you are planning on selling the house in the next 5 to 10 years I wouldn't bother. Lots of jobs that drag on never get a completion certificate just because of a few finishing touches. As long as the bulk of the work and main structural elements were inspected I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Kayharri999]

Hi there thankyou for the response. The work from the 1st spade going in has taken 3 years. They then gave me an extension of 3 months to complete the work this has now run out. The extension was very big 7.5 x 7 metres 2 storey, hence why it's taken a while. I dont plan on selling it within the next 10 years. I still feel the timeframe to complete the whole build was really short, as in the end I've had to do the vast majority of the work myself. What I dont understand the external company which is large and has 3 different offices across the area. Said it's my responsibility to prove the work has been done to building regs. Photos etc.This includes all the work they have already inspected and were happy with. Surely this is something they would have done at every stage anyway. They took loads of photos. Surely all the evidence they have should be returned to me or to the council.

 

[Kayharri999]

Good question regarding asking the external for a new notice. Yes I'm only bothered about getting a completion certificate just so in the future if I did ever want to sell it wouldnt be brought up.

 

[mrrusty]

Did you have a contract with the original BC company? What does it say about time, ownership of photos etc? IMHO unless you were made aware on day 1 that the process was time limited, you may have grounds to insist the contract is performed to completion. That's all assuming the BC company are still trading of course.

 

[Kayharri999]

Hi thankyou for the reply. Yes they are still trading I will have to look into the contract and check those details.

 

[^woody^]

I was not aware that there were time limits for the approval process.

 

[mrrusty]

@^woody^ Nor me, but a private company can operate under any contractual terms they choose...