Building Regulations Confusion!

[Jeeves21]

Hi,

Our architect advised us to go via the full plans route for Building Regs. These were given a "full plans partial discharge of conditional notice approval". The remaining conditions are steel beam and roof lantern trimmer calculations.

The builder we have chosen has recommended we use a private approved inspector as apposed to LABC; is this possible if we have submitted full plans?

Secondly, the builder has advised we can start work before the remaining conditions have been discharged as inspector will check these on site against the structural engineers calculations?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[tony1851]

It's not clear what's going on. Have you already submitted a Building Regs application, which you appear to have done by quoting the conditions?
If so, is your builder recommending dropping the council and going private? In which case, you will be paying twice (and private are usually more expensive than LABC).
No problem starting work pending submission of structural calculations.

 

[^woody^]

Is the builder recommending his mate? What has he got to hide from the council checking his work?

You can't swap now anyway.

 

[Jeeves21]

Thanks for the replies. The builder suggested the private inspector for the inspection element of the process, the full building regs drawings have already been approved subject to the conditions above, is this possible?

It's not clear what's going on. Have you already submitted a Building Regs application, which you appear to have done by quoting the conditions?
If so, is your builder recommending dropping the council and going private? In which case, you will be paying twice (and private are usually more expensive than LABC).
No problem starting work pending submission of structural calculations.

It's good to know we can start work before calculations have been submitted/approved

 

[tony1851]

I'm not sure you can get a private inspector out if the council has already approved the plans?
See Woody above.

 

[^woody^]

Even if possible, is the builder going to cover the extra cost of the private inspector?

 

[Jeeves21]

Even if possible, is the builder going to cover the extra cost of the private inspector?

We have paid the plan charges but have yet to pay/arrange inspection charges to LABC of £552. Unsure if this is comparable to what the private inspector would charge

 

[^woody^]

We have paid the plan charges but have yet to pay/arrange inspection charges to LABC of £552. Unsure if this is comparable to what the private inspector would charge

You have made an application to the council. That's it, end of.

 

[Jeeves21]

You have made an application to the council. That's it, end of.

Fair enough. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

 

[noseall]

Is the builder recommending his mate?

Might as well be. As with all private inspectors (Tony 1851's favourite), all you need do is set up a WhatsApp connection with them and keep them supplied with photos. Some won't even care if there is snow in the image in the middle of August.