don't know about his figures, but I emailed my local building control (Romsey) to ask about the cost of inspections if I were to DIY move a bathroom light switch (as an academic example you understand..)
I recived the following in response.
Dear Sir....
....snip..."
Where a building regulation application is made the authority will require
the applicant to either provide a certificate from a competent person
confirming the works are satisfactory or to arrange to have the works to be
tested.
In setting the charge for this, it is important to remember that authority
is required to recover its cost and this may result in a dual charge for
electrical work.
Whilst this is still to be agreed and further guidance is expected from the
ODPM, It is likely that the where a certificate is provided the charge will
be based on the minimum charge specified in table three of the Council scale
of charges (at present £60.00 but likely to increase from the 1st January
2005). However where it is necessary to have the works tested the charge
will increase substantially and a charge of between £250-£500 have been
suggested.
"
...snip...
Considering the switch costs erm 4 quid, and the cable 50p, I can see most people being quite happy to forget.
Also the 'regularisation' regime is such that in doubtful cases a PIR at sale time will probably be acceptable -see
http://www.lxsouth.co.uk/dsa-partp.pdf
I realise this is a draft, but BCOs will have a regularisation regime, as they do for all other aspects. All this does is bump up the houseprice, and bring in by the back door, the sensible thing that protects others, by doing what should probably have been done in the first place.
regards M.
