Section 6 - Work in Progress

When the builder has been appointed, agree a start date and make sure the builder writes or faxes the Building Control Officer to confirm his intention to start work.

A Building Control officer will visit the site on the commencement date, meet the builder, establish if there are any apparent problems and confirm the various stages to be inspected. This Building Control Officer will usually be responsible for the site through to completion. It will then be for the builder to ensure that the Building Control Officer is notified to enable him to see all the relevant stages of work.

All that is necessary to arrange further inspections is a phone call, (only the commencement inspection need be in writing). If the call is made before 10.00am an inspection will be made on the same day - between Monday and Friday.

If all statutory inspections are not requested there is a possibility that legal action may be taken and a final certificate will be withheld. This may affect the loan payment and future sale of the property.

It is in your interest to ensure that all the inspections are carried out. Contact the Building Control Section regularly to ensure that this is being done. Below is a full list of items to be inspected: (NB statutory inspections are shown with an “S”)

• At commencement of works (S)
• When the foundation trenches are excavated (S)
• When foundation concrete has been placed (S)
• When the damp proof course is laid and before it is covered over (S)
• After the site preparation hardcore has been laid (S)
• Before the damp proof membrane in the floor has been covered (S)
• When drains are laid but before they are covered over (S)
• Before steel beams and their end bearings are covered up.
• Before covering any timber structural member such as floor joists, roof carcass, timber beams, lintels, trimmers and load bearing or external studding.
• Before covering up any concrete or steel lintels.
• Any reinforcement prior to concreting.
• The soakaway excavation prior to being filled with hard core (S)
• When any problem occurs.
• When the drains and soil and waste appliances are put on a test to show water tightness (S)
• When the works are complete (S)

Remember you pay for the statutory inspections to be carried out and in most instances the Building Control Officer may be the only professional person supervising the work.

Remember to contact the Building Control Section to ensure the inspections are being carried out.

• Previous [page 6]
• Next [page 8]