Building Control Inspections
- When do Building Control need to inspect?
- How do I book an inspection?
- LABC site inspection app
- What aspects of the work will be inspected?
- Contact us
Building Control Surveyors will make statutory and routine inspections during the construction stage of the building work to ensure compliance with the building regulations and other allied legislation and guidance.
What stages of the building works must Building Control inspect?
This will depend on the type of work being carried out but the two statutory inspections which apply to all projects are:
- Commencement - This is the first statutory notification. We normally visit when the work starts. However, in certain circumstances we may agree not to inspect the site until a further notice is received - but it is essential that you notify us of commencement to agree this.
- Completion:
- You should request an inspection when the building work is fully complete (or for new buildings, before occupation).
- Provided we have seen all the relevant stages of work, and they comply with the Building Regulations, the relevant certificates have been provided and the relevant fees paid, a Completion Certificate will be issued.
As well as these inspections, further inspections may also be necessary (see below for domestic projects), as some jobs will require specific inspections such as fire protection and the reinforcement of concrete structures. In addition, a Building Surveyor may call unexpectedly at other times to check on the work as it progresses.
How do I book an inspection?
In the majority of cases, we offer a same day site inspection service if we receive your telephone call before 9.30am. Inspections will normally be carried out between 11am to 3pm. Most of our inspections can be arranged for either morning (11am to 1pm) or afternoon (1pm to 3pm). Inspections outside of these time frames need to be arranged directly with the surveyor.
Please contact us for more information or to arrange an inspection - this can be by the following methods:
- Email: building.control@haringey.gov.uk
- Tel: 020 8489 5504 - 9am to 5pm
Please note - if you email us or leave a message on our answerphone outside of these hours, please remember to tell us the address where the inspection is needed, what needs inspecting, the date the inspection is required, your name and contact number. Without this information we are unable to visit.
LABC site inspection app
Inspections can also be booked using the new Local Authority Building Control (LABC) site inspection app that enables you to book a site inspection at any time using your digital device.
It's free to download and easy to use.
- Find out more on the LABC website (external link).
What other aspects of the work will be inspected?
It is necessary for the applicant or builder to notify Building Control in advance of the inspection(s) needed. This allows the surveyor to check for compliance with the Building Regulations and so issue a Completion Certificate upon satisfactory completion. This is a valuable document which helps a sale when the property is sold.
General note: the inspecting surveyor will advise when additional inspections are required. Inspections are carried out to ensure compliance with the minimum standards of the Building Regulations. Client specifications on other issues are not commented upon provided the minimum standards of the Building Regulations are met. Inspections will also be used to check suitable materials are used.
For items not listed below, eg commercial projects - please ask the building control surveyor upon commencement of works for a list of necessary inspections. For multiple work types on the same job, different inspections can often be done at the same time.
Installers Certificates and test results - where appropriate - will need to be checked before a completion certificate can be issued (eg Boilers, Electrical, Waterproofing etc).
If necessary, use of other professional expertise and testing procedures may be required.
- Key Notification stages for inspection for following domestic job types
- Notifications for Extensions to House, Shops or Office
- Notifications for Loft conversions to House/Flat
- Notifications for Extension and Loft conversion to house/flat
- Notifications for Flat conversions or addition or subtraction of number of flats in a block
- Notifications for Underpinning works
- Notifications for Load bearing wall Removal
- Notifications for Chimney Breast removal
- Notifications for Garage Conversion to habitable room
- Notifications for Re-Roof of house or block of flats
- Notifications for New Bathroom/Cloakroom
- Notifications for Erection or extension of single storey garage or carport
- Notifications for Erection of New House, Flat or Maisonette
- Notifications for Alterations to extend or create a basement
- Notifications for Replacement Window(s) - not replacement glazing
- Notifications for Domestic Electrical Wiring (where not done by Part P registered Electrician)
Key Notification stages for inspection following domestic job types
The exact number of inspections required to ensure that a project complies with the Building Regulations will be determined by the Building Control surveyor. The list below is a minimum requirement - and some inspections may need to be duplicated.
Satisfactory compliance on site will enable us to promptly issue a completion certificate. Please notify us at the following stages unless the surveyor agrees that this is not needed. Inspections need to take place while items are still completely visible.
Notifications for Extensions to House, Shops or Office
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of new excavation for foundations
- Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite - can be combined with stage 4
- Stage 4 - Inspection of new walls, damp proof course and below ground drain pipes for falls and line
- Stage 5 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane and insulation for new ground floor
- Stage 6 - Inspection of wall / roof Insulation and roof and floor structure
- Stage 7 - Drain tests of new drains - witnesses of drain tests after backfill
- Stage 8 - Completion of work
Notifications for Loft conversions to House/Flat
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of steel beams in loft area.
- Stage 3 - Inspection of floor, wall and roof timbers and insulation - can be combined with stage 2, if feasible
- Stage 4 - Inspection of Drainage connections (if any) - can be combined with stage 5
- Stage 5 - Inspection at Completion - items usually inspected include fire doors, closers, smoke detectors and fire alarms, fire resistance measures, stairs, handrails, room ventilation, headroom, means of escape/layout and receipt of installer certificates as applicable
Notifications for Extension and Loft conversion to house/flat
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of new excavation for foundations
- Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite - can be combined with Stage 4
- Stage 4 - Inspection of new walls, damp proof course and below ground drain pipes for falls and line
- Stage 5 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane and insulation for new ground floor
- Stage 6 - Inspection of wall/roof insulation and floor structure
- Stage 6a - Inspection of steel beams in loft area
- Stage 6b - Inspection of floor, wall and roof timbers and insulation
- Stage 7 - Inspection of Drainage connections (if any)
- Stage 7a - Drain tests of new drains - witnesses of drain tests after backfill
- Stage 8 - Completion of works - items usually inspected include fire doors, closers, smoke detectors and fire alarms, fire resistance measures, stairs, handrails, room ventilation, headroom, means of escape/layout and receipt of installer certificates where applicable.
Notifications for Flat conversions or addition or subtraction of number of flats in a block
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of sound insulation
- Stage 3 - Inspection of drainage and ventilation to bathrooms and kitchens
- Stage 4 - Inspection of thermal insulation to lofts, etc. and any upgraded windows
- Stage 5 - Completion - can be combined with stage 4 if all okay. Items usually inspected include automatic smoke detector and alarm, fire doors, means of escape and emergency lighting units (if any) and receipt of installer certificates/Sound Test/SAP/EPC etc where applicable
Notifications for Underpinning works
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of new foundations to sequence
- Stage 3 - Inspection of completed dry packing and next foundations
- Stage 4 - Inspection of completed dry packing last foundations
- Stage 5 - Completion
Number of inspections to be agreed with surveyor at commencement.
Notifications for Load bearing wall Removal
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of structural works
- Stage 3 - Fire Proofing
- Stage 4 - Completion - may be combined with stage 3 if all okay
Notifications for Chimney Breast removal
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Check means of support as installed and fixings
- Stage 3 - Check making good /fireproofing
- Stage 4 - Completion - may be combined with stage 3 if all okay
Notifications for Garage Conversion to habitable room
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspect excavation for infill wall / window to replace garage door
- Stage 3 - Check DPC in Wall and DPM to Floor
- Stage 4 - Check new floor construction including Insulation and new drains (if needed)
- Stage 5 - Check New Insulation to Walls and roof with any associated roof void ventilation
- Stage 6 - Check adequacy of ventilation to room and adequacy of means of escape in the event of fire
- Stage 7 - Completion - may be combined with stage 6 if all okay
Notifications for Re-Roof of house or block of flats
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspect roof timbers after removal of original covering
- Stage 3 - Check insulation upgraded, felt underlay provided, finish of tiles / slates, provision of flashings
- Stage 4 - Completion - may be combined with stage 3 if all okay
Notifications for New Bathroom/Cloakroom
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspect new traps and drain pipes, connection to existing system
- Stage 3 - Check ventilation to room and witness mechanical fan test (where needed)
- Stage 4 - Completion and any final drain test check - may be combined with stage 3 if all okay
Notifications for Erection or extension of single storey garage or carport
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspect excavation for foundations
- Stage 3 - Check DPC in Wall and Fire safety provisions (if any)
- Stage 4 - Check (if any) new drains
- Stage 5 - Check roof timbers/steels/lintels
- Stage 6 - Completion - may be combined with stage 5 if all okay
Notifications for Erection of New House, Flat or Maisonette
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of new foundations and drain pipes
- Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite - may be combined with stage 4
- Stage 4 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane for new floor and any tanking where needed
- Stage 5 - Inspection of new walls dpc and below ground drain pipes
- Stage 6 - Inspection of upper floor steels and timber floor joists
- Stage 7 - Inspection of roof timbers, new beams and lintels and roof void ventilation
- Stage 8 - Inspection of Drainage connections above ground including witness of drain tests
- Stage 9 - Completion - can be combined with stage 8 if all okay. Items usually inspected include automatic smoke detector and alarm, fire doors, and emergency lighting units (if any) and receipt of installer certificates / Sound Test / SAP/ EPC etc where applicable
Notifications for Alterations to extend or create a basement
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of new underpins foundations to sequence
- Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite - may be combined with stage 4
- Stage 4 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane for new floor
- Stage 5 - Inspection of (any) new walls dpc and foul and surface affected drains
- Stage 6 - Inspection of structural works
- Stage 7 - Inspect Drainage connections (if any) above ground including witness of drain tests
- Stage 8 - Completion - combined with stage 8 if all okay. Items usually inspected include fire safety measures including means of escape provisions in the event of fire, ventilation, installer certificates e.g. Electrical, Gas, waterproofing where applicable
Number of inspections will depend on complexity of the basement and should be discussed with the surveyor.
Notifications for Replacement Window(s) - not replacement glazing
- Stage 1 - Commencement - may be combined with stage 2
- Stage 2 - Inspection of Window
- Stage 3 - Completion - may be combined with stage 2 if all okay
Notifications for Domestic Electrical Wiring (where not done by Part P registered Electrician)
New electrical circuits, consumer unit or work in a special location (eg near bath/shower).
- Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2).
- Stage 2 - Pre plaster first fix wiring
- Stage 3 - Completion
Contact us
If you would like to request a site inspection, or would like further information about inspections please contact us:
Address
Building Control
Planning, Building Standards and Sustainabilty
Level 5, Alexandra House
10 Station Road
Wood Green, London
N22 7TR
Tel 020 8489 5504