The building regulations require that notice is given to the council at certain stages of the work to enable an inspection to be carried out by the building control officer before work progresses. These notices may be by letter or telephone.

Notices are required:

• when you start work
• before concreting foundation excavation
• before concreting preparation for a ground floor slab
• before backfilling drainage works for testing of drains after backfilling
• before occupation if the building is to be occupied
• within five days after completion of work    

We will normally arrange for inspections to be carried out the same day providing you contact us before 10.00am.

We also recommend that we are given additional notice at the following stages to give you the reassurance that the works are being carried out in full compliance with the regulations.

Additional notice:

• before backfilling foundation brickwork
• before covering and damp proof course
• testing of drains after backfilling
• before the covering up of any structural timbers
• before the covering up of any structural steelwork
• before the concreting of any steel reinforcement
• before covering up any works of fire separation or firestopping
• before any unusual designs or methods of construction are covered.

On satisfactory completion of works we always issue a completion certificate. The possession of such certificate can prove useful in demonstrating compliance with some of the requirements of the Workplace (Health Safety & Welfare) Regulations.

On satisfactory completion of all fire safety matters in relation to buildings to which the Fire Precautions Act, or the Health & Safety at Work (Fire Precautions) regulations apply, we will issue a Fire Safety Completion Certificate. This can prove useful in the preparation of the fire risk assessment you are required to make.

Your completion certificate will also assist in demonstrating that the premises are suitable for use by disabled persons and that you meet your obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act

A householder may require the approval notice and completion certificate for a future purchaser of the property or for the purpose of a re-mortgage or secured loan.