What does a Building Control surveyor do?

We all live, work, and relax in a variety of buildings – from houses and hotels to schools and offices. Since we use them every day, we often take it for granted that these buildings are all accessible, safe, and fit for purpose – but they wouldn’t be without Building Control.

Ensuring that every building complies with health and safety legislation, Building Control plays a crucial part in regulating the builders, developers, architects, engineers, and contractors who work on designing and constructing buildings so that everything is standardised.

So, what is Building Control, and what do Building Control officers actually do? This blog from Architects Certificate explains why Building Control is important, and how you can find a Building Control inspector if you need one for your own project.

What does Building Control cover?

Every local authority will have its own Building Control office, which manages applications for building work in the area. Anyone carrying out a construction project – including structural alterations and property conversions – will need approval from Building Control, followed by a series of site inspections before they can sign off on a completion certificate.

All building work must be independently assessed by a qualified surveyor to verify that it complies with Building Regulations, which are currently set out in 18 parts that cover:

Structure: Approved Document A
Fire safety: Approved Document B
Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture: Approved Document C
Toxic substances: ApprovedDocumentD
Resistance to sound: ApprovedDocumentE
Ventilation: ApprovedDocumentF
Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency: ApprovedDocumentG
Drainage and waste disposal: ApprovedDocumentH
Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems: ApprovedDocumentJ
Protection from falling, collision and impact: ApprovedDocumentK
Conservation of fuel and power: ApprovedDocumentL
Access to and use of buildings: ApprovedDocumentM
Overheating: ApprovedDocumentO
Electrical safety: ApprovedDocumentP
Security in dwellings: ApprovedDocumentQ
Infrastructure for electronic communications: ApprovedDocumentR
Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles: Approved Document S
Material and workmanship: Approved Document 7

It’s the job of Building Control to make sure that any construction or renovation work follows all of the relevant regulations, according to the type of work. By doing so, Building Control officers protect everyone against dangerous building practices and unsafe structures.

What do Building Control inspectors do?

Building Control officers, surveyors, or inspectors oversee the construction of new buildings and the alteration or extension of existing buildings to confirm that they meet regulatory standards.

Once initial approval for the building work to go ahead is granted by the Building Control office, you must schedule inspections by a qualified professional for key stages of the planned works.

The developer or property owner is responsible for hiring an approved inspector – in England, this can be someone from your local Building Control department or an independent inspector from the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR).

Every project will be different, with varying levels of complexity, but the day-to-day role of a Building Control inspector typically involves responsibilities such as:

• Advising owners, contractors, etc on applicable Building Regulations
• Assessing plans for new buildings, extensions, or alterations
• Liaising with local authorities on planning permissions
• Issuing approval to start work and completion certificates once finished
• Maintaining detailed records of building project progression
• Issuing penalties or stopping work that fails to meet requirements

During onsite inspections, a Building Control surveyor will check elements such as the foundations, damp-proofing, drainage and sanitation, heating and ventilation, floor and roof stability, fire safety, and more. These can be inspected individually at different stages, but there will be a comprehensive final inspection after the work is completed that takes everything into account.

How to find an approved Building Control Inspector

If you need a Building Control surveyor to monitor your building project and sign off on the work at the end, you can either contact your local office through the Planning Portal or seek out an independent Building Control service provider, such as Architects Certificate.

We are registered with the Construction Industry Council (CIC)and qualified to provide Building Control services, alongside our Structural Warranty services. We offer a streamlined yet in-depth service carried out by accredited professionals, helping you to obtain your completion certificate for finalised building work that complies with every appropriate standard.

To enquire about our Building Control inspections, get in touch with our team by calling 0161 928 8804 or emailing your questions to info@architectscertificate.co.uk to find out more about how Architects Certificate can help your project to meet Building Regulations.