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Site Inspections
The Building Regulations prescribe that anyone carrying out building work must inform the Council at certain key stages of construction so that the work can be checked for compliance and suitability. Our team of Chartered Surveyors provide a daily on-request service to ensure that inspections are made in a convenient way that meets your construction schedule with minimal disruption to the work programme.
When can I start?
You may start work once you have received confirmation from Building Control that you have submitted a valid Building Notice or Full Plans application. By law, you must notify us of your intention to start work at least 48 hours prior to work commencing on site.
What stages do I require an inspection?
The table below details the stages at which a site inspection is required. Site inspections highlighted in bold are statutory i.e. they must be carried out by law. The remaining inspections listed are not mandatory though we would strongly recommend that a site inspection is arranged for us to inspect each stage of work. The Building Control Surveyor may also request that a non-mandatory inspection, such as roof structure, is carried out depending on the complexity of your project.
| Stage of Works | Notice Required |
| Commencement | Not less than 2 working days |
| Foundations (prior to concreting) | Not less than 1 working day |
| Ground floor preparation (slab base, damp-proofing and insulation) | |
| First floor structure | |
| Roof framing | |
| Structural beams and framing (prior to covering up) | |
| Surface water drainage prior to backfilling | |
| Haunching or laying of a drain (prior to covering up) | Not less than 1 working day |
| Completion | Not less than 5 working days prior to occupation |
Note: The above notification periods do not include Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays, Christmas, Good Friday or any other public holiday)
If any problems or changes to your project are highlighted on site, we will contact you to discuss these matters.
How do I request a site inspection?
Either yourself or your builder can request a site inspection. You can contact us via:
| Telephone: | 01462 476 370 |
| Fax: | 01462 476 380 |
| Email: | building.control@north-herts.gov.uk |
| Letter: | North Herts District Council, Building Control, Council Offices, Gernon Road, Letchworth, Herts, SG6 3JF |
| Online form: | Please see Request a Site Inspection Form |
For any inspection request which is received at our office prior to 10:00am Monday - Friday, we aim to guarantee a 'same-day' inspection.
What do I do upon completion of my project on site?
When your project is finished on site, you need to contact Building Control to arrange a final inspection. We would recommend that any final payments to your builder/contractor is done only after receiving a satisfactory final inspection from us in the event that further work may be required.
Once a satisfactory final inspection has been carried out for the work on site and all necessary information has been provided to us e.g. electrical installation certificates etc. we will issue you with a Completion Certificate confirming that all work carried out is in compliance with the Building Regulations 2000.
