What To Expect

Where the 'Full Plans' application process is followed, if you commence works prior to gaining approval, any works carried out will continue at your own risk until approval is granted. Any works found to be incorrect on the plan examination that are carried out on site prior to approval would need to be corrected.

A Building Control Surveyor will visit on commencement of the works to discuss the further inspections that should be made. It is your responsibility to ensure we are notified of each relevant stage of the work to enable an inspection to be carried out.  Alternatively photographs may be requested by the surveyor. 

All projects will be assessed in terms of the critical elements that need to be inspected and an inspection framework will be developed. The following inspections are normally made for most domestic extensions.

Commencement - This first inspection allows you or your appointed agent/builder to meet and discuss the proposals with your Surveyor if you wish to do so. This is particularly important for Building Notice applications where no plans have been submitted for approval.  Any fees paid can be assessed and confirmed at this stage.

Excavations for Foundations - Allows ground conditions to be checked to ensure that the foundations are sufficient to carry the load of your proposals. This inspection must take place before the foundation concrete is poured.

Oversite - An inspection will be made before floor areas are concreted or covered to ensure materials and insulation over the site are suitable.

Damp-Proof Courses and Membranes - Wall damp-proof courses, floor damp proof membranes, radon barriers etc. will be inspected prior to covering with brickwork or concrete.

Drainage - All new drainage is inspected for alignment prior to covering over, and to ensure adequate falls and access for cleaning is provided.

Pre-plaster - Allows for the inspection of hidden work such as structural steelwork, insulation, and first fix plumbing and electrical work prior to plaster-boarding.

Roof structure – This allows the surveyor to inspect the roof structure before it is loaded and is also an opportunity to inspect the cavities, if appropriate, for adequate insulation and to ensure that adequate ties are in place and that the cavities are free from mortar.

Occupation - If you intend to occupy the building prior to completion of the full works, we need to carry out an inspection before occupation.

Completion - Notification is required when the works are completed to allow this inspection to be carried out. If everything is found to be satisfactory, a Completion Certificate will be issued. Ideally, this inspection is carried out before the builder leaves the site.

Please be aware that the inspections we carry out are to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations, particularly Health and Safety matters. This should not be confused with a full supervision service, which would normally be carried out by your own Architect, Surveyor or Clerk of Works.

Radon doesn't smell!

Radon within the Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon Areas.

The UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA, launched a new radon map on 01/12/22 which indicates that larger areas of the above districts are now affected by Radon Gas.

As of the 1 February 2023 The Devon Building Control Partnership will, by default, require all relevant buildings to be designed and constructed with protection measures incorporated.

The guidance contained within BRE Report BR211 Radon: Guidance on Protective measures for new buildings applies to all new housing and extensions to dwellings except where an exemption is provided in Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations.  

Alternatively, all applicants are encouraged to gain a specific address search, either through UK Radon at the cost of approximately £3.90

https://www.ukradon.org/services/address_search

or from British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, BNG12 5GG. Telephone 0115 936 3143, or email: enquiry@bgs.ac.uk

Commercial projects and new housing

For commercial projects and new housing developments, the above inspections (where appropriate) will be carried out. Also additional inspections such as fire stopping checks and general construction inspections, depending on size and scale of the project, may also be required.  In all cases, you should arrange for a completion inspection to be carried out before the end of the project.

Completion Certificates

Providing that each stage of inspection has been notified to the Council, and the Building Control Surveyor is satisfied that the work complies with the Building Regulations, a Completion Certificate will be issued. This certificate will be required for the sale of your property. It is advisable to obtain a completion certificate before finalising your contract with your builder.