Book a site inspection
Inspections will now be categorised as either critical or non-critical:
- Critical inspections will require an on-site inspection.
- Non-critical inspections will be risk assessed remotely, based on the individual submission of appropriate digital data.
All digital submissions must be provided at least 72 hours in advance to allow for proper processing.
Due to the high demands on the service, these amendments have been introduced to ensure continued compliance with the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022, and to maintain the high standard of service we aim to provide to all our customers.
To ensure compliance with Building Regulations, we carry out both statutory and routine inspections during the construction phase. Please refer to the ‘Site Inspections’ section below.
Contact us
Our online form to request a site inspection is currently unavailable.
To book a site inspection, contact our Customer Centre by calling 0300 126 7000 and selecting Option 10, during our working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Please note that we must receive your application and payment before an inspection can be booked by phone.
We are unable to provide specific time slots for site inspections and cannot guarantee a morning or afternoon visit. Therefore, we kindly ask that you do not call the above number to request an estimated time of arrival.
You should expect a call approximately 30 minutes or more prior to the inspector’s arrival on site.
Preparing for your site inspection request
Please ensure you have the following information ready before requesting an inspection:
- Your reference number and/or the site address
- The name and contact number of the person who will be on site
- Details of the work requiring inspection or the type of inspection needed
- The preferred date for the inspection
Having this information prepared will help us process your request efficiently.
While we make every effort to accommodate all inspection requests, during periods of high demand, it may not be possible to fulfil every request. In such cases, a surveyor will contact you directly to advise on the next steps.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Site inspections
A large part of the Building Control service is the inspection of your project as the work progresses. Your project will be inspected regularly and it is important we are called in to inspect the following ten stages.
Not all of these inspections will be relevant to every project but please ensure that your builder calls us out at the relevant stages. If inspections have been missed this can cause problems with the issuing of your completion certificate.
1. Commencement
When your builder starts on site please give us a call. This will give us a chance to get to know your builder, discuss how the project will proceed and agree the stages at which the property should be inspected.
2. Excavation of foundations
It is very important that we are called in at this stage as the foundations are fundamental to the success of the project. We will assess the ground and site conditions and ensure that the foundations are suitable for the building proposed.
3. Foundation concrete
If 'strip concrete' foundations are used we will check that the concrete has been properly placed and is of sufficient thickness. This visit is not necessary if 'trench fill concrete' or 'piled foundations' are used.
4. Damp-proof course
When the builder is ready to start building the walls we will inspect the work to ensure that a suitable damp proof course has been installed.
5. Casting of concrete oversite
When your builder is ready to concrete your floor slab we will visit to check that the ground has been properly prepared, that there is adequate floor insulation in place and that a suitable damp proof membrane has been provided.
6. Drainage
Before any new drains are covered up we should be called in so that we can ensure they have been correctly installed and connected up.
7. Drainage testing
On major projects we will ask to carry out an air test on the new drainage system to ensure there are no leaks.
8. Pre-plaster, floor structures, roof structures and beams
We will try to inspect suspended floor structures, roofs, structural beams, sanitary drainage and electrical work before they are covered up to ensure they are suitably sized and have been correctly installed.
9. Occupation
If you wish to occupy part of your project before it is complete we will inspect that area of the project to ensure that it complies with the Building Regulations and that it is safe for you to move in.
10. Completion
Our final inspection here we will inspect the work to ensure that it has been finished off in compliance with the Building Regulations. Once your project has been satisfactorily completed we will issue you with a completion certificate; you may need this if you wish to sell your house.
Last updated 31 July 2025