Building control systems exist to ensure buildings are properly designed and constructed, safeguarding the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of everyone. Please check you have submitted a valid building control application before commencing work on site. If you are not sure, please contact us.

Notifications

For all types of work, you must provide us with official notifications.

Notice 1: Notice of Starting Work: To begin your project, you must submit a Notice of Starting Work at least 2 working days before work begins on site. This is an essential part of the process under Regulation 16(3) of the Building Regulations 2010. Note: this does not replace the formal Notice of Commencement (see Notice 2 below) – you must still submit a separate Notice of Commencement to confirm the legal commencement date, and both notices are required to keep your application valid and compliant.

Notice 2: Notice of Commencement: The Notice of Commencement is a statutory requirement under Regulation 16(3) of the Building Regulations 2010 and must be submitted within five days of work starting; it formally confirms the actual commencement date, triggers statutory timeframes, and ensures the project is legally recognised as commenced, with failure to submit affecting enforcement, deadlines, and approval validity. “Commencement,” as defined in Regulation 46A, occurs when: new builds/extensions have completed their foundations and ground‑floor structure; complex buildings have completed their foundations and lowest‑floor structure; or other works such as garage conversions, internal structural alterations, reconfigurations, and fit‑outs have reached at least 15% of the total work.

You can do this by completing an online form (signup not required) or by email.

Site inspections

Registered Building Inspector carry out site inspections Monday to Friday, between 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM (excluding public holidays). Please submit your request by 4:00 PM at least one working day in advance during our business hours. Late requests may not be accepted.

For all Reversion and Regularisation applications, please contact your allocated Registered Building Inspector or email us. 

You can book your site inspection:

• Online (signup not required)
• LABC Site Inspection app – Download and installation required

Inspection stages

Before proceeding to inspection request, you should have provided Notice 1: Notice of Starting Work and Notice 2: Notice of Commencement (see Notification section above).

For all controllable building work under the Building Regulations, you must inform us when you reach the inspection stages listed below. Some visits may combine more than one stage, as long as the relevant work is not covered and can still be inspected before it is covered up.

Foundation and groundworks

• Excavations – before any concrete is poured into the foundations
• Foul water drainage – after the drainage is laid and before any backfilling
• Surface water drainage – after the drainage is laid and before any backfilling (including soakaways)
• Drain test – please confirm the requirement with your surveyor
• Damp-proof course (DPC) – often inspected alongside the oversite
• Oversite – after the damp‑proof membrane and insulation have been laid, but before oversite concrete is poured

Structural elements

• Structural steelwork and other structural members – after installation and before they are covered. Structural engineer’s details and calculations must be submitted to and approved by Building Control before work starts on site.
• Floor joists – before covering
• Roof structure – while all structural roof members and connections are still exposed
• Stairs – when the staircase and associated structural trimming are installed

Electrical Work

Not required if registered under an appropriate Competent Persons Scheme

• First‑fix electrical installation – once all first‑fix cables and components are in place
• Electrical test – after commissioning the installation

Internal works

• Pre‑plaster inspection – before any walls, ceilings, or structural elements are boarded or plastered
• Thermal insulation – once insulation to walls, floors, and roof spaces is installed and still visible
• Fire safety measures – including (but not limited to) fire stopping, smoke detection and alarms, emergency lighting, fire collars, dampers, and cavity barriers
• Internal drainage – once fitted and before boxing‑in or covering

Final stages

• Occupation inspection – if the building will be occupied before all works are fully complete
• Completion inspection – once all building works are finished

Defects inspections – any remedial works required after an inspection must also be made available for re‑inspection.

Depending on the type of project, additional inspections may be required—for example, for specialist flooring systems, roofing work, or complex steel installations. Your Registered Building Inspector will advise you of any extra inspection requirements at the start of the project.

We aim to keep your project moving smoothly and to minimise delays. However, if we are required to make repeated visits because work is not ready for inspection, has been covered without prior notification, or does not meet the required standards, additional inspection fees may apply. Your surveyor will always inform you in advance if any extra charges are necessary.

Completion inspection

For all types of work, you must email us your Completion Notice Form before final inspection booking) within five days of completing your work (or before occupation) for a final inspection. Following a satisfactory inspection, a Completion Certificate will be issued.

Completion Certificates are valuable documentary evidence showing that the work satisfied Building Regulations at the time of inspection. A Completion Certificate may be required when selling a property or raising finance, so keep it safe.