Frequently Asked Questions
BUILDING CONTROL
Building Control ensures that building work is carried out to a high standard in the interest of health, safety and welfare of the occupants, users and the public at large, through the proper application of Building Regulations.
PLAN CHECK
The Plan Check will involve comparing the drawings and specification of your scheme against the requirements of the Building Regulations together with other aspects of the Warranty provision, including Good Building Practice and other relevant legislation
TECHNICAL AUDITS
On-site Technical Audits are an important part of our Client’s Warranty provision. They ensure that the build of your project is in accordance with the Building Regulations, Good Building Practice and other relevant legislation therefore meeting the requirements needed for the Build-Zone Warranty.
COMPLETED HOUSING SURVEY
House is completed may or may not have been signed off by Building Control but this is a one off visit for a comprehensive report at the end of the project.
STAGE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
The survey and certification confirms the stage of the build you have completed if you have taken out a loan or mortgage and need to have funds released, this also confirms the stage for the Warranty provision.
ECP/SAP
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Standard Assessment Procedure is required under Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations before the Building Regulation Final Certificate can be issued.
REGULARISATION APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION
Sometimes work is undertaken and completed without the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) or an Approved Inspector being notified that works are being carried out or being able to review the works as it progresses.
This UNAUTHORISED WORK can be regularised, brought under control and regulated retrospectively thus giving formal approval and brought back under the control of the LABC. Approved Inspectors are not able to undertake Regularisation work and can only be made direct to the LABC.
A Regularisation Application does not have to be submitted, accepted and neither do the LABC have to issue a certificate. The Regularisation Certificate relates only to completed work carried out after 11th November 1985.
To assess compliance with the Building Regulations the LABC may ask for parts of the building to be opened up in order to review elements of the structure and additional works may be required under the Building Regulations.
Before a Certificate can be issued the Authority must be satisfied that the works comply with the Building Regulations or Building Standards and Health and Safety is not compromised.
Regularisation Certificates are expensive and the fees involved can be up to 150% more than the fee required if the application was made before the commencement of the build. There could of course be additional building works required as a result of the application but in some circumstances it is possible to insure against such requirements and fees. These are often referred to as Building Indemnity Guarantees.
APPROVED INSPECTOR
Approved Inspectors are qualified and experienced private sector Building Control Professionals - individuals and corporate. They can provide a cost-effective alternative to the LABC in the provision of Building Regulation compliance.
The majority of Approved Inspectors are also able to provide other specialist services which a LABC may not be able to and in so doing providing a ‘One Stop Shop’ for all your building survey services.
Approved Inspectors are not only bound by the Code of Conduct of their own professional body (such as RICS, ABE or CIOB) but also that of their regulatory body, the Construction Industry Council (CIC).
Approved Inspectors and BZSS are unable to provide a Building Control service in Scotland at this time due to current Scottish Legislation.
BZSS PARTNERED APPROVED INSPECTOR
We have created and maintain what is an established network of Approved Inspectors (AI’s) who are able to provide the Building Regulation function for a huge variety of projects nationwide.
The AI’s used are highly qualified and experienced in their individual fields. They are also all registered as AI's under the Construction Industry Council.
All the AI’s we use are regularly audited in order to maintain a high level of service.
Key Definitions
BUILDING CONTROL
Building Control ensures that building work is carried out to a high standard in the interest of health, safety and welfare of the occupants, users and the public at large, through the proper application of Building Regulations.
PLAN CHECK
The Plan Check will involve comparing the drawings and specification of your scheme against the requirements of the Building Regulations together with other aspects of the Warranty provision, including Good Building Practice and other relevant legislation
TECHNICAL AUDITS
On-site Technical Audits are an important part of our Client’s Warranty provision. They ensure that the build of your project is in accordance with the Building Regulations, Good Building Practice and other relevant legislation therefore meeting the requirements needed for the Build-Zone Warranty.
COMPLETED HOUSING SURVEY
House is completed may or may not have been signed off by Building Control but this is a one off visit for a comprehensive report at the end of the project.
STAGE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE
The survey and certification confirms the stage of the build you have completed if you have taken out a loan or mortgage and need to have funds released, this also confirms the stage for the Warranty provision.
ECP/SAP
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Standard Assessment Procedure is required under Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations before the Building Regulation Final Certificate can be issued.
REGULARISATION APPLICATION AND CERTIFICATION
Sometimes work is undertaken and completed without the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) or an Approved Inspector being notified that works are being carried out or being able to review the works as it progresses.
This UNAUTHORISED WORK can be regularised, brought under control and regulated retrospectively thus giving formal approval and brought back under the control of the LABC. Approved Inspectors are not able to undertake Regularisation work and can only be made direct to the LABC.
A Regularisation Application does not have to be submitted, accepted and neither do the LABC have to issue a certificate. The Regularisation Certificate relates only to completed work carried out after 11th November 1985.
To assess compliance with the Building Regulations the LABC may ask for parts of the building to be opened up in order to review elements of the structure and additional works may be required under the Building Regulations.
Before a Certificate can be issued the Authority must be satisfied that the works comply with the Building Regulations or Building Standards and Health and Safety is not compromised.
Regularisation Certificates are expensive and the fees involved can be up to 150% more than the fee required if the application was made before the commencement of the build. There could of course be additional building works required as a result of the application but in some circumstances it is possible to insure against such requirements and fees. These are often referred to as Building Indemnity Guarantees.
APPROVED INSPECTOR
Approved Inspectors are qualified and experienced private sector Building Control Professionals - individuals and corporate. They can provide a cost-effective alternative to the LABC in the provision of Building Regulation compliance.
The majority of Approved Inspectors are also able to provide other specialist services which a LABC may not be able to and in so doing providing a ‘One Stop Shop’ for all your building survey services.
Approved Inspectors are not only bound by the Code of Conduct of their own professional body (such as RICS, ABE or CIOB) but also that of their regulatory body, the Construction Industry Council (CIC).
Approved Inspectors and BZSS are unable to provide a Building Control service in Scotland at this time due to current Scottish Legislation.
BZSS PARTNERED APPROVED INSPECTOR
We have created and maintain what is an established network of Approved Inspectors (AI’s) who are able to provide the Building Regulation function for a huge variety of projects nationwide.
The AI’s used are highly qualified and experienced in their individual fields. They are also all registered as AI's under the Construction Industry Council.
All the AI’s we use are regularly audited in order to maintain a high level of service.