Private Sector Building Control - Approved Inspectors

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• Private Sector Building Control - Approved Inspectors

Approved Inspectors are companies or individuals authorised under the Building Act 1984 to carry out building control work in England and Wales as an alternative to Local Authority Building Control. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has been designated by government as the body for approving private sector inspectors.

Anyone intending to undertake building work can choose an Approved Inspector as an alternative to the relevant Local Authority Building Control Surveying service to certify that their work conforms to Building Regulations.

If an Approved Inspector is appointed, then together with the person undertaking the work, an ‘Initial Notice’ is served on the relevant Local Authority Building Control office at least 5 working days before work starts. The Local Authority undertakes certain specified registration and insurance checks and then accepts or rejects the Initial Notice.

Once the Initial Notice is accepted by the Local Authority, the Approved Inspector undertakes the Building Control function in the manner he, she or it (in the case of a Corporate Body) deems appropriate until such time as a ‘Final Certificate’ is issued. If matters of dispute arise between the Approved Inspector and builder the project reverts to the Local Authority Building Control service for resolution. If this should occur then a 'reversion charge' is payable to the Local Authority which is equivalent to the relevant Building Notice charge. If necessary, formal enforcement to correct defective uncertified work will be undertaken by the Local Authority. However, if the work is certified as compliant by an Approved Inspector, the Local Authority can have no involvement with the project and will have no access to either records of inspections or plans.

A list of approved inspectors canbe viewed at the Association of Corporate Approved Inspectors (ACAI) website or the Construction Industry Council (CIC) website (see below).