Key Notification stages for inspection for the following job types

Notifications for extensions to house, shops, or office

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of new excavation for foundations

Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite (can be combined with stage 4)

Stage 4 – Inspection of new walls dpc and below ground drain pipes for falls and line

Stage 5 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane and insulation for new ground floor

Stage 6 - Inspection of wall / roof Insulation and roof and floor structure

Stage 7 – Drain tests of new drains - witnesses of drain tests after backfill

Stage 8 - Completion of work (if OK & installer certificates received then completion certificate in 5 working days). (Note: If client intends to occupy shop or office extensions before completion, another inspection needed and if OK occupation certificate issued within 5 working days). 

Notifications for loft conversions to house/flat

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of steel beams in loft area

Stage 3 - Inspection of floor, wall and roof timbers and insulation (can be combined with stage 2)

Stage 4 – Inspection of drainage connections (if any) (can be combined with stage 5)

Stage 5 - Inspection at completion (fire doors, closers, smoke detectors and fire alarms and fire resistance measures, stairs, handrails, room ventilation, headroom and receipt installer certificates) 

Notifications for extension and loft conversion to house/flat

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of new excavation for foundations

Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite (can be combined with stage 4)

Stage 4 – Inspection of new walls dpc and below ground drain pipes for falls and line

Stage 5 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane and insulation for new ground floor

Stage 6 - Inspection of wall / roof Insulation and roof and floor structure

Stage 6a - Inspection of steel beams in loft area

Stage 6b -Inspection of floor, wall and roof timbers and insulation

Stage 7 – Inspection of Drainage connections (if any)

Stage 7a - Drain tests of new drains - witnesses of drain tests after backfill

Stage 8 - Completion of work (fire doors, closers, smoke detectors and fire alarms and fire resistance measures, stairs, handrails, room ventilation, headroom and receipt installer certificates received). 

Notifications for flat conversions or addition or subtraction of number of flats in a block

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of sound insulation minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 - Inspection of drainage and ventilation to bathrooms and kitchens

Stage 4 - Inspection of thermal insulation to lofts, etc. and any upgraded windows

Stage 5 - Completion minimum 1 day notice (can be combined with stage 4 if all OK) (automatic smoke detector and alarm, fire doors, and emergency lighting units (if any) and receipt of installer certificates / Sound Test / SAP/ EPC etc) 

Notifications for underpinning works

p>Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

 

Stage 2 - Inspection of new foundations to sequence. Minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 - Inspection of completed dry packing and next foundations

Stage 4 - Inspection of completed dry packing last foundations

Stage 5 – Completion (typical total of 3 inspections per 5.0m run) 

Notifications for load bearing wall removal

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of structural works

Stage 3 – Fire proofing

Stage 4 – Completion (may be combined with stage 3 if all OK) 

Notifications for chimney breast removal

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Check means of support as installed and (any) fixings

Stage 3 – Check making good /fireproofing

Stage 4 – Completion (may be combined with stage 3 if all OK)

Notifications for garage conversion to habitable room

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Inspect excavation for infill wall / window to replace garage door

Stage 3 – Check DPC in wall and DPM to floor

Stage 4 – Check new floor construction including Insulation and new drains (if needed)

Stage 5 – Check new insulation to walls and roof with any associated roof void ventilation 

Stage 6 – Check adequacy ventilation to room and adequacy of means of escape in the event of fire

Stage 7 – Completion (may be combined with stage 6 if all OK) 

Notifications for re-roof of house or block of flats

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Inspect roof timbers after removal of original covering. Minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 – Check insulation upgraded, felt underlay provided, finish of tiles / slates, provision of flashings

Stage 4 – Completion. Minimum 1 day notice (may be combined with stage 3 if all OK) 

Notifications for new bathroom/cloakroom

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Inspect new traps and drain pipes, connection to existing system

Stage 3 – Check ventilation to room and witness mechanical fan test (where needed)

Stage 4 – Completion & any final drain test check. Minimum 1 day notice (combined stage 3 if all OK) 

Notifications for erection or extension of single storey garage or carport

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Inspect excavation for foundations. Minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 – Check DPC in wall & fire safety provisions (if any)

Stage 4 – Check (if any) new drains

Stage 5 – Check roof timbers / steels / lintels

Stage 6 - Completion. Minimum 1 day notice (may be combined with stage 5 if all OK) 

Notifications for erection of new housing (houses, block of flats/maisonettes)

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of new foundations and drain pipes. Minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite (may be combined with stage 4)

Stage 4 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane for new floor and any tanking where needed

Stage 5 - Inspection of new walls dpc and below ground drain pipes

Stage 6 – Inspection of upper floor beams and floor structure

Stage 7 - Inspection of roof timbers, new beams and lintels and roof void ventilation

Stage 8 – Inspection of drainage connections above ground including witness of drain tests

Stage 9 - Completion. Minimum 1 day notice (can be combined with stage 8 if all OK) (automatic smoke detector and alarm, fire doors, and emergency lighting units (if any) and receipt of installer certificates / Sound Test / SAP/ EPC etc) 

Notifications for alterations to extend or create a basement

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 - Inspection of new underpins foundations to sequence. Minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 - Inspection of oversite (may combine with stage 4)

Stage 4 - Inspection of damp-proof membrane for new floor

Stage 5 - Inspection of (any) new walls dpc and foul and surface affected drains

Stage 6 - Inspection of structural works

Stage 7 – Inspect Drainage connections (if any) above ground including witness of drain tests

Stage 8 - Completion. Minimum 1 day notice (combined with stage 8 if all OK) (Fire safety measures including means of escape provisions in the event of fire, ventilation, installer certificates e.g. electrical, gas ) 

Notifications for replacement window(s) (not replacement glazing)

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Inspection of Window. Minimum 1 day notice

Stage 3 – Completion. Minimum 1 day notice (may be combined with stage 2 if all OK)

Notifications for domestic electrical wiring (where not done by Part P registered electrician) (new electrical circuits, consumer unit or work in a special location (e.g. near bath / shower))

Stage 1 - Commencement (may be combined with stage 2). Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 2 – Pre plaster first fix of wiring. Minimum 2 days notice

Stage 3 – Completion. Minimum 2 day notice 

General Notes

The inspecting surveyor will advise when additional inspections are required. Inspections are carried out to ensure compliance with the minimum standards of the Building Regulations. Client specifications on other issues are not commented upon provided the minimum standards of the Building Regulations are met. 

For items not listed above please ask the building control surveyor upon commencement of works for a list of needed inspections. For multiple work types in same job different inspections can be done at same time. 

Installers certificates and test results, where appropriate, will need to be checked before a completion certificate can be issued (e.g. boilers, electrical, etc). 

Completion certificates and occupation certificates are useful documents and can aid you to achieve a speedier process when you come to sell your property.