We thank you for custom and will be acting on your behalf ensuring the proposed works complies with building regulations. These regulations ensure the work is carried out with proper foundations, drains, thermal insulation and other matters regarding your building works affecting health and safety. The Local Authority Building Control Department have no involvement in these procedures and we have informed them of this fact. You must be aware that we are here to ensure compliance with the regulations. Quality control of the work is a matter between yourself and the contractor carrying out the works. The site inspector will not comment on the quality of the work, for example finishes or design.

We have carried out building control work on hundreds of properties similar to yours and our experience has highlighted some of the initial issues involved.

Please ensure that the builder lets us know when work is to commence on site to enable inspections of the work to be made by our building inspectors. You must also let us know when works are completed.

When you intend to alter your dwelling by way of extensions, dormers or simple internal alterations, or build a new dwelling; several fees may need to be paid:-

The Architects fees – these are paid directly to the person who draws the plans for the alterations. They may include site supervision as well as drawing up the plans and specifications within their service.

Planning fees – Planning is part of the Local Authority system and decides if the alterations are in keeping with local area plans. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with these procedures, and further advice can be obtained either from us or the Architect. These fees are paid directly to the Council in your area.

Building control fees – These are paid to ourselves in 2 stages –

1. The Plan fee; this pays for the checking of the Architects plans to ensure they do not show any contraventions of building regulations and will be invoiced once the building control procedure is commenced.

2. The Inspection fee; This pays for the inspections of the works to ensure that the works on site complies with building regulations; and, will be invoiced when works starts on site and is a once only payment no matter how many inspections are carried out by us.

Party Wall Act fees - Your alterations may affect your neighbour’s property and this Act ensures that the neighbours involved come together and work towards common agreement. Separate fees will have to be paid to a ‘Party Wall Surveyor’ should this work need to be carried out.

New regulations - From time to time new regulations come into force. For example: Part P Electrical safety. Before we can issue a Completion Certificate under the building regulations after works are finished; we must receive an ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE from a suitably qualified electrician. Please talk to your Architect and / or electrical contractor for more information.

Energy Performance Certificates: Please refer to: www.direct.gov.uk and www.communities.gov.uk (search – energy performance certificates), for information on EPC’s

Sewers. You are advised not to commence work until Total Building Control Ltd has confirmed the location of any public sewers in relation to your new build. There are strict rules in relation to building over/next to public sewers, which may require special agreements from the sewerage undertaker.

Completion of work – When work has been completed to our satisfaction in accordance with building regulations you will receive a Building Regulations Completion Certificate. This Certificate needs to be retained with the deeds of the house and any house inspection buyers report as it will be required when you sell the house.

Complaints procedure – We are sure the service we provide will be satisfactory, but should you have any worries, please ask to see our complaints procedure which outlines how we will deal with your concerns.