Here at Act Building Control our Chartered Building Surveyors are not only qualified but are also very experienced.
We specialise in: Approved Inspector Services | Building Control Advice | Warranty Inspections
We work rather differently to your normal surveying company and spend a lot of time listening to our clients. We feel this helps both parties to fully understand procedures and as a result, we have a very high referral rate.
“We are pleased to announce that we have been appointed as Approved Inspectors on the multi-million pound refurbishment of a mews house in Belgravia, London. Working with Project Architects Scott Brownrigg and Project Manager Box Associates the works include a three basement level addition.”
3 Down Street Mews, London W1
Frequently Asked Questions
The Building Regulations are made under the Building Act 1984, and they apply in England and Wales. They are made to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings as well as ensuring energy conservation, and access to and use of buildings. The regulations are simple requirements that can be met in many ways and are highlighted in all approved documents at the start of every section.The Building Regulations are supported by approved documents that provide guidance on how building work could comply with them. These guidance documents cover most parts of a building including structure, fire safety, resistance to moisture, sound insulation, ventilation, hygiene, heat producing appliances, stairs and guarding, electrical and mechanical services, disabled access, glazing, etc. These documents are also supported by an extensive number of other standards and guidance.The majority of building works carried out will be required to comply with these regulations and the approval service can be provided by either Approved Inspectors or the Local Authority.
Approved Inspectors are private companies or individuals authorised by the UK Government Secretary of State under the Building Act 1984 to provide the function of building control in England and Wales only. Approved Inspectors do not work for the Local Authority and provide the Building Control function independently of any public body. Act Surveyors is a corporate Approved Inspector that provides the Building Control service from several regional office locations.
A fee will be payable for us to provide the Building Control service. Upon request we can provide a formal fee quotation that takes into account the project location, site works programme, complexity, cost of works, size of building, etc. The fee will normally be invoiced in advance and at key stages and will be subject to VAT. Please contact us by telephone, fax, e-mail, mail, or visit us personally (by appointment advisable) to discuss the building works and Approved Inspector service fee further.
The Local Authority does not get directly involved with the building control plan checking or site inspection procedure when an Approved Inspector is appointed. The Local Authority involvement is simply to record the Approved Inspector Building Control process.To allow the Local Authority to record the process the Approved Inspector gives them various legal notices including an initial notice, amendment notices, plans certificates, etc. When the work is satisfactorily completed the Approved Inspector must issue a Final Certificate to the Local Authority to confirm that work referred to in the initial notice is complete and in compliance with the regulations.
You should contact us to discuss the project particulars and we will provide a formal fee quotation. For non-complex building works you can appoint us by simply completing a project information form and returning it to us together with acceptance of the fee quotation. We will advise you at this time if any other procedures or terms of appointment will be applicable. Please note that we must give the initial notice to the Local Authority before building work starts and as such we must be appointed in time to do this. If works have substantially started we may not be able to accept the appointment.