Extension never had final inspection....help!

walsgravematt

Hi all,

Around 5 years ago I had an extension built with 2 rooms downstairs and a bedroom upstairs...

I have now learnt that there should have been a final inspection - is this right?

Also, I'm a little worried as to be honest the builders weren't brilliant :mad:
- the cementing on the front is coming away from the main house,
- some tiles have come off the roof,
- there are some cracks in bricks lower down,
- there is some damp inside where the drainpipe on the outside is leaking (incorrectly installed)...
- there is some damp inside where it seems the radiators are leaking

What should I do - if I do need an inspection,

- should I get these things dealt with first, or

- try to get the builders back to sort it out if they still exist (is 5 years too long to expect them to do it for free?), or

- should I just go ahead and get the inspection done (is there a charge for this?)

I was pretty green when these happened, and don't think I'd let them get away with such a poor job again...

All replies welcomed

Thanks
WM

dander

I can't see any way you'd be able to get the builders to take any responsibility after that length of time.

I'm guessing you mean building control - did you have the inspections done as the build progressed, but just not the final inspection, or has the whole thing been done with out notifying building control?

As far as I'm aware you normally pay your local council one sum at the outset for them to perform the building control checks, so if you've notified them and paid this, you may find they will just finish off the checks (although the 5 years might be a problem).

Mr_Warren_2

I have heard a few people stating that final completion certificate was delivered without final inspection. Call the boys and tell them you need this certificate (ie. you are moving house). They will post it to you.

smjxm09

You might well have a problem now as building standards have changed. The building inspector will be looking for a certificate from an electrician that the electrics meet the latest standards. Our inspector failed the final inspection because the electrician the builder used could not issue a certificate so the builder had to employ another one who checked the first electricians work and condemned it.

What about the central heating? Building regs state that you should have as a minimum TRV’s fitted to bedroom radiators. The list is endless.

You have already paid inspection fees so I would have thought you would not need to pay again.


You won't be able to sell your house without a completion cert