Building Control joys

vinnyv

Hi Folks,

I'm currently doing a House extension and having to deal with the joy that is called Building Control. Not sure if this is across the board but my inspector seems really arrogant and talks down to you and it’s not just me being vain or ego kicking in.

Anyway, he has been visiting to inspect my foundations now fourth time. Rather than informing my builder that the amendments or corrections required in a single visit he is drip feeding to them which isn’t terribly efficient. When questioned why you did not inform us during last visit the excuse is simply it did not occur to me and this pattern continues hence the number of visits for foundations. The inspector came down on Tuesday and asked us to carry out further works and said he will be back on Friday, my builder completed the work and came Friday.

On Friday my builder called me at 11 am and said the inspector hasn’t arrived yet and cannot get hold of him. So I called to confirm that he is visiting. No answer on his DDI so I left a polite message. I then proceeded to call Building Control Reception and asked if she can firm he is coming, she wasn’t sure and would need to call him and she would call me back to confirm.

I heard nothing So I called reception again at 1pm, and she said she cannot get hold of him on the mobile either and will keep trying. I asked her do you not have it in his diary, she replied she is not sure as the diary is on him. So I asked well how do you keep track in the office then?
She said that he has a private diary that he keeps on him and the appointment will in this if he has told you he will come on Friday. If you call reception and book then we put it in the office diary. No error there for double booking then!

Waiting till 3:50 and called again to chase, she said she was unable to reach him and will contact me as soon as she get hold of him. She called me at 4 PM to say that he cannot make his appointment and will be Monday now and cannot give me a specific time.

My patience was wearing thin by now, eventually I got through to him at 4pm and he said he will see us on Monday now. I said that this is ridiculous, as I have been waiting all day for you to make the appointment and has taken 5 hours to let me know you cannot make it. I said it is professional courtesy to at least let me know. I wasn’t too bothered by the reschedule, but more by the fact that he had left us hanging. He got on his high horse and said that’s not the way we work and he is not in the habit of letting people know if he cannot make it and that I need to come down to the real world.

He said he will now come out tonight.

Do you think this was a mistake, I fear this could now be a personal vendetta to make my extension difficult as possible on his part?

Should I be complaining officially to council or leave well alone?

Is this normal building control behaviour?

Thanks

DVardysShadow

I doubt he is having a go at you. Check with your builder to see whether he has had any run ins with this character. That may inform you as to how to proceed.

The behaviour is not acceptable and dripfeeding information over several visits where the comments could have been made at the first visit is not acceptable. As for the excuse that it did not occurr to him to mention any factor at a previous visit, I would doubt his technical competence. Either something complies with the building regs or it does not - or he raises the matter and it is argues over to resolution. But to proceed by nibbling really is complainable. I don't know whether thare are any appeals on building control, but I think you should explore the complaints procedure and look at whether the council would give you another officer.

muskoka

I dont like the sound of him either. I've just had an extension built. We would phone to book the building inspector & he would always arrive on the day specified. We also had his mobile tel no & phoned him when we had a query & we could also phone his office to check an appointment.

Sorry, your inspector sounds lacking

MX5huggy

Building control are obsessed by foundations, once you are over that hurdle things may get better. You can actuality use a private building control company if you want.

vinnyv

I have just spoken to my builder, The inspector turned up on site and passed everything. The builder mentioned that the inspector was in a foul mood. Not the happiest bunny, I guess I pulled him away from his 4pm friday pint down the pub.

I hope he doesnt dispute inspection or deny having visited site later on.

Kind of at the mercy of the mood of an individual.

I sound very untrusting but you never upset a waiter as you never know whats in your food.

vinnyv

muskoka wrote: »

I dont like the sound of him either. I've just had an extension built. We would phone to book the building inspector & he would always arrive on the day specified. We also had his mobile tel no & phoned him when we had a query & we could also phone his office to check an appointment.

Sorry, your inspector sounds lacking

I wish I had your inspector, No mobile number, his own receptionist cant get hold of him, no email address.

He keep riminding me he is not here to project manage and not very fourth coming onsite. I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting him face to face.

vinnyv

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I doubt he is having a go at you. Check with your builder to see whether he has had any run ins with this character. That may inform you as to how to proceed.

The behaviour is not acceptable and dripfeeding information over several visits where the comments could have been made at the first visit is not acceptable. As for the excuse that it did not occurr to him to mention any factor at a previous visit, I would doubt his technical competence. Either something complies with the building regs or it does not - or he raises the matter and it is argues over to resolution. But to proceed by nibbling really is complainable. I don't know whether thare are any appeals on building control, but I think you should explore the complaints procedure and look at whether the council would give you another officer.

Thanks. A few people have advised this. Now the foundations have passed I'll cool off a bit and see how it goes. It it continues to be a problem I will contact the council and demand a new inspector. I'm generally a calm and cool person but there is no need for rude unprofessional behaviour and the buck has to stop somewhere.

If I took the same attitude at work and not notify clients I cannot attend a meeting for whatever reason I'd be collecting my P45 sharp.