Is Buildings Inspector liable in any way?

Rich_Z

Hi all,

I was after a bit of advice please. I recently had an extension built at the rear of my house, after plans were approved by Building Control at the local council. This was to make some more room for my ever increasing family! The extension is a single story with a low pitch roof, with three Velux windows.
Throughout I have followed the correct process and I have not tried to cut any corners. To date I have spent over £35K (with a new kitchen etc).
Anyway after digging the footing the Inspector stated he would come back before the roof was laid. Everything went ok up to this point. Unknown to me the builder put the pitch of the roof to low! The plans stated the roof was to be 15 degrees minimum. This was an important factor as the both the Velux and tiles spec say they can only go down to 15 degrees as there maximum tolerance and anything less is a no no and outside their range.
The Inspector visited and passed the roof without checking the pitch, therefore giving the roofer the go ahead to lay the tiles etc. Cutting a long story short the roof leaked!
I called the Inspector back again after the build was finished as we had another leak (after it was supposedly fixed)! I instructed the Inspector to inspect the roof and ensure it was up to scratch, as I believed poor workmanship played a part. I kick myself now but at no time was I aware the pitch was to low. Following his second visit the Inspector again failed to pick up on the pitch of the roof! He stated some remedial work was required which was done.
Since (July 24th) the roof leaked again with the recent thunder storms. I got a proper independent roofer to look at the roof. Again long story short the pitch is about 12.5 at best!
Taking the builder to one side (unfortunately I will be forced to go to a small claims court) is the Inspector partly liable in any way?
I could forgive the first time, although he should of checked, but the second time?
I now have a roof which is not fit for purpose and outside of building regs. Had the Inspector spotted it or checked it, he could have instructed the builder to put it right before a 2K roof went on!
Its now got to come off, and guess what the builder is saying the Inspector 'passed' it prior to the roof going on, and its not his fault. As above I still hold him responsible, but could I hold the council to book also, as I feel they are partly to blame for the situation I am in.
Ideally I'd like to hold them both responsible, to spread the cost as I know getting the builder to pay is going to be a problem.

Any words of advice would be greatly received. I have googled suing the council, but there is not much out there with regards to Buildings control getting it wrong. The phrase I have seen several times is the builder & the Inspector both made a 'serious non compliance' with regs. The builder for fitting it, but also the Inspector for his failure to spot a 'serious' error twice, even more so when he was aware there was an issue with the roof. The build has still not been signed off!

Thanks,

Rich.

evoke

I would say the builder is liable. He should know how to build a roof properly. Obviously the roof is not fit for purpose.

Is the builder registered with any professional organisation?

phill99

What do the 'as built' drawings specify?