Commercial Building Control vs LA

Halle71

Hello

Has anyone used a private building control company rather than their local council?

Our structural engineer has recommended a couple for us to look into and strongly recommended we use one to avoid the long delays encountered by some of his other clients who have dealt directly with our LA.

I haven't looked into costs yet, but assuming they are similar to LA building control, I can't see why you wouldn't use them. They fulfil the same process and upon sign off, send a certificate to the LA who then issue their own.

Specifically he has recommended BBS Building Control and Salus.

Thanks a lot

Doozergirl

We use private now. The costs are similar and we get to build a relationship with our inspector.

LAs can be a bit hit and miss. They either want to work with you or think of themselves as sent to catch people out. What some don't seem to quite grasp is that if one were trying to cheat building control, one wouldn't have put in an application in the first place. They just make life a bit harder for the good guys.

clockworks_2

I recently converted a loft under permitted development and used the LA , I also did a rear , and side extension using private Building control.

During the period of the loft being finished the LA had 3 different building control officers - two of which gave me different advice and meant I had to do some remedial work after.

Private was a lot more efficient, quicker and had the one person throughout the whole build which made things a lot easier.

Furts

LA score by having local knowledge which is useful with ground conditions, drainage and other items like liasing with Highways. The downside is budget constraints and lack of staff with some LA. Many of the best staff from LA have been poached by the private companies.

Basically, for the last two decades there has been a de-valueing of the ability, and status, of LA Building Control.

I understand Doozergirls approach - it makes commercial sense. But for a an extension, or small works, a typical consumer would be prudent to give first refusal to LA.

Halle71

Thanks for everyone's contributions.
I was hoping you would reply Doozergirl as I guessed you would have a lot of experience in this area.

We had a mixed experience with our LA. When we sold our last house a few months ago we discovered that there was no building regs certificate for an extension that was 3 years old when we moved in. This was actually our solicitor's fault and the Legal Ombudsman has just found a complaint against them in our favour but building regs kept changing their mind - 'we will pass it if you have an electrical inspection'........'no we won't as there were too few inspections'........ 'ok we will'......'actually I agree with my colleague and we can't'.
In the end they wrote a very diplomatic letter of comfort which our second buyers accepted but it was a very stressful time.

On balance I think we will take the advice of those who have recommended we go private - we need the process to be as painless as possible!

Would anyone have any idea of fees for a 4.5m, flat roof, kitchen extension with drains being moved and the current structure being supported with a frame rather than steel and posts? Our LA charges about £650.

ds1980

Ultimately it's about costs but private are much easier to deal with. Our LA have priced themselves out of anything I do but have always used private as cheaper and less hassle. If the LA was cheaper then I might consider but every penny counts. I'm being charged £600 for current extension and that's with them signing off a wood burning stove in another part of the house also. LA wanted nearly £1000. No brainer.

blackshirtuk

In our area our LA building inspector has started his own business taking with him the decent building inspectors from the council!

just saying that private may be better than LA for this reason.