Changing Building Inspector...

[rl290]

Hello and happy 2025,

 

I am now two years into building my new family home (we will be in by Easter!), but I'm having serious issues with our Building Inspector (from the Council). Full details are below, and I am posting now to see if:

 

1. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed?
2. Does anyone have experience changing Building Inspector?

 

(I note that there is a post from 2018 about changing building inspectors here, but there is no specific answer - beyond discussion - about whether it is possible to change inspector.)

 

 

The issue I'm trying to resolve

 

• We originally planned to appoint a private Building Inspector (BI) who the architect has used before. Our first builder ignored this, and called the Council instead. I was then told by the (then) Project Manager that I had to then appoint the Council, which I did. (I'm not sure this was at all correct, but it's where I am).
   
• The Council's BI gave us a list of questions (e.g. "Provide the structural drawings and calcs"; "Provide the PAS 24 certificate for the windows"; etc etc) last year. I provided all details, clearly laid out, in November.
   
• We met with the BI in early December, who promised to review and comment on all documents by the following week. No response was received. We met the BI in early January who said she would review and comment on all documents by the following week. No response was received. In mid-January by phone, she said she would send a full response "today or tomorrow". That was one week ago, and I have heard nothing. Attempts to call her and emails requesting an update since her latest deadline have gone unanswered.

 

It is now 10 weeks since providing the details to the BI, and we have had no comments, despite her promises. The key point I am most concerned about (and the BI is aware of this) is confirmation that our fire envelope details are compliant. Without this confirmation, we will need to pause the project soon. (For clarity, the architect and I are both satisfied that we are compliant, and we have checked informally with the private BI... but until the Council's BI signs off, there is a risk that she raises a concern).

 

 

My current plan

 

1. I will, of course, continue to try to contact the BI. If she does not reply soon, I will raise a formal complaint with the Council.
    
2. I have written to the originally intended private BI, to see whether he would be able to take this on. I have noted that we have the site reports from the Council's BI, and site reports from an independent surveyor working for my structural warranty provider. In addition, I have numerous other surveys (e.g. concrete strength tests, drainage CCTV, etc) and detailed images from every stage of the build. I am hoping this may be enough to give him what he needs to take the project on. (I note that other posts in this forum state that BIs have signed things off based only on photos).

 

 

Question for you

 

Are there any suggestions that you fine folks have about how to proceed?

Do you have any experience trying to change inspectors?

Are there any deadlines you would expect the Council to stick to? 

 

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. I will update this post when I hear back from either party (mainly for future forum users)

 

Thanks in advance,

R

 

 

 

[rl290]

UPDATE:

The private building inspector has replied saying:

 

”Unfortunately there is no mechanism to change from Local Authority to independent Building Control. There is a mechanism to change between independent building control bodies.”

 

So, any suggestions on how to proceed with the Council? I am considering a formal complaint. 

[DevilDamo]

As you have already found out, once an application is deposited with the LA, it’s stuck with them until completion.

 

Have you tried written to the Head of Building Control?

[rl290]

Thanks Devil. I tried calling our building inspector today, and she responded with a “I’ll call you later” text. 
 

if she doesn’t get back to me by tomorrow I will be formally lodging a complaint. I believe this is dealt with by the team head, but I’ll suggest specifically the Head of Building Control. 
 

I’ll let you know how it goes!