building regs completion

[medlock]

What enforecement can building control take if i dont have a completion statement?

I got a builder to do a loft for me but the completion statement wasnt given as the checks werent made - although i paid for the building reg fees

And how can the building reg department prove things like the following:
- depth of foundations meeting min requirements
- min insulation requirments
- steel beams positioned and supported correctly
- sound proofing

Would they start digging and going through the walls to find out?

They've asked for the completion statement, so not sure what i should do now, please advise, thanks

[midlandslandlord]

Not totally sure about enforcement of loft extensions, though there are time limits, but...

And how can the building reg department prove things like the following:
- depth of foundations meeting min requirements
- min insulation requirments
- steel beams positioned and supported correctly
- sound proofing

Would they start digging and going through the walls to find out?

In a word, yes.

The normal way would be interim inspections at each stage in a build - e.g., they may visit to look at foundations before you cover them up.

If you have covered them up, I believe that they can require you to dig a sufficient number of test pits to demonstrate that your foundations meet their requirements. And it happens.

Often there are bits and pieces that builders/architects like to get done "before their next visit", which may mean they are bending a rule slightly, but generally you don't want to play games with the biggies.

Others may have more to say on this, as my knowledge is through experience not theory here.

ML

[medlock]

Oh thanks for the useful info!

Let's assume they dont like what they see and I cant afford to rectify the problem, if the cost is too high

What enforcement powers do they possess? Similar to planning enforcement? Is building regs enforcement common? You only seem to here about planning enforcement

[mk1fan]

It will be down to you to demonstrate compliance, not for Building Control to open up and investigate.

I suspect that their attitude will be that if you could afford to convert the loft, then you can afford to do it properly.

The foundations will need to be sufficient to support the additional loads being imposed by the extra floor which is why they are asking about the foundations. Your structural design should contain this.

Worst case they could condem the building if it's structurally un-sound.

As with Planning there is a period of time after which things are accepted (structural issues aside) however, a non-compliant or incomplete Building Control file will devalue a property at point of sale.

[medlock]

Cant they fine me? Or come into the property and rip it up?

Many thanks