How the system works
NHBC's building control system is simple, efficient and aimed at helping you meet your obligations under the Building Regulations.
You can use it on its own or benefit from our range of integrated services.
Below is a step-by-step guide showing how the system works and what you need to do to get the best out of it.
Contact us early
This is particularly important for complex projects.
If you are new to NHBC please contact a surveyor on 0870 241 4306 at an early stage. They will explain the service in detail and discuss how it can be tailor-made to satisfy your needs.
The Initial Notice is the only form to fill in. Once completed please send to:
NHBC
NHBC House
Davy Avenue
Knowlhill
Milton Keynes
MK5 8FP
together with 4 copies of initial construction plans (scale not less than 1:1250) showing:
- Site location
- Boundaries
- Proposed building
- Foul and surface water connections to sewers or other outfalls such as soakaways
Fees are not payable until work starts.
Our surveyor completes the Initial Notice and sends it to the Local Authority who have five working days to accept it.
Acceptance signifies that NHBC is responsible for carrying out building control on the site. However, the Local Authority is still responsible for matters such as planning, highways and adoptable sewers.
Acceptance is regarded as the deposit of plans for the purposes of the Advanced Payments Code under the Highways Act 1980. This does not apply if you have already entered into an agreement under section 38 of the Highways Act 1980, or agreed in principle to do so.
You must not start any of the building work until the Initial Notice has been accepted or the project may return to the control of the Local Authority.
We check the drawings
Working drawings and structural design are checked for Building Regulation compliance and approvals are issued promptly, allowing you to make a start on site.
Full information as early as possible will ensure maximum benefit is gained from the service and reliable information is relayed to site.
If you have Type Approvals you only need to send their reference numbers along with working drawings for those aspects which are not covered, or you wish to change.
We carry out the statutory consultations
Two additional sets of plans are required if your project is to be used in a way designated in the Fire Precautions Act 1971 (or is subject to other fire safety legislation).
Our surveyor will consult with the Fire Authority and you have the assurance that action will not be taken by the Fire Authority for work covered by the Building Regulations.
We issue site approval
Our surveyor issues a site approval certificate once all necessary checks are complete and outstanding matters resolved.
Approval can be conditional to enable certain details to be finalised as work progresses.
We inspect as you build
An NHBC inspector will visit you on site when work commences to identify potential problems and organise future visits to fit in with your work programme. You will then need to give 24 hours notice of reaching critical aspects of construction so that work can be inspected. Inspectors can be contacted out of office hours.
A site record book will be supplied, in which the inspector can record any observations, providing a clear record of any matters that need to be resolved. We understand that delays are costly so we will respond quickly to any problems which arise and give you the opportunity to rectify the situation.
You notify us of the occupation date
It is essential that you let us know the occupation date so that we carry out an inspection. If the building is not completed within eight weeks of occupation the Initial Notice will cease to be in force unless the Local Authority agrees to an extension of time.
Close liaison is required if the building is going to be used in a way designated under the Fire Precaution Act 1971 because the time limit from occupation is four weeks.
You receive the final certificate
The final certificate will be sent to you and the Local Authority once the inspector is satisfied that there are no outstanding matters and that the building complies with Building Regulations.
Call us to find out more
Please contact a building surveyor on 0870 241 4306 at our Milton Keynes office, who will be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements.
