Home Improvement Advice for Extensions & Additions

What Does A Building Inspector Do? Do it Yourself Tips for Extensions & Additions

A building inspector works for the local council in which you live and should make visits at different stages of your extension/loft conversion. He should check:

Footings / foundations

Roof timbers

Drains

DPC (Damp course) This stops the damp creeping up through the building.

Generally checking the structure is solid and safe.

He will give an unbiased view on the work you are having done, give you some peace of mind that it is of an acceptable standard, and you will know that the technical side of things are being kept a close expert eye on. These visits are included in the planning permission fee.

Although he will tell the builder if he is not happy with something, he is not there to negotiate between you and your builder, if you have problems with what is going on you must sort this out with the builder yourself.

You should stress to your builder that you want these visits, they are compulsory.

Generally speaking, when you are granted planning permission you will get some cards that need to be filled in and sent to the building inspector at stages and he then visits. However, you will also be given a telephone number that you can call and he will usually visit within twenty four hours.