On site approval

Where a local authority building control service is being used, the building regulations require that notice is given to the local authority of commencement and completion of the work and at certain other stages:

• Start: at least two days before the work begins.
• Commencement: no more than five working days after the work counts as commenced. The definition of commencement depends on the type of work but will often be when 15% of the building work is completed, or when the sub-surface structure of the building or extension is complete.
• Completion: not more than five days after the work is completed.

In respect of other stages, the notice required is (in practice) at least one whole day's and relates to:

• Excavation for a foundation (before covering up)
• The foundation itself (before covering up)
• Any damp proof course (before covering up)
• Any concrete or material laid over a site (before covering up). 

When these stages are reached, the work should pause to give the authority time to make an inspection. They will advise you if the work does not comply with the building regulations. Where a building is being erected, and that building (or part of it) is occupied before completion, the person carrying out the work is required to give the local authority at least five days’ notice before the occupation. If the local authority is not informed of relevant stages of work for inspection it may, by notice in writing, require the work to be opened up for inspection so that it can be ascertained whether or not the work complies with the building regulations.