What has changed in Building Control.
What has changed in Building Control.
Building Control used to be a department in the Council. Local Authority Building Control (LABC). Their sole reason was to work locally and inspect buildings in the vicinity for compliance. Hence, they knew the geology, the suppliers, the various sub-contractors and they knew the people involved. They were truly impartial as they had no commercial interest in the outcome.
The 1984 Building Act, created the new approved building control inspectors. Interestingly the first approved inspector was the National Homebuilding Council or NHBC which became fully operational in 1985.
NHBC
This new private sector was slow to established itself. However, in the last 20 years, the market for approved inspectors has boomed. These private sector companies or individuals licensed to carry out building control work. The idea was that they would offer a competitive alternative providing a similar service but often with a more flexible and commercial approach. In reality this has lead to a race to the bottom on pricing. LABC has to compete with these new organisations. In effect dropping prices and promising better response times for inspection. This had lead to a drop in quality.
RBAC
However, these companies and organisations are now referred to as Registered Building Control Approvals (RCBAs). This is since the amendment to the Building Safety act 2022 updating the 1984 act. This has yet to take off and most people still refer to them as approved inspectors.
This has now morphed into the snappy, Building (registered Building Control Approvers etc.) Regulations of 2024.
The original view of LABC was they were impartial. Their wages were paid by the council. However with the RBCA, their fees are paid for by the person commissioning them. Whilst they are also bound by strict professional codes. The client now holds the cards. If they do not like a decision by an RBCA they can take their business elsewhere.
Regardless of whether you choose LABC or an RBCA, you must notify them of your intention to commence work.