Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Approved Inspectors?

Approved Inspectors are companies or individuals approved by Government to provide Building Control Services in England and Wales.

Assent Building Control Limited provides a cost-effective and client friendly alternative to local authority building control anywhere in England and Wales. We have a team of qualified and experienced building control professions who work with the design team from inception to final certification.

2. What are Building Regulations?

Building Regulations are rules designed to ensure health, safety, accessibility and energy conservation in and about buildings.

3. When do Building Regulations apply?

The rules are complex. Building Regulations may apply in any of the following circumstances:

• The erection, alteration or extension of a building.
• The installation, alteration or extension of services or fittings.
• The change of use of a building.
4. What area does Assent cover?

Assent has 16 offices around the Country. This means that clients throughout England and Wales always have a local Assent building control surveyor to liaise with. Please refer to our office map

5. What other services can Assent offer?

In addition to building control services assent offers a range of associated services including Energy Performance Certification, fire risk assessment and access audits and technical seminars.

6. What are Assent’s fees for acting on your behalf?

Assent offers a cost effective service tailored to the individual project. Let us have details of your project by telephone, email or by our online quotation service (link). We will respond with a fixed price, all inclusive fee proposal outlining the services you will receive from us.

7. How do I apply for building control certification from Assent?

Either complete get started now, online form or telephone/email us to discuss your needs. As soon as we have the details of your project you will receive an acknowledgement by email. We will then provide on-going advice and guidance to ensure your project meets the Building Regulations.

8. What happens if there is a problem with an application?

Unlike a local authority building control department Assent never reject an application out right. Instead we would request further information as required.

9. When can I start on site?

When you instruct Assent you are appointing us to act on your behalf. As part of the Building Regulations process Assent will notify your local authority of your intended building work on what is called an 'Initial Notice'. You may start work just as soon as this notice has been accepted by your local authority.

10. What is the “process”?

In addition to submitting the initial notice Assent takes on the responsibility for plan checking and site inspections. We will also issue a plans certificate when requested (not all clients need this) and, upon satisfactory completion of your project, we will issue a final certificate.

11. What recourse do you have if you are unhappy with an Approved Inspector’s performance?

Assent Building Control Limited is bound by the codes of conduct of our own professional bodies including RICS, ABE and IFE and that of our regulatory body, the Construction Industry Council (CIC).

In the unusual event that a client is dissatisfied with the building control service they receive they should contact Assent in the first instance. We will do our utmost to resolve any problems with you following our agreed complaints procedure.