Final checks

A final check should now be done to ensure all pre-commencement conditions have been met before construction starts. We add the following checklist to our Building Regulations drawings as a reminder:

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Planning Permission

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1- Have all Planning Conditions been discharged?

2- Have all pre-commencement requirements been met?

3 -Has a CIL commencement notice (if required) been deposited with the Local Authority?

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Trees/Arboriculture/Ecology

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1- If significant trees are present, has the tree protection fencing etc been installed?

2-Has the pre-commencement meeting been held with the Tree Officer & Tree Consultant?

3-Have any ecology/bat protection measures required been put in-place?

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Party Walls

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1-If building within 3m of neighbouring structure(s) are all Party Wall agreements in place?

Asbestos & contamination

1- Is the presence of asbestos or other contaminants on-site likely?

2-If so, have the requisite tests been carried out?

3- If so, have the contaminants present been removed from site?

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Thames Water build-over agreements

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1-If building close to a shared sewer has a Build-Over Agreement been obtained?

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Ground conditions

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1- Are adverse ground conditions likely? If so, has a soil test been performed?

2-Have Building Control approved foundation depths via a trial hole?

3-Have Building Control approved the rainwater discharge strategy?

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Structural matters

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1-Have all structural drawings & calculations been provided or are underway?

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Construction & Design Management regulations (CDM)

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1-Has site fencing/hoarding been installed to protect the site?

2-Have Health & Safety site notices been erected?

3-Have the client and sub-contractors been made aware of their responsibilities under CDM?

4-Have site welfare facilities incl. WC been provided?

5-Have adequate parking, site delivery and materials storage areas been allocated?

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Building Regulations

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1-Has Building Regulations approval been obtained or is it in progress?

2-Have Building Control been notified of site commencement (normally 48 hours in advance)?

 

Managing the project

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Depending upon the client's preference and the project size the QWS/PM may be retained on an ongoing basis to manage the construction programme including regular quality check inspections and valuations. The QS/PM will provide cost for this service usually on a per week or fixed priced basis.

 

Inspecting the work

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The project can now commence on-site once the Local Authority have been informed usually at least 48 hours before work starts and the first inspection is due.

An appointed Building Inspector (usually via the Local Authority) will inspect works on-site at predetermined points.

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The usual points of inspection are as follows:

1-Commencement Notice of intention to commence work on site. Usually required a minimum of 2 days before work starts

2-Excavations To ensure adequate depth and ground conditions for support of the new structure.

3-Foundations Inspection of concrete foundations once poured.

4-Oversite Inspection of below-ground blockwork, damp proof membrane and reinforcement mesh before pouring suspended concrete floor. Will also include any services pipework/ductwork.

5-DPC To ensure a suitable damp-proof course (DPC) has been installed.

6- Sewage/Rainwater Inspection of drains to ensure adequate fall and connections via suitable inspection chambers to all gully’s, soil pipes etc. Rainwater downpipes to gully's and linking to new or existing soakaways as appropriate (Note this is often done later in the project after scaffolding has been removed).

7-Drain test Testing of drains for water tightness prior to covering up.

8- Floor joists Floor joists including any doubled/trebled-up timbers where required as per working drawings.

9-Steelwork Structural steelwork including any bolted connections/welded joints and padstones as per

Structural Engineers design and drawings.

10-Roof timbers Roof structural timbers to ensure adequately positioned and supported as per working drawings.

11-Insulation Inspection of insulation prior to covering up to assess adequacy of thermal and sound insulation

12-Occupation Occupying a building prior to substantial completion may give rise to health and safety risks.

13-Final Inspection/Completion See below for a detailed list of items that will typically be inspected.

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Note that the Building Inspector may require copies of documents during the construction process from the builder e.g. Beam & Block floor specifications/calculations. These are usually conditioned on the Full Plans approval notice. If the project is being constructed under a Building Notice all works will be the responsibility of the property owner/builder to ensure compliance and the builder should check with the Building Inspector prior to commencement of a particular element if in doubt.

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On-hand to help

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During construction Heritage Architecture will be on-hand to assist where required to assist in design matters and offer a pragmatic approach to solving issues on site that are often only uncovered once the building is opened up. Note that we do not normally charge for telephone or email assistance but may charge for site visits.