Request a site inspection

Site inspections

It is a legal requirement that you inform us when work commences on site, at various stages of work, and at completion of the work. This is so that we can inspect the work as it progresses and check that it meets the building regulations and will help make sure that completion documentation can be issued.

How to request

You can request an inspection or notify us of an inspection stage by calling 028 9027 0650. You must already have made a valid application for the works. Phone lines are open between 9am and 5pm on Monday to Thursday and 9am and 4.30pm on Friday.

You must give us 24 hours' notice when requesting an inspection. If we cannot facilitate the inspection you will be advised of the next available date. 

If you have carried on with building work during the time we were not able to inspect that type of work, you should now request an inspection for it, even if you made statutory notifications to us about it. If you have already completed the building works, you should now request a completion inspection. If you have taken a photographic record throughout your build, when we make enquiry in relation to building regulation compliance, we may receive and consider photographic or video evidence about the works, where deemed appropriate, in conjunction with site inspection.

Before starting work and requesting an inspection, make sure you have made a valid Building Control application, and you have planning permission for the work if it is required.  

Most inspections take place in working hours:

Working hours may vary on public and bank holidays. Visit our holiday arrangements for holiday opening hours. 

Statutory notifications

It is your legal responsibility to tell us when your building work is at the following stages (statutory notifications) - you can do this by requesting an inspection at these stages:

• When you start the work
• When you dig the foundations
• When you pour the foundation concrete
• When you fit a damp-proof course
• When you lay and compress the site hardcore (for example, with a roller) 
• When you lay the concrete subfloor
• When you lay the drainage system (both before, and after backfilling)
• Before covering any sound insulation measures
• Before covering any above ground structural elements
• When the work is finished
• Any other stages the surveyor on-site asks you to tell us about

We may test drains and private sewers or ask you to have the tests carried out. We may also take samples of materials being used to make sure these meet Building Regulations requirements. If we don't get an opportunity to inspect important work, we have the authority to have the works opened up for inspection.

Technical advice

In some instances, you may be able to contact individual surveyors you have been dealing with by mobile or email. This may not always be possible.  

For technical queries, email buildingcontroltechnicalenquiry@belfastcity.gov.uk and a surveyor will get in touch.