Request an inspection

Site inspections

We can carry out all types of inspections including internal inspections of occupied properties. We cannot inspect inside homes where anyone has symptoms of COVID-19 or is self-isolating – please don’t request an inspection if this is the case. You must also agree to our social distancing requirements. When you request an inspection the building control surveyor will contact you before the inspection to discuss and agree these with you. 

How to book

You can book an inspection by emailing buildingcontrol@belfastcity.gov.uk or calling 028 9027 0650.

You must give us 24 hours' notice when requesting an inspection. Inspection requests received by 10am will be scheduled for inspection the next day or when requested after this, subject to our resources.

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, please 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.