You can request a building site inspection by one of our surveyors, who will check the building works comply with building regulations.
Requests for site inspections are viewed at 4pm every weekday afternoon. An inspection will then be arranged depending on availability.
The site inspections usually take place between 10am and 2pm. Make sure someone is available at the property between these times on the requested date.
Alternatively, you can phone 01344 354100.
Your builder or agent can request inspections on your behalf however it is the home owner's responsibility to make sure all inspections are carried out.
Sending us photos
If you are asked to send photos, email them to building.control@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Our mailbox is limited to 30MB so you may need to send multiple emails. Sending photographic evidence does not imply approval and you should seek approval from your building control surveyor after submitting the photographs.
For more information, read our phone number and photograph policy.
Stages of work - notices and inspections
When you have submitted an application for building control full plans or building notice and you are ready to start work you must notify us at various stages of the work.
It is the responsibility of the person undertaking the work to notify us at the stages listed in the table below.
| Stage of inspection | Examples |
|---|---|
| 1. Start of works | At least 2 days before works begin on site you need to give start of work notice. At this point you are unlikely to need a physical inspection. |
| 2. Excavations | Strip and trench foundations Pad foundations Raft foundations Piled foundations Ground beams Structural slabs Existing foundations taking additional loads |
| 3. Oversite | Ground bearing slab (pre-concrete) Suspended slab (pre concrete) Suspended timber joists Block and beam structure At this stage you also need to give notice about building work regarded as commenced. |
| 4. Tanking | Damp proof course Damp proof membrane Basement waterproofing Change of level tanking |
| 5. Thermal insulation | Any thermal insulation applied to an external element (for example, floor, walls or roof) Foul and surface water drainage Soakaways Above and below ground drainage |
| 6. Drainage | Foul and surface water drainage Soakaways Above and below ground drainage |
| 7. Upper floors | Floor joists Plank concrete floors Beam and block |
| 8. Roofs | Pitch roof structure (including straps and fixings) Flat roof structure (including straps and fixings) Trusses |
| 9. Structural members | Steel, timber or composite beams Steel, timber, masonry or composite columns Internal loadbearing walls Portal Frames Existing structural members taking additional loads |
| 10. Elements of fire safety | Means of escape provisions Fire resistance to structural elements Fire stopping Emergency lighting Fire detection Ventilation provisions Specialist fire safety provisions (for example, fire curtains, sprinklers, mechanical smoke extraction and dampers) |
| 11. Testing of services | Drains (foul and surface water) Specialist fire safety provisions (for example, fire curtains, sprinklers, mechanical smoke extraction and dampers) |
| 12. Completion of works | When you feel works on site are completed – prior to occupation At this stage you also need to give notice of completion as well as statements of completion. |
| 13. Remedial works | During any stage of the works a Registered Building Inspector may request further inspection based on the progress of the works on site |
Failure to notify Bracknell Forest Building Control of any of the stages identified in the table above may result in ‘opening up’ works being required or the withholding of the final certificate.
If you are unsure as to whether an element of works you are undertaking requires inspection, please contact your Registered Building Inspector.