Building control applications and inspections

In order to ensure the work you do complies with building regulations and other allied legislation and guidance, site inspections are required at various stages of the construction depending on the work being done. 

Once you have submitted your application and made a payment, one of our surveyors will be available to discuss the details of your project.

How to book an inspection

A site inspection must be requested at least 24 hours from the commencement of work. This can be arranged via the following methods

• LABC APP
• Email: buildingcontrol@merton.gov.uk
• Telephone: 020 4605 3145. Lines open 9-12am for booking site visits and 3-5pm for Technical queries.
• Address: Building Control, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX

Inspections are usually conducted between 10:00 am and 13:30 pm Tuesday- Friday. Any requests received after 10am will be arranged for the next available day.

It is important to note that the following inspections will be usually prioritised:

• Foundations
• Fire safety
• Problematic details
• Follow up contraventions
• Dangerous structures

Mandatory Inspections

All projects will require inspections to be carried out. There are several instances in which an inspection is mandatory.

Commencement (Statutory)

A site inspection is required upon commencement of works, however, in certain circumstances we may agree not to inspect the site until a further notice is received - but it is essential that you notify us of commencement to agree this.

Completion (Statutory)

An inspection must be booked upon completion of work (or for new buildings, before occupation).

We will check these items when you complete the building work:

• Fire precautions and requirements (even for a small extension)
• Ventilation to rooms and roof voids
• Waste
• Roof coverings and insulation
• Staircase
• Safety glazing

Provided we have inspected at all the relevant stages of the work as agreed in our initial conversation plus any additional inspections if required, and the fees paid, a Completion Certificate will be issued.

Occupation (Statutory)

If someone will be staying in the property before the works have been signed off (completion certificate issued) you will need book an inspection.

What other aspects of the work will require inspection

Other works that require inspection could be:

• Foundations excavated (before concrete)
  • We check that the ground is strong enough to hold the building, and:
    • How close and deep drains and manholes are
    • For signs of filled ground or limited areas
    • How deep the foundation is
    • How close trees are
    • If any trees have been removed
  • Ground made of clay must be at least 1000mm deep
  • We don’t inspect concrete in the ground. All blockwork should be damp-proof level and we will inspect the work before backfilling
• Damp proofing in walls

We will inspect the damp-proof course (DPC) to make sure the materials are suitable and wide enough to prevent water rising from the ground into the property.

Concrete fillings must be at least 225mm below DPC level.

You may also add some walling above DPC level to ensure external wall construction is correct.

• Ground floor walls completed, incl. Steels and timber structure
• Drainage (and ducting if applicable)

Submit a request before you backfill the drains with draining & connections still exposed

We will look at how you laid drains in the property including:

• material suitability
• drains’ fall and line
• material for bed and border
• access points
• Floor Joist

We will check the size, grade, centre, bearings, lateral restraint straps and herringbone strutting or noggins of joists

• Insulation
• Roof Timbers

We will check the size, grade and centre bracing, lateral restraint and wall plate straps of the roof timbers.

Request an inspection before adding the felt and battens.

• Damp proofing and insulation to floor
• Fire stopping/fire protection – drainage testing where applicable

Completion certificate

We will give you a completion certificate when you finish the work. It confirms your work complies with building regulations. Keep the certificate in a safe place as you will need it if you want to sell the property.

Failure to obtain a completion certificate could jeopardise your sale of the property.

Key notification stages for inspection

Below is an example of some of the most common stages at which an inspection is required depending on the type of project being undertaken however, this could vary depending on the project.

Notifications for replacement window(s) - not replacement glazing

Stage 1	Commencement may be combined with stage 2
Stage 2	Inspection of window
Stage 3	Completion may be combined with stage 2 if all okay

Notifications for loft conversions to house or flat

Stage 1	Commencement may be combined with stage 2
Stage 2	Steel beam installation
Stage 3	Timbers and insulation can be combined with stage 2 (if feasible)
Stage 4	Drainage connections (if any) can be combined with stage 5
Stage 5	Completion items usually inspected include; o    fire doors o    closers, o    smoke detectors and fire alarms o    fire resistance measures o    stairs, handrails o    room ventilation o    headroom o    means of escape/layout o    receipt of installer certificates as applicable

Notifications for extension to house, flat or small new built houses conversion

Stage 1	Commencement may be combined with stage 2
Stage 2	Excavation for foundations
Stage 3	Oversite can be combined with Stage 4
Stage 4	New walls, below ground drainpipes for falls and line and damp proof course
Stage 5	Damp proof membrane and insulation for new ground floor
Stage 6	Wall/roof insulation and floor structure
Stage 6a	Steel beams in loft area
Stage 6b	Floor, wall and roof timbers and insulation
Stage 7	Drainage connections (if any)
Stage 7a	Drain tests of new drains witnesses of drain tests after backfill
Stage 8	Completion of works items usually inspected include o    fire doors o    closers o    smoke detectors and fire alarms o    fire resistance measures o    stairs o    handrails o    room ventilation o    headroom o    means of escape/layout o    receipt of installation certificates where applicable

Notifications for garage conversion to habitable room

Stage 1	Commencement may be combined with stage 2
Stage 2	Inspect excavation for infill wall / window to replace garage door
Stage 3	DPC in Wall and DPM to Floor
Stage 4	New floor construction including Insulation and new drains (if needed)
Stage 5	New Insulation to Walls and roof with any associated roof void ventilation
Stage 6	Adequacy of ventilation to room and adequacy of means of escape in the event of fire
Stage 7	Completion may be combined with stage 6 if all okay

Notifications for load bearing wall removal

Stage 1	Commencement may be combined with stage 2
Stage 2	Inspection of structural works
Stage 3	Fire Proofing
Stage 4	Completion may be combined with stage 3 if all okay

Contact us

Email: buildingcontrol@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 4605 3145. Lines are open 9am-midday for booking site visits and 3pm-5pm for technical queries.
Address: Building Control, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX