Frequently Asked Questions

Registered Building Control Approver. A private sector business licensed by the Building Safety Regulator to conduct Building Control work. RBCAs were previously known as 'Approved Inspectors' under the Building Safety Act.

A form served by the RBCA to the Local Authority stating they are to be the Building Control Body. It needs to be submitted at least 5 working days before the work starts. It can be served weeks or months in advance, as long as it is within three years of estimated commencement.

This document demonstrates that the building work is compliant with building regulations.

Issued by an RBCA or local authority, a plans certificate is a formal document showcasing that detailed construction drawings comply with building regulations. It is not required on projects except for High Risk Buildings. Building Control Management offer this as standard, but for smaller projects it is often unnecessary as detailed plans are not needed.

The client is legally defined as any person or organisation for whom a construction project or building work is carried out. The client holds ultimate non-transferable legal responsibility for ensuring that a project complies with building regulations.

Under the Building Safety Act 2022, a higher-risk building is a building in England that:

(a) is at least 18 metres in height or has at least 7 storeys, and

(b) contains at least 2 residential units.

Only the Building Safety Regulator can deal with these types of buildings, although our Managing Director Ged Cooper is qualified to inspect them.

This is when either 15% of the work is completed or the first floor is reached. Confusingly, this is not the start date unless the above is likely to be achieved on the same day.

Plans Certificate -

RBCA -

Initial Notice -

Commencement - Date

Final Certificate -

The Client -

Higher Risk -Building