Once you have submitted your Building Notice or Approval with Full Plans Application you can start work at any time, providing you notify Ipswich Building Control of your proposed start date. However, when applying using the Approval with Full Plans Procedure it might be sensible to wait until you have received your approval before starting work.

Building Regulations require that you or your builder notify the local council at various stages so that the work can be inspected.

An inspection regime will be agreed at the start of your project and issued with our acknowledgement. You are required to give minimum periods of notice for these inspections. Regulations require 48 hours notice for commencement, 24 hours to inspect work and 7 days for completion or occupation. Other than completion and occupation, when requested by 4.30pm, we aim to carry out inspections the next working day, or on an alternative date of your choosing.

You can request an inspection by contacting Building Control on 01473 432000 or 432951 or emailing: building.control@ipswich.gov.uk 

Inspections can cover:

• Commencement of work;
• Foundation excavations;
• Concrete in foundations;
• Oversite preparation;
• Damp-proof courses;
• Drainage before covering over;
• Drainage after haunching or covering;
• Occupation of the building or part of the building;
• Completion of work.

It should be noted that additional inspections might also be considered necessary following discussions with the Building Control Surveyor during the course of the work, such as:

• Floors;
• Steelwork and supporting structure;
• Roof structures;
• Wall structures;
• Insulation;
• Fire protection work and systems.