Site inspections for building control

How to arrange a site inspection

To book a site inspection visit, you can: 

1. Book online using the LABC Site Inspection App
2. Call us on 01865 252807
3. Email us at siteinspections@oxford.gov.uk with the following details:
   • your reference number
   • the site address
   • type of inspection you're requesting
   • builder’s name, address, and telephone number (for the first inspection)
   • contact name and telephone number (for subsequent inspections)
   • date when the work will be ready for inspection

We offer next working day inspections. Inspections are available Monday to Friday. Site inspections will be made between 9.30am and 3pm. Please note that completion inspections are only booked for the Building Control Inspector to contact you by phone to arrange a mutually agreed inspection date as the Inspector will require enough time to review the file.

You must be available throughout this period. Unfortunately, we are unable to give specific times for inspections due to the volume and varying length of time per inspection.

The inspector can call on the day prior to the visit if you specify this on your request.

Please ensure requests are made before 5pm on the day before the desired inspection date. We'll book the visit for the following working day

Note that Completion Inspections cannot be scheduled for a specific day. A member of the Building Control Team will contact you to arrange this after your request.

We require 48 hours' notice, following payment receipt, before arranging an inspection.

Inspection stages

Your project inspection plan will indicate the stages that you will need to notify us of during construction. The following are the stages at which an inspection is required. However, as all jobs are individual, we may request that other stages are inspected once work has commenced on site.

• commencement: notification is required 2 working days before starting the works
• foundations excavated: required before pouring concrete
• damp-proof course and ground floor oversite: required when preparing the ground floor oversite before concreting (other floor types require inspection before they are covered up)
• structural timbers, steelwork or concrete beams: required before they are covered up
• drains for foul and surface water: required before backfilling
• drains testing
• roof structure: required before tiling or plasterboarding
• occupied before completion (if relevant): an inspection can be carried out if the building is to be occupied before it can be considered complete for Building Regulations
• work completed: final inspection upon completion of all worksadditional fees maybe payable at this stage

Final Inspection

It is essential that you contact us within 3 years from the last inspection after your project is complete to book the final inspection.  We will not be able to issue your completion certificate if you do not.

If a request is received outside of this time, an inspection may be made at the absolute discretion of the Council and additional fees maybe payable at this stage.

Completion Certificate

After a satisfactory final inspection and submission of all requested paperwork, we will issue your Completion Certificate free of charge. If you need additional copies of your Completion Certificate, a fee will apply.

Your Completion Certificate is a legal document and it is important to keep it in a safe place.  Most house sales require a Completion Certificate for any works undertaken to which Building Regulations Approval apply.  If you do not have a Completion Certificate, this may delay a future sale of your property.

For full details and how to request a copy of a Completion Certificate see our Building Control FAQs.