When can I start work?

You may start work after you have submitted either a Full Plans, or a Building Notice application and at least 2 days notice has been given of your intention to commence (preferably in writing).

However you must ensure you have obtained all the other necessary approvals (e.g. Planning Permission) before you start.

You must give this authority notice when you reach certain stages of work. The following list describes the notices usually required: -

1) Commencement of work 2 days prior to commencement

2) Foundation excavations 1 day prior to concreting

3) Concrete to foundations 1 day prior to covering over

4) Concrete oversite (ground floor) 1 day prior to covering over

5) Damp proof course or damp proof membrane 1 day prior to
covering over

6) Foul water drainage 5 days prior to covering over

7) Surface water drainage 5 days prior to covering over

8) Occupation prior to completion 5 days prior to occupation

9) Completion of works 5 days after completion

N.B. The above list does not cover all of the notices which may be required, and the Building Control Surveyor may request notification of other stages of work, e.g.erection of steelwork, completion of roof structure, etc.

The legal requirement is for notices to be given to the authority in writing, however for convenience we accept notices via the telephone and providing the call is made before 10 a.m we will carry out an inspection the same day. In addition to this we will accept requests for inspections at other times of the day, workload permitting Please note, although we will endeavour to carry out inspections at times specifically requested, this is not always possible.

If you wish to provide notices by e-mail then you can contact us at building.control@stockton.gov.uk (please refer to Contacts section above)