Spatial Planning
Development House
Lombard Street
West Bromwich
B70 8RU

Tel: 0121 569 4054/4055
Fax: 0121 569 4140
Email: building_consultancy@sandwell.gov.uk
Office Opening Hours:

• Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.30pm
• Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

Welcome to Building Consultancy

Thank you for visiting these pages. We are determined to provide you with the very best in Building Control and Associated services. Whether you are a large developer undertaking a multi-million pound project or a homeowner carrying out alterations to your home, we are totally committed to assist you in any way we can.

The level of service you will receive from the Local Authority will not be found in any competative private Building Control Service. We have the advantage of local knowledge backed with a comprehensive background of historical records which will help you avoid hidden problems on your project. We encourage pre-application discussions based on prevention rather than cure so getting it right first time saves your time, reputation and money in the long term.

By selecting one of the items from the list below or on the left hand navigation bar, you can find out further information:-

• Building Control
• Dangerous Buildings and Structure
• Demolition
• Safety at Sports Grounds
• Scaffold and Hoarding

Important Information for Homeowners

Your choice of builder is the single most influential decision that you will make.  It will allow you to have pride and satisfaction in the work that you have just had carried out, or I will reduce you to tears and cause you inordinate stress and expense.

There are very good builders operating within Sandwell, and there are some not so good builders operating within Sandwell.

Try and ensure that you employ a good builder who is capable of producing a respectable product.  Take advice from friends and relatives on projects that they have had carried out, ask to see examples of work that a chosen builder has previously been responsible for, talk to the building owners, ask them if they would employ the same builder again.  Ensure that you know who you are dealing with, insist upon having written estimates and ensure you have the builders full name and address, not just a mobile telephone number.

Contact Tradewell in Sandwell, the Tradewell team are available on 0845 359 7522 or visit www.traderegister.org.uk

Other organisations who can supply information and assistance:-

Trustmark www.trustmark.org.uk/
Or telephone  01344 630 804

The Chartered Institute of Building www.ciob.org.uk/home
Or telephone  01344 630 700

The Federation of Master Builders www.fmb.org.uk/

The National Federation of Roofers www.nfrc.co.uk/

The National Federation of Builders www.builders.org.uk/

Building Control Officers cannot arbitrate with your builder on your behalf, they cannot project manage your work or enforce your contract, they are to advise on how the Building Regulations are being complied with.  Building Regulations are National minimum standards that you have a legal duty to comply with.

Please ensure that you have a written contract with your builder.  An example is available that is produced by the Joint Contracts Tribunal specifically for small building contracts where professional advisors are not employed by the client, www.jctcontracts.com

A wrong choice of builder can cost you dearly, and may increase the number of inspections necessary on your project that may incur additional costs.

At the end of the day the choice of builder and the responsibility for the work that he carried out is yours, both in legal and financial terms.  The Council cannot be held responsible for your decision and your builders poor workmanship.

Contract specifically for homeowners from Joint Contracts Tribunal

You are strongly advised to use a Building Contract when undertaking any building work. Unfortunately, even with the careful choice of contractor things can go wrong. A contract will help identify exactly what is expected from both parties and the terms and conditions which will apply.

The Joint Contracts Tribunal Limited have written a suitable contract for use by a homeowner or occupier who has not appointed a consultant to oversee the work. It is written in plain english, easy to understand and without the use of any legal or technical jargon.

We have a specimen contract for you to view but if you wish for a full copy, this contract is available from bookshops; please visit www.jctcontracts.com for a list of stockists.

What's new in Building Consultancy?

New legal requirement - site waste management plan

Produce and implement a site waste management plan - Free Guide

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) provides details of how waste will be handled and disposed of at all stages during a construction project. It should help to encourage efficient use of materials and resources, improve management of waste, cut costs and reduce fly-tipping. SWMPs are now a legal requirement for all projects costing more than £300,000 in England.

This guide explains how to prepare an SWMP and how to put it into action. It describes what the SWMP should contain, how to identify waste and what the options are for reducing and managing it.

Take a look at the free guide for further information.

LABC Technical Updates

Part G & CPS Amendments
Approved Document available NOW!!

A Statutory Instrument (SI) amending Parts L, F and J of the building regulations (Conservation of fuel and power, Means of ventilation and Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) was laid on Friday 12th March 2010 for the regulations to take effect from October 2010. The relevant Approved Documents should be available shortly.

This S.I. also makes changes to the Building Regulations Competent Persons Schemes (CPSs) and minor technical amendments to Part G of the Building Regulations. Part G 2010 and CPS amendments will take effect on 6 April 2010. The 2010 version of the Approved Document can be downloaded via this link to the Planning Portal.

You will also find on this page an explanation of the changes between the 2009 draft and the now published version of Part G 2010.

LABC New Home Warranty

The LABC New Home Warranty is a quality service offering specific competitive products for speculative residential housing, social housing and self build.

The LABC New Home Warranty scheme has been created in partnership between LABC, the representative body for Local Authority Building Control, and MD Insurance Services Limited (MDIS) the company that administers the scheme which is regulated by the Financial Services Authroty (FSA).

1. LABC New Home Warranty

This caters for speculative developers and builders covering conversions, new build and mixed use developments. The product recognises and rewards qualty projects with competitive premiums and market-leading terms. Service and support is fact and seamless because of MDIS's experienced, dedicated customer team.

2. LABC Socal Housing Warranty

A competitive tailored solution covering shared-ownership, rented or key worker accommodation projects. Quality is rewarded with the same advantages given to speculative developers. Cover can be provided for either a 10 or 12 year period.

3. LABC Self Build Warranty

Designed specifically for individuals building their own homes - both new build and conversions - to provide peace of mind. Quality is rewarded through competitive premiums an excellent service based on MDIS's extensive experience of self build projects.

How to get a quotation

Either:

Telephone 0845 054 0505,
E-mail enquiries@labcnewhomewarranty.co.uk or
Download an application form from www.labcnewhomewarranty.co.uk

LABC Latent Gold Commercial Building Defects Guarantee:

LABC Latent Gold is a structural defects insurance for commercial buildings up to £15 million in value and by arrangement for buildings valued over £15 million. It is delivered by LABC via local authority building control departments in partnership with Oval Insurance Broking, with Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (Allianz) as underwriters.

LABC Latent Gold provides a low cost way to avoid the high risks and legal complexities associated with collateral warranties.

Most commercial properties are covered--offices, hotels, restaurants, factories, warehouses, surgeries, schools, shops, sports stadiums and many more.

Developers, owners, tenants and other users/occupiers are all insured.

The combined cost of LABC Building Control and LABC Latent Gold will almost always be less than is obtainable from any other provider.

To find out more or obtain a quotation, please contact the LABC Latent Gold Team at:

LABC Latent Gold Enquiries
Oval Insurance Broking Limited
Tel: 0845 075 3530
Email: enquiries@labclatentgold.co.uk
Web: www.labclatentgold.co.uk

The Smoke-Free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations

"Smoking Shelters" - The Building Regulations Perspective