Advice on Building Control

[bellsa1234]

Hi, I hired a building control firm with my architect, and decided not to go ahead with the building company associated with my architect. My new builder has asked me to change building control firms, however they seem to follow the same process and my current building control firm has confirmed with me that they are completely independent from the architect. Is this normal, for a builder to have a preferred building control firm?

What’s their reason?

Builder is probably just used to their own BC company...number in their phone, knows what they can tweak on site...BC is surprisingly a grey area.

They are concerned about the link between our architect and the building control firm we have hired. I think they just prefer to work with someone they know, but its just another 1200 pounds and the only reason is this connection. I have confirmed that there isn't any connection, the building control firm is quite a big one that seems fairly standard. I am worried if this is a red flag for the builder, or is it just quite normal that a builder wants their preferred building control person?

I think it's normal as they will have a relationship in place. It doesn't mean your builder is incapable of working with another bc officer but they might find it more inconvenient. The trades rely heavily on personal relationships and if you disrupt this you might notice it when it comes to timelines. I would go with my builders preference unless there was a red flag about that company which should surface if you look at reviews etc. Once you have a contract with the builder your most important relationship is with that builder so if you can make their life easier that is far more important that your architects preference.
Why have you paid for building control in advance? You only needed calculations signed off from the architect and they won't have done any inspections etc. Are you sure you will have to fork out an extra 1200? And I don't understand what the builder means by there being a link between the architect and the other building control firm. What do they think is going on? It's the builders work they will be inspecting and not the architects work so I would ask for them to explain their concern in more detail.

I think you want a BC firm that's independent. You want them working for you and not worried about upsetting a builder who might put lots of work their way.