What happens if work fails an inspection?

Failing an inspection is not unusual and does not mean the project has failed. It simply means something needs to be corrected before work continues or is covered up.

If the work does not meet the Building Regulations, the Building Control Inspector will:

• Explain what does not comply
• Explain why it does not meet the regulations
• Explain what needs to be changed or corrected

We cannot provide specific design solutions, so you may need to speak to a designer or engineer.

In many cases, this will be explained verbally on site, with a site inspection record emailed as a summary.

If the issue affects safety or compliance:

• That stage of work must not be covered up
• Further work in that area may need to pause until corrections are made

Other unrelated work on site may still continue, depending on the issue.

The person carrying out the work (usually the builder) is responsible for:

• Making the required changes
• Bringing the work back into compliance with the Building Regulations

There is no penalty for failing an inspection itself — the focus is on achieving compliance.

Once the issue has been corrected:

• Building Control must be notified again
• The inspector will revisit or may accept photographic evidence in some cases

Only once the work passes inspection can it be covered up or progressed.

If work is:

• Not inspected at the correct stage, or
• Covered up before inspection

Building Control can:

• Ask for the work to be opened up
• Request additional evidence or testing
• Delay or refuse the Completion Certificate until satisfied

In unusual cases where work continues without correction:

• The local authority has powers to take formal enforcement action
• This may include requiring work to be altered or removed

This is rare and normally only occurs where issues are ignored or notices are repeatedly not followed.