Value of Building Control Reg route

shianto

Folks,

I understand that most people who can opt-out of going the formal Building Control Regulation Route, but I would be very interest to get views on the following:

I am using a QS and architect and run a tender, but in order to ensure greater price we are discussing going the blue form route. I acknowledge that this could lead to higher pricing, but greater price certainty.

Is that just stupid or is there merit here? Any pros/cons would be welcomed.

Metric Tensor

The form of contract being used (blue form, yellow form, with/without quantities) has absolutely no bearing on the Building Control Regulations opt-in or out. Two completely separate things with the only overlap being that if you "opt in" the "architect" on your form of contract will also most likely be your Assigned Certifier.

The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations - BCAR for short - is a process of certification and inspection of the building as it is being constructed which is lodged with the building control authority.

The form of contract (e.g. the blue form you are suggesting) is the legal agreement between you and the contractor building your building - payments, duties, insurance requirements, role of your representative, etc.

BryanF

By blue form you mean the riai form without quantities? This is where in the absence of a ‘bill of quantities’ a Contractor measures form drawings, so anything shown on a detailed set of construction drawings & speciication/scope of work, is deemed to be included.

Opting ‘in’ to the building control regs means an increased paper excerise/ reporting and in theory supervision on site - For a small builder it means a lot more paper work than they had to do up until now and more cost as they must stick exactly to spec (without approval from the design certifier) - every material used must be accounted for with data sheets and certs of conformance provided along with signatures that everything has been built in accordance with the design drawings.

Your arch/ Qs should (have or will when you ask,) explain that there is significant costs to them and the builder and opting out should IMO still hold the principles of professionalism from all parties including builder who is signing a legal document (blue or other) RIAI form

shianto

Thanks Gents much appreciated.