The foundations were ready, but nobody booked Building Control

The project

Sarah appoints Carter & Sons for a rear extension. An architect prepared the planning and Building Regulations drawings. The architect submitted the application but was not appointed for construction-stage services.

The quotation says:

Groundworks and foundations complete in accordance with engineer's information and Building Regulations.

The programme shows a Friday concrete pour.

What each person believes

Sarah believes Carter & Sons will arrange inspections because they control the site.

Carter & Sons believe the architect is dealing with Building Control because the architect submitted the application.

The architect believes its service ended after responding to the plan-check comments.

Building Control has not been notified that the excavation is ready.

Thursday afternoon

The reinforcement is in. The concrete is booked. Carter & Sons asks Sarah for the inspection result. Sarah calls the architect. The architect explains that no site-inspection service was included.

The next available inspection is Monday.

The immediate pressures

The contractor faces:

• concrete cancellation or rebooking;
• labour standing time;
• an exposed excavation over the weekend;
• possible weather damage;
• movement of the following trades.

The customer faces:

• a delay she did not expect;
• a possible extra-cost claim;
• uncertainty about whether the work can proceed;
• fear that the builder and architect are blaming each other.

The architect faces:

• pressure to perform an unappointed service;
• possible criticism for not explaining the appointment boundary;
• a request for urgent coordination.

What the project should have recorded

| Responsibility element | Clear project record | | --- | --- | | Required action | Request foundation inspection before concrete pour | | Accountable party | Carter & Sons under the agreed project administration | | Action owner | Named site lead | | Due point | Minimum notice required by the building-control body, before concrete booking becomes non-cancellable | | Inputs | Excavation, reinforcement and engineer information ready | | Evidence | Booking confirmation and inspection outcome | | Authority | Site lead may arrange timing; commercial consequences follow the change process | | Customer contribution | Provide property access and any customer-held application reference | | Professional contribution | Respond to technical questions only within the architect's appointment |

The exact allocation could have been different. Clarity matters more than copying this example.

A constructive resolution

The parties record the missed responsibility as a project event without immediately deciding fault.

Carter & Sons:

• cancels the concrete before the supplier's charge deadline;
• protects the excavation;
• moves suitable work forward;
• records the revised inspection and pour dates;
• identifies the actual additional cost, if any.

Sarah provides the application details and confirms Monday access.

The architect answers one defined technical query under an agreed additional service, if required.

The parties then decide any price or programme adjustment using the contract and evidence.