Building control surveyors check that building work meets the Building Regulations, so that buildings are safe, accessible and energy efficient. Since the Building Safety Act 2022, the profession has changed more than at any time in decades: anyone working as a building inspector in England or Wales now has to be registered, and competence is formally assessed. This guide explains how the new system works and how to get into it.
The rules are still settling in, and details such as fees, assessment providers and guidance are updated from time to time. Check the Building Safety Regulator's current guidance on GOV.UK (and GOV.WALES in Wales) before you make decisions.
What building control surveyors do
- Checking plans: assessing drawings and specifications against the Building Regulations before work starts, covering structure, fire safety, drainage, insulation, ventilation and access.
- Site inspections: visiting at key stages, from foundations to completion, to check the work matches the approved plans and the Regulations.
- Advice: helping designers, builders and homeowners get things right first time.
- Completion: issuing completion certificates when the work is done properly.
- Enforcement and dangerous structures: in councils, dealing with unauthorised work and responding to dangerous buildings, sometimes out of hours.
The Building Safety Act and registration
The Building Safety Act 2022 followed the Grenfell Tower fire and set up the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Among other things, it created a register of building inspectors. Since 6 April 2024 it has been a criminal offence to work as a building inspector in England or Wales without being registered, whether you work for a council or the private sector.
Each Registered Building Inspector (RBI) is registered at a class, which sets what they can do without supervision:
- Class 1: trainees and people new to the profession. They must work under the supervision of a suitably competent RBI, and no competence assessment is needed.
- Class 2: can work unsupervised on building categories A to F. This excludes higher-risk buildings and non-standard buildings, apart from some permitted work on existing higher-risk buildings in England.
- Class 3: can work unsupervised on categories A to H, including higher-risk and more complex buildings.
- Class 4: a technical manager, who is also registered at class 2 or 3 and takes responsibility for the technical management of building control work.
Classes 2 and 3 need a competence assessment through one of the schemes approved by the BSR, against the building inspector competence framework. The assessment usually involves a portfolio of evidence and an exam or interview. Registration normally lasts four years, and inspectors must be reassessed at least every four years, keep their skills up to date and follow the code of conduct. Wales has its own competence framework, code of conduct and register.
Councils vs registered building control approvers
There are two kinds of building control body:
Local authority building control
Every council provides a building control service. Council surveyors handle a wide range of work, from house extensions to large commercial schemes, as well as enforcement and dangerous structures. Many councils have struggled to fill posts, and some offer training places for people new to the profession.
Registered building control approvers
The private sector alternative. Under the new system, the firms previously known as approved inspectors must register with the BSR as registered building control approvers (RBCAs). Their surveyors must be RBIs too. Private firms often focus on commercial and larger residential schemes, and work for developers and contractors across the country.
Higher-risk buildings
In England, the BSR itself is the building control authority for higher-risk buildings, broadly blocks of at least 18 metres or seven storeys with at least two homes, and certain care homes and hospitals. This work needs experienced class 3 inspectors, and the BSR works with councils and private firms to deliver it.
Routes in
- Trainee posts: councils and private firms take on trainees, who register as class 1 and work towards a competence assessment while they learn on the job.
- Apprenticeships: building control apprenticeships, including degree apprenticeships, combine paid work with study.
- Degrees: degrees in building control, building surveying or construction give a strong base. Building surveyors often move into building control.
- From construction: people with experience as site managers, architectural technologists or clerks of works can move across, usually starting as trainees.
Many building control surveyors also join a professional body: CABE (the Chartered Association of Building Engineers), RICS through its Building Control pathway (see the RICS APC explained) or CIOB. Membership is separate from BSR registration, and does not replace it.
Skills that matter
- A detailed knowledge of the Building Regulations and Approved Documents, and of construction.
- Confidence on site and the judgement to say no when work is not right.
- Clear written records and reports.
- Tact: you are often explaining unwelcome news to builders and owners.
- A full driving licence for most roles.
Career path and pay
A typical path runs from Trainee to Building Control Surveyor, Senior and Principal, then Team Leader, Manager and Head of Building Control in councils, or Associate and Director at a private firm. Higher-risk building competence (class 3) and technical management (class 4) are increasingly valued.
- Trainee: £25,000 to £35,000
- Building control surveyor: £31,000 to £46,000
- Senior: £40,000 to £64,000
- Principal: £48,000 to £75,000
- Team leader: £50,000 to £75,000
Council posts sometimes add a market supplement where they are hard to fill. See our surveying salary guide for more.
Find building control jobs
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