Who’s responsible for the completion

What is a completion certificate?

When a building warrant has been approved and the works have been completed, then a completion certificate application should be applied for by the relevant person. The completion certificate is to confirm that what has been constructed, demolished or converted was carried out as per the approved building warrant.

Who's responsible for submitting a completion certificate?

The relevant person must submit the completion certificate, which is either the owner, tenant or developer, however typically the Architect is left to do this for the client, even though it is not their responsibility. 

Many people think that the Architect is responsible for the completion certificate, however as the relevant person you are responsible for making sure the work is completed as per the approved building warrant.

What is required for a completion certificate?

Information that is typically required for completion is any electrical, gas or truss certificates. The local authority will also normally ask for photographs of insulation, steelwork, foundations etc if the contractor/client has not informed them at the stages set out in the CCNP (Construction Compliance Notification Plan).

 

The Local Authority must accept a Completion Certificate if, after making reasonable inquiries, they are satisfied that the work or conversion meets the relevant Building Warrant and building regulations. If the work or conversion does not meet the building regulations, or is not carried out in line with the Building Warrant, the Local Authority will reject the Completion Certificate, which means you need to provide them the evidence they have requested.

If you want to find out more then the below link is a pdf document explaining who is responsible and what is required for a completion certificate.

https://www.edevelopment.scot/eDevelopmentClient/StaticFiles/eDevelopment-eBStds_Form_Help_Guides-Completion_Certificate.pdf

Different stages of planning permission and/or building warrant in Scotland

 Different stages of planning permission and/or building warrants in Scotland

You don’t always need planning permission and a building warrant, however 9 out of 10 construction projects may require at least one of them if you plan on doing alterations/construction works to your home.

Find out here if your project is exempt from a building warrant.

 

Most architects will meet the client to discuss their project and take a brief (description of the works). This is when the architect starts to sketch basic designs of what the client is hoping to achieve.

 

Once the client is happy with the sketch proposals, the architect will produce more detailed plans and also be able to confirm if planning permission is required.

 

The architect/technician will apply for the permissions with the local authority and will be the main contact between client, structural engineer, local authority and eventually the contractor.

The Local Authority Planning or building standards department will vet the plans to check they comply with planning legislation/building regulations, they will then either ask for additional information/approve the plans. Once approved, the council will provide a compliance plan (CCNP), that states the stages you/contractor need to contact the council for inspections such as, 7 days of starting the works, foundations, drainage and timber kit with insulation before plasterboard.

After the plans are approved, your contractor can start the works.

After all works are complete, then the client should apply for the completion certificate (sometimes the Architect can do this for a small fee). When applying for the completion certificate, the local authority will normally require electrical certificates, gas certificates and truss certificates before they will release the completion certificate.

Have a look at our other blog regarding when to hire an Architect.

https://architecturalservicesandproducts.blogspot.com/2023/02/hiring-architect-and-when-to-appoint.html