The contractor has the main responsibility for carrying out the construction work professionally and competently. Their responsibilities include
1. Compliance with the Building Regulations
The contractor must ensure that the work is carried out in compliance with the Building Regulations and in accordance with the client's requirements and any other statutory requirements. Where deviations to approved plans are to be carried out, agreement should be sought from the designer, the client, and Building Control before engaging in such work.
2. Site safety
The contractor is responsible for maintaining site safety and adhering to Health and Safety Regulations.
3. Quality of work
The contractor must ensure the quality of work, using suitable materials and workmanship.
4. Notification of statutory stages
Unless the client, or the designer, has taken on this responsibility, the contractor must give adequate notice of key stages of the work to the Council to give Building Control the opportunity to inspect the work as required.
5. Seeking clarification
Where drawings or specifications are unclear, or a contractor is unsure of what is required, they should seek instruction from the designer or the client. Design advice should not be sought from Building Control. The role of the Building Control Service is to assess designs and work presented for approval for compliance with the Building Regulations. Building Control will, on request, give opinions on the interpretation of specific Building Regulations but should not be asked to offer design proposals.
