The Building control completion certificate — what it proves and what to do without one

The short answer: certificates turn "I think the work was bad" into "the work skipped its legal compliance step". Check the official register for the tradesperson, order replacements where possible, and treat a missing certificate as evidence in your dispute.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03

Structural work, extensions, loft conversions and drainage need booked building-control inspections and a completion certificate at the end. No certificate = the work was never signed off: your house may be harder to sell and the omission itself evidences the builder's breach. Apply for the record from your local authority building control or approved inspector.

Check the register

Building control completion certificate — official register (verified 2026-09-03).

In a dispute

Attach certificates (or note their absence) in your letter before action and witness statement. At sale time, missing certificates cost real money — that diminution is claimable: schedule of loss.

Independent information directory — not legal advice.

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This page is general information, not legal advice.

Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.