Thames Water (dependant on location) Build Over Agreement (required if building over or within 3m of a Thames Water Sewer)
Home Insurance: Notify your Home Insurer to inform them that you are having building work carried out and ensure their cover will remain.
Planning Permission or Certificate of Lawful Development and or Listed Building Consent
Are all Pre-commencement Planning Conditions discharged?
Are all Building Regulations Conditions discharged or highlighted to the Contractor to discharge on-site?
Enter into a Contract with your chosen builder and ensure it includes the following:
Contract Sum (don't forget to be clear on VAT)
Responsibilities: Ideally your chosen Contractor will be responsible for all their and their sub-contractors work including providing Certificates etc.
Payment schedule (monthly, bi-weekly, by Building Regulations stages).
Deposit (is a deposit amount required at commencement to buy materials etc to kickstart the project?).
Agree on a timescale.
If the Architect is not appointed to administer the Contract between you and the builder, ensure the builder is noted as the Principal Designer (under CDM (2015): Health & Safety) in the Contract. They would act as the Principal Designer from when works commences on site.
List Contract Documents:
Architect drawings and construction specification (ensure you have the current versions/revisions noted).
Structural Engineer drawings, specification & calculations (ensure you have the current versions/revisions noted).
Thames Water Build Over Agreement & Specification (if required)
Building Regulation Conditions listed in the contract if the Builder needs to discharge them (for example providing Beam & Block design from their supplier).
Ensure Builder's Insurance is in place and amount/type noted in the Contract. Their insurance cover should include:
All Risks Insurance Cover
Public Liability
Employers Liability
Professional Indemnity Insurances (only required if they are providing some Design element).
Structural Warranty (only applicable for New Dwellings)
Include and reference Planning permission..
Include any PC Sums (Prime Cost items, a PC Sum includes an estimate of items included in the Contractor's Quote, for example, an allowance for supply of tiling or a kitchen).
Items to check you have before paying Builder final amount:
Do not pay final amount until Building Regulations Completion Certificate is obtained.
Warranty for Flat roof
Fensa Certificate with Windows & Doors
Electric Certificate
Gas Safe Certificate for Boiler work
Services are all working (check heating, water pressure, underfloor heating etc)