Stage Payments
Upon the receiving of a grant of planning permission the next step in the building process is to actually start building your property, whereby 99% of people obtain a mortgage from lending institutions. As a condition to the lending of this money to build the property the lending institutions will require that periodic inspections of the works have to be carried out by certified indemnified professionals, on the works during each stage of the building process and whereby a “Stage Payment Certificate” can then be issued requesting the release of a set financial figure reflecting the value of work completed upon the property.
A stage payment certificate will only be issued when we are satisfied that the works are in compliance with the grant of planning permission and Building Regulation standards.
Upon being commissioned by a client we require all necessary plans that were used to grant planning permission, a copy of the grant of planning permission, a copy of site location map and contact details of the lending institution and official you are conducting your business with. We then proceed to draft all documentation and particulars and forward same to the relevant lending institution whereby an agreed interval financial payment programme is proposed to as to clarify financial drawdown sums at each relevant stage of the building works.
Usually around 4-5 stage payment certificates will be required during the build.
Inspection of Works
In order for Planning & Development Services to issue stage payment certificates for a property we carry out regular site inspections of the construction works to certify its compliance with both Planning regulations and Building regulations.
Once satisfied with the works carried out a stage payment certificate will duly be prepared and submitted to the client’s lending institution or solicitor.
We keep the client regularly briefed on all aspects of the building programme during construction and will assist them also in regular site visits to inspect the works to their approval.
Our service includes the following:
- Complete a “Commencement Notice” for the development so as to give sufficient notice to the Local Authority of the date to intend to start works on-site
- Inspection of plans prior to construction of dwelling to verify its structural integrity & to identify possible problem areas to be resolved
- Upon commencement of groundwork’s and prior to foundation digging we will inspect the ground conditions to establish most suitable foundation type to be constructed, either strip, raft or piling
- Re-visit site to check recommendations agreed were adhered to by contactor and verify if all necessary steelwork, propping and tying were carried out satisfactory
- Carry out inspection of rising walls, adequately and type of floor filling used, radon sumps, barrier jointing and lapping, floor insulation and floor thickness
- Periodic inspections carried out of workmanship regarding blockwork, flooring, roofing, partitioning, insulation, ventilation, windows and doors, accessibility, plastering and finishes, wells, wastewater treatment systems and overall completion of works.
Prior to each trade contractor commencing their work on the project we recommend that they contact our office directly so as we can discuss construction details i.e. methods and sizing of materials, with them now and resolve any problems areas that may be identified now in advance as opposed to possibly rectifying defects at a later stage when works are completed. In this way the client obtains a more efficient construction process.
Certificate of Compliance
This is a document which confirms a buildings compliance with the grant of planning permission, Building Regulations and Fire Regulations.
Upon completion of a property a final inspection shall be carried out on the works, this entails carrying out a thorough visual survey of the property to verify its compliance with planning permission drawings and building regulations.
This document certifies the buildings absolute compliance and is needed to drawdown the last stage payment certificate to the lending institutions, to sell the property and for property title purposes.
Certificate of Exemption
We can issue certain existing structures with a “Certificate of Exemption” which certifies the works carried out as being exempted from benefiting from planning permission, subject to certain conditions.
The exemption regulations in place encompasses a wide range of development types including:
- Domestic Extensions
- Porches
- Domestic Garages/Stores
- Agricultural
- Site Services
These “Exemption Certificates” are particularly utilised by clients and solicitors when a property is proposed to be sold and whereby planning matters pertaining to a property have to be brought into compliance.
Once consulted by our clients we agree to conduct a site visit of the property, carry out a brief survey of all existing structures, and if works are within the tolerances and guidelines recommended by the planning regulations we can issue the client or their solicitor with an “Exemption Certificate” for the works, with the need to submit a planning application to the local authority.
Call to our offices for a free consultation where we will be glad to offer you advice and assist you in any matter you may have.
Map Certification
Planning & Development Services provides a service where we certify maps for clients or their solicitors, certifying area land checks, boundary outline, right of ways and way leaves.