Commercial Building Control Services

✓ Registered Building Control Approver under the Building Safety Act 2022 

Independent building control services ensuring your commercial projects meet the highest regulatory standards

Enquiring about: General enquiry | Pre-planning and pre-tender consultancy | Full plan appraisal | Building control inspections | Completion certification | Building Safety Act compliance | Multi-site building control programmes

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Andy Lowe
Andy
Lowe

Major Projects Director (Technical & Training)

Bureau Veritas

The regulatory landscape has changed significantly in recent years, and our role as Building Control practitioners has never been more important. It's a hugely exciting time to be at the forefront of this sector, helping clients navigate complexity with confidence.

  • WHAT IS COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTROL?

    Building control is the regulatory process that ensures construction work complies with Building Regulations in England and Wales. For commercial projects, this encompasses everything from office developments and retail spaces to industrial facilities and mixed-use schemes.

    Under the Building Safety Act 2022, building control providers must be registered as Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs). Bureau Veritas achieved this designation in April 2024 following a rigorous audit process, valid until April 2029. This means we can deliver building control services across all building types, including higher-risk buildings (HRBs) subject to enhanced regulatory oversight.

    Commercial building control involves:

    • Pre-planning advice to identify regulatory requirements early
    • Full plan appraisal to confirm designs meet Building Regulations
    • Site inspections at critical construction stages
    • Completion certification demonstrating regulatory compliance
    • Ongoing liaison with designers, contractors, and local authorities

    Choosing an independent building control provider like Bureau Veritas gives you flexibility, expertise, and a partner focused on enabling compliant, efficient project delivery.

OUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTROL SERVICES

PRE-PLANNING AND PRE-TENDER CONSULTANCY

Early engagement with building control can unlock significant value. Our pre-planning consultancy identifies regulatory requirements, potential design risks, and opportunities for value engineering before you commit to a scheme.

FULL PLAN APPRAISAL

Our plan appraisal service provides a thorough review of your design against all applicable Building Regulations, giving you confidence that your project is compliant before construction begins.

BUILDING CONTROL INSPECTIONS

Our site inspection service ensures construction work proceeds in accordance with approved plans and Building Regulations. We provide continuous oversight, not just tick-box compliance.

COMPLETION CERTIFICATION

Final certification is the formal confirmation that your building complies with Building Regulations and is safe for occupation. Our completion process is thorough, transparent, and timely.

BUILDING SAFETY ACT COMPLIANCE

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced enhanced regulatory requirements for higher-risk buildings (HRBs) — typically residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys. We support clients through the new Gateway process.

MULTI-SITE BUILDING CONTROL PROGRAMMES

For clients managing portfolios of commercial properties or rolling out standardised developments, we provide consistent building control services across multiple sites.

SECTORS WE SERVE

Bureau Veritas delivers construction consultancy services across all major UK sectors, including:

Social Infrastructure
Higher-Risk Buildings
Infrastructure
Commercial & Industrial
Clean Energy

Education

Health

Custodial

Defense

Residential

Build-to-Rent and Student Accommodation

Super Prime and Non-HRB developments

Senior and Assisted Living

Rail

Airports

Roads and Highways

Ports and Maritime

Logistics and Manufacturing

Life Sciences and Pharma

Data Centres

Office and Commercial

Renewable Energy

Retrofit and Decarbonisation

BENEFITS OF COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTROL WITH BUREAU VERITAS

  • Ensure Full Regulatory Compliance

    Demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, the Building Safety Act 2022, and all applicable technical standards, protecting your organisation from enforcement action and reputational risk.

  • Reduce Construction Risk and Delay

    Proactive building control advice identifies compliance issues early, avoiding costly design changes, site stoppages, and programme delays during construction.

  • Achieve Value Engineering Opportunities

    Our pre-planning consultancy identifies alternative compliance routes and design efficiencies that can reduce construction costs without compromising safety or performance.

  • Benefit from Consistent, Expert Support

    Work with a dedicated building control team that understands your business, your projects, and your regulatory obligations — delivering consistency across single sites or national portfolios.

  • Access Independent, Impartial Expertise

    As a Registered Building Control Approver with no commercial interest in design or construction, we provide objective advice focused solely on compliance and safety.

  • Integrate with Wider Construction Services

    Leverage Bureau Veritas' broader capabilities in CDM consultancy, fire safety engineering, structural inspections, and RAAC surveys for a comprehensive project solution.

View our webinars

WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTROL?

Registered Building Control Approver Status

We are a Registered Building Control Approver under the Building Safety Act 2022, authorised to deliver building control services for all building types, including higher-risk buildings.

Over 20 Years of Building Control Experience

Our building control team has been supporting commercial developers, contractors, and property owners since the early 2000s, with deep sector expertise across office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use projects.

Independent, Third-Party Assurance

As a global testing, inspection, and certification provider with no design or construction interests, we deliver unbiased building control advice focused on compliance and safety.

Flexible, Client-Focused Approach

Unlike local authority building control, we are not constrained by statutory timescales. We work to your project programme, providing responsive, proactive support when you need it.

Nationwide Coverage with Local Expertise

Our network of building control surveyors operates across the UK, supported by a central planning team to ensure consistent service delivery on multi-site programmes.

Market-Leading Technology and Reporting

Access digital inspection reports, photographic records, and compliance documentation 24/7 through our online client portal, providing full transparency and audit trails.

Useful Links

Building Control Complaints Procedure

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Steve Highwood
Steve
Highwood

Director (UK Building & Infrastructure CAPEX)

Bureau Veritas

Our commercial building control services represent the perfect integration of regulatory expertise and strategic project support. We don't just ensure compliance—we partner with clients to deliver cost certainty, risk management, and sustainable outcomes across their entire building portfolio.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA)?

    Under the Building Safety Act 2022, all building control providers in England must be registered as Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs) with the Building Safety Regulator. This ensures they meet rigorous competency and quality standards. Bureau Veritas achieved RBCA status in April 2024, valid until April 2029.

  • Can I use Bureau Veritas for building control instead of the local authority?

    Yes. For most commercial projects, you have a choice between using local authority building control or a Registered Building Control Approver like Bureau Veritas. Many clients choose us for our flexibility, expertise, and ability to work to project timescales rather than statutory approval periods.

  • What is the difference between building control and CDM?

    Building control ensures compliance with Building Regulations (structural safety, fire safety, energy efficiency, etc.). CDM (Construction Design and Management) ensures compliance with health and safety regulations during construction. Bureau Veritas provides both services, and they often overlap — for example, fire safety strategies must satisfy both Building Regulations and CDM requirements.

  • Do I need building control approval for refurbishment projects?

    It depends on the scope of work. Most refurbishments involving structural alterations, changes to fire safety provisions, or new building services require building control approval. Our pre-planning consultancy can quickly establish whether your project is notifiable.

  • How does building control work for higher-risk buildings (HRBs)?

    Higher-risk buildings (typically residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys) are subject to the Building Safety Act 2022 Gateway process. This involves three Gateways: Gateway 1 (Planning), Gateway 2 (Pre-construction), and Gateway 3 (Completion). Bureau Veritas supports clients through all three stages, liaising with the Building Safety Regulator and managing the enhanced documentation and change control requirements.