What Is Needed Before a Final Certificate?
Completing building work is an important milestone, but reaching the end of construction does not automatically mean the Building Control process is complete.
Before Complete Building Control Ltd (CBC) can issue a Final Certificate, the necessary paperwork, certification and compliance information must be in order.
One important part of this process is the submission of Compliance Declarations by the relevant duty holders.
What Are Building Control Compliance Declarations?
Compliance Declarations form part of the duty holder requirements introduced through changes to the Building Regulations framework.
CBC explains on its Building Regulations guidance page that, under Regulation 18 of the Building (Registered Building Control Approvers etc.) (England) Regulations 2024, the required Compliance Declarations must be submitted before a Final Certificate can be issued.
These declarations are an important part of the documentation associated with the completion of building work.
Who Needs to Provide Compliance Declarations?
CBC identifies the relevant duty holders as:
- The Client
- The Principal Designer
- The Principal Contractor
The required declarations must be completed, signed and dated before submission.
CBC acknowledges receipt of the required declarations as part of its completion procedures.
What Happens if a Declaration Is Missing?
There may be circumstances where a client cannot obtain the necessary declaration from the Principal Designer or Principal Contractor.
CBC’s published regulatory guidance explains that, following amendments in 2025, a client may provide a statement explaining the circumstances where the required declarations cannot be obtained.
CBC must consider the statement and determine whether it can be accepted.
This is not an automatic alternative to providing the required declarations, and individual circumstances must be assessed.
Clients experiencing difficulties obtaining completion documentation should contact CBC to discuss their position.
What Else Is Considered Before a Final Certificate?
Compliance Declarations are one part of the wider completion process.
CBC’s published guidance also identifies the importance of:
- Necessary commissioning certificates
- Completion information
- Outstanding issues identified during previous site inspections
- Relevant statements and certification
- Internal checks before the Final Certificate is issued
The requirements will depend on the individual project and the information needed to demonstrate compliance.
Why Is It Important to Prepare Completion Documentation?
Building Control involves more than the examination of plans and inspections during construction.
The completion stage also requires the relevant information to be available so that outstanding matters can be considered and the project can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
Maintaining communication between the client, design team, contractor and Building Control team can help make this process more straightforward.
How Complete Building Control Can Help
Complete Building Control Ltd is a Registered Building Control Approver providing professional Building Control services for domestic and commercial projects.
CBC works with clients, architects, designers and contractors throughout the Building Control process, from plan examination and statutory consultations through to site inspections and completion.
If you are approaching completion and need information about Compliance Declarations, visit our Building Regulations guidance page.
You can also find out more about our Building Control services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Compliance Declarations required before a Final Certificate?
CBC’s published guidance explains that the required Compliance Declarations must be submitted before a Final Certificate can be issued.
Who are the relevant duty holders?
CBC identifies the Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor as duty holders.
What if I cannot obtain a declaration?
CBC’s regulatory guidance explains the circumstances in which a client may submit a statement for consideration. Acceptance is not automatic.
Does completing construction mean a Final Certificate can be issued immediately?
Not necessarily. The necessary documentation, certification, outstanding matters and internal checks must also be addressed.