We are still open for business but have had to introduce some changes to our service and the way we interact with customers to protect both you and our employees.
As the coronavirus outbreak develops across the UK, we will continue to provide you with a first-rate service, whilst also ensuring safety at all times.
LABC guidance
Based on guidance from the LABC there are some changes which will need to be put into place around site visits. These are designed to keep you, your staff and colleagues safe – whilst trying to minimise the impact coronavirus has on your business.
Change to our site inspection service
We recognise the need to balance service delivery with reduced personal contact but we will continue to undertake the majority of site inspections. Some site inspections may be carried out virtually. In these instances we will be asking you to provide suitable photographic evidence and any other relevant details and information. Once these have submitted to our team we will then contact you to advise if we need any further details or if you are okay to continue with your project. Our aim is to when possible continue with next working day site inspections, but still protect the public and our employees. This guidance will be subject to change dependent on government guidance and local restrictions.
Here are some examples, though the list is not exhaustive:
- Commencement – please notify us when you commence your project
- Foundations – on site visit
- DPC – will be undertaken in conjunction with other site visits at the property
- Drainage – external by on site visit (internal - contact our department to discuss)
- Floor preparation (oversite) – external by on site visit (internal - contact our department to discuss)
- Structural works – external by on site visit (internal - contact our department to discuss)
- Insulation works – contact our department to discuss
- Completions – we will discuss this with you in the first instance
- General advice – all information can be submitted remotely to our department and we will contact you to further discuss your enquiry
Pre-visit safety
When booking a site inspection, we will ask you to confirm the following:
- If anyone at the site (property owner or builder) to be visited has been ill and displaying the coronavirus symptoms: a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- If anyone at the site (property owner or builder) has travelled from any other country within the last 3 weeks
- Could the inspection be carried out in the absence of the builder / homeowner if necessary?
- Will there be vulnerable people on the premises?
If anyone at the site is ill or has visited those countries, we will seek to delay our visit for a fortnight. If there are vulnerable people on the premises, a discussion will need to be had with the premises owner/manager to determine the best way to proceed in the circumstances. As with all inspections, a risk-based approach will need to be taken, in the interests of personal and public safety.
Should the current guidance change, we will let you know as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us should you wish to discuss any specific points raised.
Reduce mail handling
Wherever possible, we’d be grateful if you could email us in preference to sending paperwork via post. This will reduce the risk to everyone, including our postal workers.
