Building control officer
Building control officers make sure existing buildings and new developments meet regulations, and are safe for the people who live and work in them.
Typical Salary
£26,000 – £55,000
per year
Working Hours
38–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a building control officer, you'll:
- assess construction plans and carry out site inspections
- advise building owners and the public on Building Regulations
- work closely with architects, builders and engineers
- check that projects meet design, safety, energy conservation and accessibility standards
- carry out enforcement actions where required
- survey unsafe buildings and advise on remedial work or demolition
- maintain accurate records of issues and decisions taken
Skills needed
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- knowledge of public safety and security
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Career progression
With experience, you could become a senior building control officer and lead a dedicated team.
You might specialise in a particular area of regulation, for example:
- fire risk assessment
- sustainability
- construction design
You may find further opportunities to move into related fields, like town planning, with local authorities.
You could also work as a self-employed consultant.