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Building control officer

Alternative titles for this job include Building control surveyor, building inspector

Building control officers make sure existing buildings and new developments meet regulations, and are safe for the people who live and work in them.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

on call on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

You can do a higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

  • building studies
  • civil engineering
  • structural engineering
  • building control surveying
  • building surveying

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course, which may help when you apply for trainee jobs as an assistant in building control. 

Courses include:

  • construction and the built environment
  • building control surveying
  • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Building Control Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take around 4 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You may be able to move into building control if you have qualifications and extensive experience in a related area, such as construction management, structural or civil engineering, or surveying.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You could join a professional body to help with your career development. These include:

Membership of a professional body may also be a requirement laid down by employers when advertising jobs.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in building control from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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

Working environment

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and at height.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and 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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a building control officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Construction and the Built Environment Level 3

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: Birmingham

HNC Quantity Surveying

  • Provider: MID-KENT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Maidstone
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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