What Does a Building Control Officer Do?

A building control officer is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of building and construction projects are compliant with local regulations and building codes. He or she should be familiar with all regulations related to concerns such as public health, safety, and security. A building control officer also can help construction professionals to use equipment and processes that are cost effective. In many cases, building control officers also are familiar with methods and technological developments that help builders and homeowners to be more environmentally friendly.

Building control officers often have undergraduate educations in fields such as engineering and construction management. While many of them might have graduate degrees, it is more important that aspiring building control officers have professional certification. A building control officer needs to be familiar with all regulations and laws related to construction projects, so it is essential that he or she takes necessary courses and passes official proficiency exams. Some officers may specialize in working in certain facets of the building and construction industry, such as in property development, contract negotiation, or building inspection.

At the start of a construction project, a building control officer might begin by researching codes and regulations related to building plans. Once he or she is sure that all plans are compliant, he or she then can seek permission for building. At this stage, a building control officer either might be a public employee or a contract worker hired to streamline permission processes.

It also is common for a building control officer to oversee a project as work is being performed. He or she might inspect equipment and observe practices of construction workers. An officer also might check to see that work is being completed in accordance with approved plans.

There are times when a building control officer might note problems arising during a building project. For example, he or she might observe safety hazards or constructions not compliant with building codes that originally had been overlooked. When this occurs, officers are generally obligated to involve legal professionals, since such prolems could cause a project to be stopped, resulting in a loss of money.

Another common function of a building control officer is to advise construction professionals how to complete projects in the most cost effective ways possible. Cost effective methods are often energy efficient methods, too. Officers might understand which equipment to use to perform certain jobs and how best to plan construction projects for the smallest degree of waste.