VELUX windows are known for their quality and innovation, making them stand out in both looks and performance. However, even installing VELUX windows is subject to scrutiny under building regulations. To keep up with the fast world of construction and building rules in the UK, being well-informed...

What do the New 2023 Building Regulations Mean for Building Developers? Making sure you stay up to date with the latest regulations on building development is important to ensure that your projects are fully compliant with government regulations. This leads to more sustainable buildings, better living conditions...

What are the Differences between English and Welsh Building Regulations? In 2011, the powers on Building Regulations in Wales were devolved to their local authorities. This has meant, since then, a number of regulatory differences between English Building Regulations and Welsh Building Regulations have occurred. Navigating these...

Who is Responsible for Building Regulations in the UK? Making sure your building meets regulations is imperative. Not only does this ensure you meet all legal requirements, but it also keeps the safety and standards of your projects and buildings kept at a high level. Cook Brown...

Meet our London Surveying Team   Our team of technical experts have extensive experience in all types of construction projects. They provide a pro-active approach to compliance and can work directly with the design team and contractors to ensure a non-bureaucratic, hassle-free Building Control Service. We have...

Proud sponsors of an Elephant Pump in Africa   Here, at Cook Brown, we are aware that keeping our team hydrated will aid them to perform at their very best throughout the work day. As a result, we decided to invest in watercoolers from AquAid. Our unique...

When Do You Need a Building Inspector? Building inspectors are important for safety, quality, and compliance. It’s therefore crucial to understand what a building inspector does, the perks of using a building inspector, and the key stages of a project they can help with. This article from...

Introducing our Specialist Projects Team   Our Specialist Projects Team provide Building Regulations and Inspection support to duty-holders (Investors, Developers, Constructors, Fire Engineers, Project Managers, Architects and Landlords), that satisfy the new Building Safety Regulatory changes. The team have many years’ experience providing Building Control Approved Inspector...

What is Permitted Development in the UK? For most types of construction work in the UK, planning permission is required for the local authorities to manage and regulate different aspects of building work. Planning permission also helps protect buildings and areas which need to be conserved. Some...

Building inspections play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and integrity of structures, whether it’s a residential property, commercial building, or construction project. These inspections involve a thorough examination of the property by a qualified building inspector to identify any potential issues and ensure all work...

Get to know – Andy Wilkes (Associate Director)   Tell us about your experience, have you always been in Building Control, if not how did you get into it? “Not at all! My first job was as a butcher which was a great grounding for customer service...

Get to know – David Hartill (Operations Director)   Tell us about your experience, have you always been in Building Control, if not how did you get into it? “From secondary school days, I always wanted to be a building surveyor and left school after GCSE’s to...

Get to know – Steve Lucking (Operations Director)   Tell us about your experience, have you always been in Building Control, if not how did you get into it? “From my teen years, I used to help out a local builder during school holidays. I was intrigued...

Get to know – Dave Allen (Building Control Director)   Tell us about your work experience, have you always been in Building Control, if not how did you get into it? “I started my career in building control in 1985 after dropping out of a Planning Degree...

Whether you’re building a new house or making important renovations to a building then you’ll need a completion certificate to confirm the building work has been done to the right standard. The process of getting a completion certificate requires a competent and reliable building control professional surveyor...

What is an Approved Inspector? In the UK, most construction projects and building work is required to comply with the Building Regulations — the legal minimum standards for design, construction and alterations developed by Government. This approval is needed to ensure that any new construction work, alterations...

What is the Importance of Building Inspections for Apartments? Ensuring the work completed on apartment blocks is of the upmost importance for its residents. Due to the nature of high-rise buildings special considerations need to be taken into account for the safety of the inhabitants before it...

Kane to take on National 3 Peaks and Yorkshire 3 Peaks in 48 hours Kane Loughton, Building Control Surveyor for Cook Brown Building Control is set to take on a difficult challenge this spring in aid of Bradford Inclusive Disability Service (B.I.D.S). Kane’s little brother Joel sadly...

Meet your local area Surveyor: Bristol   Last but not least, we have reached the office where Cook Brown Building Control first started trading from, Bristol. Fourth in our series of getting to know our South West Surveyors is, Richard Ferris. Richard joined Cook Brown in 2015...

10 Top Tips for Planning an Extension to Your Home Extensions are a great way to maximise space. It is one of the biggest investments most people make so planning your extension thoroughly can save you serious pennies, not to mention ensure you have exactly what you...

Meet your local area Surveyor: Bath   Third in our series of getting to know our South West Surveyors is, Paul Stevens. Moving up through Devon and Somerset, next we’re heading slightly more North East to Bath. We asked Paul a few questions about his background, his...

Meet your local area Surveyor: Somerset   Moving our way up through Devon towards Somerset, we would like to introduce to you Alistair Clark who covers the Somerset and Dorset region. Find out more about Alistair’s typical working day, his work background and his project experience below...

Meet your local area Surveyor: Plymouth   First in the series of getting to know our South West Surveyors is Chris Maslen. Chris is based in our Plymouth office, covering here and the surrounding area. We asked him some questions to find out more about his work...

Spotlight on the South West! Meet your local area Surveyor   Cook Brown Building Control operate nationally across England and Wales, including a large presence in the South West of England. In this area we have 18 Building Control Surveyors that cover all areas from Bristol and...

Energy Innovation Award Nominations Now Open   We are excited to have launched the last Cook Brown Award of 2022: Energy Innovation Award. The aim of this award is to recognise and reward a project and team that have emonstrated innovative practices and design skills that incorporates...

Design Excellence Award Shortlist Announced! We are excited to be announcing the 2022 shortlist for our Design Excellence Award. The aim of this award is to recognise and reward a project and team that have demonstrated innovative design skills whilst incorporating sustainable features. We want to show...

Getting to know our new Associate Director, Andrew Wilkes   Andrew Wilkes joined us in May as a new Associate Director. Andrew has an extensive career in Building Control and has a lot of ideas and knowledge to bring to the team. We caught up with Andrew...

To conclude Women in Construction Week we would like to introduce to you Jayne Hall from Cook Brown Building Control. Jayne has had an established career with South Gloucestershire Council where she managed the Built Environment Enforcement Service, looking after the Building Control, Planning Enforcement, Environmental Enforcement...

Jayne is joining the team at Cook Brown Building Control from her established career with South Gloucestershire Council where she managed the Built Environment Enforcement Service, looking after the Building Control, Planning Enforcement, Environmental Enforcement and Envirocrime functions. She is the immediate Past President of the Chartered...

Adam Etheridge, a Building Control Surveyor from our Tewkesbury office, gives an insight into what a normal working day looks like for him. As an Approved Inspector, we provide independent advice on Building Regulation compliance from the design stage through to the completion. Our professionally qualified Building...

We are delighted to announce our continuous support for the Bristol Bears Rugby Club. Cook Brown Building Control are proud to sponsor Harry Thacker, for a third season. Harry has been listed in the squad for tonight’s game at Sale and we hope he gets an opportunity...

The office is located in Herbert House, Charter Court on the outskirts of Swansea near the M4, with a new Cardiff office already planned in the near future to provide even closer support to our clients in this region. In April 2021 we welcomed two new recruits...

As a company, we strive to be a big advocate of continuous training and development for our employees to benefit the individual, our company and the construction industry. As such, we have recently welcomed two Trainee Building Control Surveyors – who are embarking on virtual training programmes...

We would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone at Cook Brown Building Control. We have decided to make charitable donations to two special charities close to our heart this year, as an eco-friendly alterative to sending printed Christmas cards to...

We are delighted to be celebrating our business birthday, although virtually this year, which marks our seventh year Championing Compliance in Construction. Our Joint Managing Directors, James Cook and Matt Brown, established the company in November 2013 to provide exceptional Building Control expertise to clients, and since...

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We announced in March this year that Hickton Group Ltd has successfully expanded its service portfolio by incorporating two further businesses – Cook Brown Building Control Ltd and Cook Brown Energy Ltd, providing a multi-disciplinary service of Quality, Compliance and Sustainability for clients. Prior to this significant...

We are delighted to be expanding our Leeds Building Control team with the addition of Peter Kelly, who will be undertaking Site Inspections, Plan Checks and Technical Guidance to support our clients in achieving Compliance with Building Regulations. To speak to Pete about compliance, please call 07720 824277...

Name: Gurpal Virdi What are the typical daily duties on site for a Building Control Surveyor? As a Building Control Surveyor, my job role entails providing advice on achieving compliance with the Building Regulations. Primarily working within the residential sector, my duties range from checking plans in...

We are delighted that Joanna McLeish has joined our team today (Monday, 10th August) as Quality Manager responsible for ensuring that the Building Control services we provide are ‘fit for purpose’, consistent and meets both internal and external requirements. Joanna has seven years’ experience in Building Control...

We are delighted that Mark has joined us as a Senior Building Control Surveyor. Mark’s role involved assisting with managing and providing technical support for Surveyors within the Midlands region, to deliver a services which promoted the quality of the built environment. To speak with Mark, please...

We are pleased to welcome Dave Allen to our Building Control team. If you would like expert Building Control Advice for projects, please contact Dave: M – 07592 590298 E – dave.allen@cookbrown.co.uk...