BER - whose responsibility, builder or client?

[lockster]

I have employed a building contractor to construct a dormer bungalow on my behalf. This is now approaching completion. During the construction I employed the services of an engineer to provide detail to the builder as to the levels of insulation required (aiming for a B1 cert). All this has been completed. I have heard that it is the builders obligation to provide me with a BER Cert on completion of the house. I'm just wondering if this is true or whether it is my own responsibility to get this. There is nothing in the tender contract about the BER.

 

[Sconhome]

Depending on the planning regulations applicable at the time of planning permission, a BER may not be required until you go to sell the house.

If applicable, it would be normal practise for BER and blower door (airtightness) tests to be carried out by the contractor during the building process. (BER obviously when finished).

Your architect would normally supervise this to ensure that the house is being delivered to the design specification.

It would do no harm for you to engage an assessor to run the numbers so that you have a second opinion on the BER rating of the house. If it is not covered in the contract you would probably get charged for it as a variation anyway.

 

[sydthebeat]

I have employed a building contractor to construct a dormer bungalow on my behalf. This is now approaching completion. During the construction I employed the services of an engineer to provide detail to the builder as to the levels of insulation required (aiming for a B1 cert). All this has been completed. I have heard that it is the builders obligation to provide me with a BER Cert on completion of the house. I'm just wondering if this is true or whether it is my own responsibility to get this. There is nothing in the tender contract about the BER.

There is no legal requirement for teh builder to furnish you with the certificate. There is a legal onus on you however, as the occupier, to have an assessment carried out and certificate issued prior to occupancy.

Thus, its up to you.

If your engineer has provided a specification in order to achieve a provisional rating, then its very easy for him/her to provide the final cert based on the completed dwelling.

 

[sydthebeat]

Depending on the planning regulations applicable at the time of planning permission, a BER may not be required until you go to sell the house.

not entirely correct.

Any house not substantially complete by 1st July 2008 is required to have a BER done, regardless of the planning timespans.

assuming this is a new build, it must have an assessment carried out.

assuming it is a new build, it must also have a provisional DEAP assessment carried out to ensure compliance with building regulations, prior to commencement of works.