A compliance check, not a quality check
Every council Building Control inspector and every Approved Inspector is doing one job: confirming that what is built meets the minimum standards in the Building Regulations. They are not there to confirm the work is good, tidy, or value for money — only that it is legal.
What they actually look at
Inspectors visit at defined stages — commencement, excavation, foundations, damp-proof course, drainage, structural work, insulation, completion — and check the specific items listed in the Approved Documents at each stage.
What they do not check
Workmanship, finishes, decoration, brand of materials beyond what is specified, contract terms, payment milestones, or whether the design is sensible. None of that is in their remit.
Frequently asked
No. Planning is about whether you can build something. Building Control is about whether what you build meets the technical standards.