Final Inspection in Ireland — BCAR, Certificate of Compliance, and What Gets Signed
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Final inspection: Assigned Certifier inspects the finished build, signs the Certificate of Compliance on Completion. Required for occupancy.
Final inspection: Assigned Certifier inspects the finished build, signs the Certificate of Compliance on Completion (CCC). Required for occupancy. The CCC is the legal sign-off for the build. Without it, the mortgage won't release the final drawdown and the BER won't be issued. The Assigned Certifier inspects: the foundations (verification), the wall build-up (verification), the roof structure, the airtightness, the heating system, the electrical, the plumbing, the finishes. The CCC commits the Assigned Certifier to the build; they need to be confident. Don't sign BCAR until the snag is closed or in writing agreed. The CCC is filed with the Building Control Management System (BCMS).
When this matters most
You're approaching practical completion and need to plan the final inspection.
When this doesn't apply
The CCC is signed and the build is complete.
Sources
Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (SI 9/2014). https://www.gov.ie/
Frequently asked questions
What is the Certificate of Compliance on Completion?
A signed certificate from the Assigned Certifier confirming the building was constructed in accordance with the plans, specifications, and BCAR. Required for occupation. Filed with the BCMS.
What happens at the final inspection?
Assigned Certifier inspects: foundations, wall build-up, roof structure, airtightness, heating, electrical, plumbing, finishes. Signs the CCC if the build complies. Files with the BCMS.
When can I move in?
After the CCC is signed and filed. Most contracts allow occupation once the CCC is filed. Hold the retention as your leverage until the snag is closed.
When this matters most
You're approaching practical completion and need to plan the final inspection.
When this doesn't apply
The CCC is signed and the build is complete.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
- Appointing a Main Contractor in Ireland — The Contract, the Insurances, and the Programme →
- Choosing a Builder in Ireland — The 10 Questions That Sort the Field →
- Self-Build Programme in Ireland — Gantt Chart, Critical Path, and the 9–15 Month Reality →
- Snag List Process in Ireland — The Walk-Through, the 60–180 Items, and the Fix →
- Stage Payments in a Self-Build in Ireland — Milestones, Retention, and the 5% Rule →
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
- BER Assessment in Ireland — When to Get One, What It Costs, and What the Assessor Measures →
- PSCS and PSDP in Ireland — Mandatory Roles Under SHWW 2013, Who Takes Them, and When →
- Retention in a Self-Build in Ireland — 5% Held Back, When It's Released, and the Trap →
- Schedule of Works for a Self-Build — What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Write One →
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
- BER Assessment in Ireland — When to Get One, What It Costs, and What the Assessor Measures →
- Building Contract Types in Ireland — Fixed-Price vs Cost-Plus, and What Each Means →
- Direct Labour vs Main Contractor in Ireland — Cost, Time, Risk, and the Hybrid Route →
- Retention in a Self-Build in Ireland — 5% Held Back, When It's Released, and the Trap →
Compare with
Alternative approaches worth knowing.