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FINANCE

Who can act as a supervising consultant and sign off key stages of our construction scheme?

We’re currently working through the details of our planned self build with our potential mortgage lender Halifax. We have informed them that we are project managing the work ourselves and hiring subcontractors directly. However, our mortgage advisor has sent a form requiring the signature of a supervising consultant or builder.

We do have a building consultant who has prepared our drawings and will help us through planning, but he’s technically retired and can’t sign this form. I’ve spoken to an architect and he has been advised not to sign either. How can we move forward to secure a mortgage?

All specialist lenders require self builds to be supervised and signed off at key milestones by a professional consultant. Most companies will either recognise the signature of an architect (or similar professional) or accept supervision of the building inspectors contracted by your warranty providers.

If you’re going down the route of using a professional, then the lender will require them to be a member of a regulatory body and have the relevant qualifications as well as professional indemnity insurance in place.These are the factors that are likely inhibiting your current consultant from certifying your structure. I am unsure as to why the architect was advised not to sign the form, as this is standard practice for self build lenders.