Assent Building Control – one of the UK’s largest private Approved Inspectors – has confirmed redundancies and warned it’s “fighting to survive.”
The announcement has sent shockwaves across the construction sector, raising questions about what happens when a building control body collapses mid-project, and what contractors should do to stay compliant under the Building Safety Act 2022.
A Changing Landscape for Building Control
For years, private inspectors like Assent filled a vital role by offering faster approvals than overstretched local authorities. But since the Grenfell tragedy and the introduction of the Building Safety Act, the regulatory environment has tightened dramatically.
Private building control bodies now face:
- Higher insurance costs
- Increased scrutiny from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
- Complex new approval processes for higher-risk buildings
The result? Many Approved Inspectors are finding it difficult to survive in the new environment – and contractors are left exposed when they fail.
What Happens if Your Building Control Body Collapses?
If an inspector or company like Assent goes under, live projects can be thrown into uncertainty.
- Compliance certificates may be invalid or delayed
- Site work may need to stop until a replacement regulator steps in
- Local authorities can be forced to take over, adding weeks or months to completion
In a sector already facing tight margins, those delays can cause real financial damage.
The Wider Industry Impact
Assent’s struggles highlight a much larger issue – the consolidation of private building control. By late 2025, it’s expected that only a handful of large, well-capitalised providers will remain active.
Smaller firms and independent inspectors could struggle to renew insurance or meet new regulatory standards. That means more disruption, more uncertainty, and more responsibility falling back onto main contractors and site managers.
Why This Matters for Contractors and Site Operators
The message is simple: compliance continuity matters more than ever.
When a building control body disappears, every part of the supply chain – from builders to site-service providers – feels the shock.
For contractors, it’s critical to:
- Keep detailed welfare and safety records
- Ensure documentation meets BSR standards
- Choose suppliers with proven compliance processes in-house
Keeping Sites Moving: euroloo’s Perspective
While others are struggling with compliance uncertainty, euroloo’s model is built on in-house control.
Our booking, delivery, service, and compliance systems are managed entirely by our own people – with no reliance on third parties.
That means site welfare continues uninterrupted, regardless of what’s happening elsewhere in the industry.
You may also be interested in reading:
Workplace Toilet & Welfare Compliance (UK 2025 Guide) and Why Two Toilets Keep Your Business Compliant.
Looking Ahead
Assent’s situation won’t be the last. The next 12 months are likely to bring further consolidation and stricter enforcement under the Building Safety Act. Contractors that prioritise verified compliance and dependable site partners now will be better placed to avoid disruption later.
If your projects depend on consistent welfare, sanitation, and compliance, now’s the time to review your supply chain.
Because when parts of the compliance system fail – your sites still need to run safely, legally, and without interruption.
