Thank you Sara.
My experience has been that an Engineer or Architect specifies the requirements in accordance with the guidelines operational at that time and it all looks and sounds great on paper and get approved. However the builder/contractor actually on the floor may not necessarily 100% follow those and more unlikely in small builds and extensions (large developments are a different issue and matter in ministerial campaigns and lobbies to larger affected groups unlike neighbourly objections in small ones).

LA BC generally come in when the contractor / builder calls them up to say they are at a milestone which needs to be signed off and pops along an individual with a clipboard and hard hat, kicks, stamps and pokes a few places and then has cuppa where they ask if (the contractor) if they have been compliant and off they go. In other words it is more of a tick box process as opposed to an inquisitive and inspectional one.

Obvousuly with larger builds the risk of public outcry and powers above coming down hard pulls the attention away from extensions and small builds. In fact many builders now prefer approved third parties acting as BC to sign off works (who are less stringent and some not even visiting sites) to get around LA BC checks.

Many of my neighbours have have extensions and builds which not only is not in line with the planned material use for things such as the roof, windows and rendering but is also not in line with the plans themselves - In fact a neighbour decided that whilst they had permission for a two storey side and rear extension they would put in a fully large staircase to an unplanned third floor - was a loft space now fully kitted play area for kids. BC never picked it up and even when the owner tried to show it to them they were not interested as it was not on their list to check.

As with another property which sold last year, the problem will only be when the current owners come to sell and the new buyers solicitors pick it up and may demand to it be removed or get it signed off by BC, ie after the event.

Nevertheless it would be a good place to start. It may be worth trying to get the builder to show his schedule (timing and order wise of the project or work and what the end job is to be) and for him to identify where he is at. This may either give you some reassurance that things are moving or sound alarm bells or give you an opportunity to sit down with your contractor and devise a meaningful progressive route to the end of your desired goal

Thanks for sharing this, Sara. This is the first time I've read about others going through similar experiences - what a revelation, although I'm sorry to hear it as well. I'm a pretty resilient person but my god, the past 18 months' have been hell at points! I've had to face down some demons, and have also found myself resorting to the drink - I'd never been much of a drinker previously. Add in all the other things that come up in life and can be challenging enough, and it goes to show how much stress so many people are dealing with. I think it's one of the reasons I've developed a bit of a hard edge and find it difficult to care about these millionaire victim narratives I'm apparently supposed to be interested in.

I'll say this to you and NMKC - you've had the courage to take on something stressful and difficult, and for that you have my respect. You didn't take the easy option. It'll all get there in the end and you can be very proud of your efforts.

Depends on what I want doing.
I go up my road knock on a builders door he comes round tells me what needs doing and how I can do it.
He then comes back checks and helps when needed (8 foot concrete fence posts for instance)
He is trained electrician but has let his qualification lapse but will do the odd electrical work.
Laid bricks etc but I have to be the hod carrier, to the top of a terraced garden. Charges to the nearest quarter of an hour.
I go down the other end of the road for plumbing and welding work. Normally have to pay for welding metal work minor plumbing is normally free.
I do allowe the latter to give my dog treats every morning. Quid pro quo
I have now learnt never to hire a mate whose a builder. Inevitable bodging.

Time to change your plumbers.

I feel your pain.
However, there are a multitude of horror stories in the new-build sector, i.e short-cuts will be taken regardless.

Just be thankful you don't know what's 'under the surface' of your own house, or anyone else's for that matter!! Good luck with the rest of the project.