Launch meeting

The building permit may provide for a start-up meeting necessary to fulfil the duty of care. A start-up meeting is required for single-family home construction projects and larger.

The builder or his representative, the principal designer of the building and the foreman in charge must be present at the meeting.

At the kick-off meeting, the obligations imposed on the builder by the permit documents, the key parties involved in the design and construction of the project, the persons responsible for the construction phases, the persons who will carry out inspections of the work phases, and other reports and measures to ensure the quality of the construction are recorded in the minutes.

The protocol serves as a written commitment of the studies and measures by which the builder fulfils his obligation of care.

Notification of launch

Before the start of construction work, a notice of commencement must be submitted to the building control authority. The responsible foreman must also be approved before the work starts.

The actual construction work can only start once the permit has become final, unless the permit authority has granted permission to start work before the permit becomes final. Finality means that the decision can no longer be appealed.

Commencement of construction work here means the pouring of the foundation of the building or the installation of the building elements forming part of the foundation. In the case of repairs and alterations, construction work is deemed to have begun when the demolition or construction of structures or parts of structures is started.

Preparatory works such as excavation, filling and felling of trees do not require a separate permit in addition to a building permit. These measures may be carried out before the permit becomes legally binding, provided that the building control authority has determined that the measure has a minor impact. However, preparatory measures require a notice of commencement and the approval of the responsible foreman.

A landscaping permit may be required if preparatory measures are taken before a building permit is issued. Please check with the building inspectorate before proceeding.