It has also said that it is affronted by assertions that the sector holds clients to ransom in regard to completion certificates.
鈥淗ow will building owners who choose to 'opt out' have a guarantee of the quality and safety of their home?鈥� said CICI. 鈥淭hese homeowners will not be certain that their house is safe from fire or structural failure.鈥�
CICI, which represents Engineers Ireland and five other bodies, is concerned about the amendments to the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014) that allow building owners to opt out of certification in respect of new dwellings on a single unit development or a domestic extension. (link opens in new tab).
鈥淭he members of the CIC have been and remain strongly supportive and committed to the Department鈥檚 goals of protecting consumers through the raising of standards, competence and professionalism in the construction sector through S.I. No. 9 of 2014,鈥� said the letter.
It went on to say: 鈥淚t was therefore with extreme regret that we learned of your decision to amend S.I. No. 9 of 2014, despite advice from industry experts. The use of inflammatory language such as; consumers '鈥ill no longer be held to ransom by excessive quotes for design and completion certificates鈥�' is an affront to the industry, particularly after three years of active engagement by the sector on an issue driven by your Department.
鈥淭here is simply no empirical data supporting the assertion that consumers are being quoted excessive fees and the evidence that is available from your own Department indicates that the fees are, in fact, in line with what the Department expected i.e. between 鈧�3k - 鈧�4k or circa. 1.75% of the average cost of a home. The overall fee associated with statutory certification should be looked at in the context of the overall life cycle costs of a building and not just the 'one-off' costs of construction.鈥�
CICI added that the statutory inspection regime required by S.I. No. 9 ensured the competence of all personnel involved in design, inspection and construction of building work. 鈥淭his has been seriously compromised,鈥� it said. 聽
鈥淚t is the view of the CIC that the newly proposed regulations will lead to the creation of a two-tier housing market, which will not support consistent implementation of standards throughout the industry. Investment in design, inspection and certification leads to better quality, compliance with good building standards, such as the use of appropriate aggregate for use under concrete floors, energy consumption, radon regulations and the use of 'fit for purpose' quality products.鈥�
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