PWC Building Control Services has entered liquidation following its failed application with the Building Safety Regulator, impacting numerous projects.
- Projects under PWC Building Control are in limbo, with local authorities now expected to manage an increased workload.
- PWC’s prior sanction from CICAIR for inadequate practices influenced its rejection from the new building-control register.
- Liquidation notices have been issued, urging project consultations with local authorities to continue work.
- The deadline extension for individual inspections did not apply to private firms, exacerbating industry challenges.
In a significant development within the construction regulatory landscape, PWC Building Control Services announced its voluntary liquidation after a failed application to the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The ramifications of this decision are vast, leaving ongoing projects without a clear path forward, as PWC’s inability to secure a spot on the building-control register has rendered it incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities. This has, in turn, forced the firm to issue initial notice cancellations for all ongoing projects, instructing clients and local authorities to resume management tasks before the impending deadline of 28 August.
The Northamptonshire-based firm’s collapse is expected to place a considerable strain on local building-control departments, particularly within its regional catchment area. With projects reverting to local authority control, these departments are anticipating a surge in workload. The firm’s website advises stakeholders to contact their local authority building control department, stressing the probable necessity for stakeholders to initiate new Regularisation applications to proceed with building work.
It is important to note that PWC was not engaged with higher-risk buildings, which implies that construction processes will not face immediate suspension. However, the regulatory environment has become increasingly stringent post-Grenfell, and PWC’s previous sanctions have undeniably influenced its current predicament. In January 2023, the construction firm received a warning from the previous regulator, CICAIR, regarding its substandard monitoring, reporting, and documentation practices. This 24-month sanction was active during their failed attempt to register with the BSR in February.
Despite receiving extensions to July for individual building inspectors to register, private firms like PWC were not granted similar concessions. This decision has exposed industry-wide issues regarding the capacity of local authorities to handle burgeoning responsibilities without sufficient flexibility or resources. The knock-on effect of these developments has left creditors, including one consultancy owed £55,000, seeking clarity on the recovery of owed funds.
The situation remains fluid, with calls to PWC’s headquarters going unanswered and Local Authority Building Control offering no comments. The market continues to adapt to these changes, reflecting the broader challenges faced by the construction industry amidst ongoing regulatory transformations.
PWC Building Control’s liquidation signifies broader regulatory challenges impacting the construction sector’s stability.
