An assigned certifier is a registered architect, engineer or building surveyor appointed by the building owner to inspect and certify that design and construction comply with the Building Regulations for projects where this role is required. They coordinate ancillary certifiers and, on completion, sign the certificate of compliance alongside the builder.
The assigned certifier is a role created under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which requires the building owner to appoint a suitably qualified and registered professional, either an architect, chartered engineer or registered building surveyor, to take responsibility for inspecting and certifying that the design of a building and, on completion, its construction comply with the Building Regulations, for projects where this statutory certification regime applies.
The assigned certifier's role includes reviewing the design against the relevant Technical Guidance Documents, coordinating any ancillary certifiers appointed for specialist elements such as structure or fire safety, and carrying out or overseeing a programme of inspections during construction. On completion, the assigned certifier signs the Certificate of Compliance on Completion together with the builder, confirming that, based on their inspections, the works have been constructed in accordance with the Building Regulations.
Not every project requires an assigned certifier: the requirement generally applies to new dwellings and other works that fall within the scope of the 2014 amendment regulations, while some smaller-scale domestic works, including certain extensions, may fall outside this specific regime, though they still need to comply with the Building Regulations more generally. Whether the requirement applies to a given project should be confirmed with a competent professional or the local authority.