Assent BC Avis 

I was with Assent for 5 years, had multiple inspections on the build and believed I was v close to sign off. I phone today to discover they failed to move our contract when they dropped the Assent licence a year ago ( they told me nothing) and now I must start the whole process of the build sign off with the council on a nearly complete building. Ive had good relations with the inspectors and the staff are nice but the company management is toxic and cares little for their clients. This was all just a manouever to dump risk on large projects and clients like us are paying the price.

Our initial experience with Assent was extremely disappointing. The administrative organisation was poor, and we received little to no guidance or direction. At that stage, I would have rated the service one star. There were multiple errors — documents were incorrectly completed, the description of works was wrong in the original submission, email addresses were misentered, and even a record of payment was misplaced. It was unclear who was actually conducting the work, much of which appeared to be outsourced, and we didn’t have contact details for our local Birmingham office.

However, once Julie Spencer took over the management of our portfolio, the service improved dramatically. Julie’s support and organisation were exemplary. She kept us informed, clarified the process, and ensured everything ran smoothly. Her professionalism and attention to detail were a stark contrast to our earlier experience. Reviewing the service since working with Julie directly I would not hesitate to give 5 stars.

One structural issue worth highlighting is the payment model. Building control fees are taken 100% upfront, which leaves customers with little leverage and gives the company minimal incentive to go above and beyond once payment has been received. In our case, this contributed to a poor initial experience. I would strongly recommend a more balanced approach — for example, 50% payment upfront, with the remainder due upon completion and prior to issuing the final certificate. This would help align service quality with customer expectations throughout the process.

Having read other reviews, I’d echo the same advice to Assent: tighten up the administration and internal coordination — and take a leaf out of Julie’s book. Her approach made all the difference.

Thank you Julie!

if i could zero stars i would terrible company be careful they will take your money and then abandon your job. i had three jobs registered with them they did not provide completion certificate and told me there’s nothing they can do to back to the council after taking my money. gave them the benefit of the doubt recently constantly hounding for money job was delayed customer forgot to pay and they cancelled the job again use at your own perrel

Great individual at Assent- Vicky who helped me and gave me my report after they had to close the project.

I have used assent in the past and to be honest they were good,but my last experience with them was terrible , poor communication and customer service and a very rude Maria in accounts , certainly would not use again and I would advise any fellow tradesman to look elsewhere

Rip off organisation where they take your money and then fail to complete inspections and have staff in West London who left on mass after fraudulent activities...

An absolute disgrace of a company. Totally unprofessional and woeful customer service from both assent office in Wakefield and the northern assent bc office. Trying to get them to return calls or even answer the phone is a near impossibility. Got chased and chased for payment at the start, even though project was delayed and they hadn’t done any work. Once it was completed they refuse to communicate. They even tried to tell me that my project was waiting for an inspector to come round….several weeks after he had been. These people haven’t got a clue and the people who work for them should be ashamed of themselves. They have all the hallmarks of a scam company. Regret ever calling them.

The WORST customer service I have ever received

All theyre after is money constantly harassing me for invoice payments saying theyll continue to chase it. BARE IN MIND I havent even instructed them. They then told me they have signed documents from me. Another joke, as I havent signed any contracts with them. Absolutely shoddy and would avoid at all costs. If theyre this crappy now then I’m glad I havent gone ahead with them. Asking for payment constantly but then dont respond to any of my questions. Then the threatening harassing emails. Disgraceful company

Cowboys

Used this useless company for building control for a loft extension. The Officer assigned to us (Parv) was utterly useless at returning any calls , messages, emails. I've been in the building game for over 25 years and these lot are the worse building control inspectors ever. I would never use these Cowboys!! Some of the stuff they greenlighted, I made my trades do again! Amateurs!!! They contacted me 18 MONTHS after the project was finished!! So if you want professionalism and actual standards stay away from Assent BC (more like Descent (into) BS!

This company as highlighted below are cowboys and crooks. Kept sending invoices saying we owed them money despite our paying the agreed amounts for their work. Have not provided the final certificate needed. The company has been sued already and if they do not provide my outstanding documentation, I too will take them to court.

This company entered into an agreement to subcontract work with several inspectors, of which I was one. I picked up some terrible historic work which had been extremely badly managed but we're told we do not have the funds to unpick it and to risk assess the projects. At first they were greatful of the help, then they started paying late and then not at all. The have not paid the invoice, they won't return the calls, emails anything. You cannot get through to anyone at Wakefield to discuss this as you get an answer machine....I know I am not the only one they have done this too. Having read the reviews this company has really imploded and is also shafting it's customers as well as the subcontractors that supported it.

My loft conversion was finished in September last year. I now need the sell my property so we can move closer to my kids school. I have been trying to get the final certificate since early May. I can not understand why this is so hard for them. I am on the priority list and have been for a while now. Tbh it is getting me down now.

Assent (and Lisa Hendricks) are absolutely superb. 10 years after signing off my project they located and provided documentation within minutes.
Really impressive 🙏🏻

Everything from start to finish was poor. Still no closer to getting the work passed. They were quick to take the fee and that was it. I repeatedly tried contacting them and nothing. I have contacted the feedback and still no closer just lies. Avoid like the plague

The feedback have just fobbed me. I am seeking legal advice. I will get my refund

Like others, Assent cancelled my project when they did not renew their license last year. I received an email from Assent in March 2022 telling me my project would be transfered to one of their subsiduaries that would maintain their Building Control license, but the transfer didn't happen. I had a helpful local inspector however Assent HQ did everything they could to dismiss and ignore my issues. I began small claims court proceedings and finally received a settlement from Assent for the full cost of going to my local autority building control.

I've had a horrible experience with Assent. We paid them in full in 2022, but our project was delayed due to party wall issues until 2025. In the meantime I received a demand for more money from them, with an offer to send me information about why it was owed. I asked for this information and never received it. Since then I've emailed, rung them multiple times and received nothing helpful except constant threatening emails demanding the money 'owed'. I've asked for the complaints procedure and the original offered information and contractual information on multiple occasions and they have not provided it in 6 months. When I ring, they claim there are no managers, nobody from the complaints department and nobody from the technical team available. I've contacted my architect who referred me to them to try and resolve the issue as I have no evidence they are doing anything other than waiting for me to run out of time and be forced to go ahead with them and their arbitrary fee increases.

AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS. In September 2024 this company issued a Cancellation Notice on a building project they were instructed to inspect in London. They closed the office dealing with the issue and since September last year despite dozens of phone calls and emails asking for someone to look into the problem including contacting the head office multiple times NOTHING has been done. The company is the most unprofessional, shambolic and incompetent inspectorate we have ever dealt with. AVOID

We have had a nightmare with Assent. They do not proactively contact their clients, they do not document their surveys and they shun responsibility amongst their team, not taking any ownership for work they are contracted to do. Save yourself the hassle and find someone else to use!

We started an extension and used Assent Building Control. Everything seemed to be going well until we got to the end when they decided to cancel our application.
Now we have to go to the local authority and prove we have carried out the work to standard to get a completion certificate. This involves exposing foundations and internal insulation amongst other things.
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!