Obtain design approval
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
The architectural drawings must be drawn to a scale of 1:100. A meeting of architects convenes every Tuesday to discuss the applications submitted subject to architectural drawing approval. The architects at Reykjavik Construction Agency compare their notes, and if the application is complete and follows the guidelines and regulations of the Building Code, the approval will be issued in 1 – 2 weeks.
The cost is ISK 112 per cubic meter and an application fee of ISK 11,200 for the approval of architectural drawings and designs. The approval is valid for 2 years within which BuildCo has to begin construction.
Time and cost: 7 days, ISK 448,168
Obtain approval of structural, electrical, and mechanical design drawings
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
BuildCo can present these design drawings all at once or separately. The mechanical design drawings include the potable water system, heating and ventilation, and sewerage system. At this stage when BuildCo receives the approval of the technical aspect of drawings it must pre-pay for the inspections to be conducted during construction. There are 8 inspections during construction. Each inspection costs ISK 11,200 in Reykjavik. There is also an application fee of ISK 134,200.
Payment is made at this stage to ensure the inspections occur during construction. The approval is valid for 1 year within which BuildCo has to build the construction.
Time and cost: 14 days, ISK 223,800
Obtain approval of site manager
Agency: Licensed engineer
The site manager must be a professional engineer or a master builder. They are generally licensed by the Iceland Construction Authority. The application for this approval should include an application form, curriculum vitae, education certificate, and the liability insurance payment.
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Obtain initial set out of building
Agency: Reykjavik Public Works, Land Information Office, Reykjavík GIS
The cost is ISK 36,000.00, including a tax for the final stake out of the building. For simple buildings, half of the fee is often collected for the first stake out prior to excavation.
Time and cost: 5 days, ISK 36,000
Receive foundation work inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
At each stage of construction before the work is covered, an inspection must be conducted by the Municipality. These inspections must be requested within a day’s notice, and construction work does not stop. The request can be made via e-mail. The actual inspection takes 2 hours on average.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive concrete work inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive steel work for slabs inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive frame inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive drainage inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive structure inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive timber scaffolding inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Receive plumbing inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request occupancy permit and await final inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
The Reykjavik Construction Authority contacts all the other agencies that must inspect the building. The number of inspections depends on the size and purpose of the building. For a small warehouse, only the fire, health, and labor inspections are necessary. The Municipality coordinates these inspections.
Time and cost: 21 days, ISK 19,900
Receive final inspection
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
The final inspection includes inspections of employee facilities by Icelandic OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Agency), inspection of hygienic conditions by the Reykjavik Environmental and Hygiene Agency, and the fire system inspection.
Time and cost: 7 days, ISK 22,400
Register the building with the Municipality
Agency: Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office
Once the occupancy permit is issued, BuildCo can register it with the Municipality.
The Building Control Office of Reykyavik updates the status of the building in an internal database on an ongoing basis using number codes to indicate the progress of the construction. After each stage of the construction process is completed and the inspection has verified the progress, the Building Control Office updates the building’s status in its database. Once the building is completed, BuildCo registers the status of the completed building in the Reykjavik Municipal Building Control Office and in the meanwhile pays ISK 34,000 to the account of the National Registration Office in order to register the title over the newly constructed building and to obtain the relevant ID number for the building. The payment is done either via online payment method or via sending a check to the National Real Estate office. There is no need to have any interaction with the National Registration Office in order to register the building.
Time and cost: 15 days, ISK 34,000
Pay water connection fees to Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
Agency: Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveita Reykjavíkur)
Water connections are administered by Reykjavik Power Company based on a principle of a single window. Its operation and quality management are pursuant to ISO 9000.
Time and cost: 1 day, ISK 810,521
Obtain water meter and final water connection
Agency: Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveita Reykjavíkur)
Time and cost: 7 days, no charge
