Building Completion Certificate (BCC) in Qatar
A building completion certificate, often called a BCC, is the municipality's confirmation that a finished building matches its building permit. Owners need it to connect permanent utilities, occupy, lease and register the property. We prepare the as-built drawings, check the building against the permit and manage the application.
Who needs this
- Villa owners whose construction is finished
- Developers handing over residential or commercial buildings
- Owners of older buildings that never received a certificate
- Owners whose building differs from the permit drawings
What we deliver
- Measured survey of the finished building
- Comparison report of the built work against the permit drawings
- As-built architectural, structural and MEP drawings
- Application for a whole or partial completion certificate
- Coordination of Qatar Civil Defence, Kahramaa and Ashghal clearances
- Permit modification drawings, where the building differs
Who reviews the drawings
We prepare each submission, answer the comments and follow up until it is cleared.
Ministry of Municipality
Compares the finished building with the approved permit drawings and issues the whole or partial building completion certificate.
Qatar Civil Defence (QCDD)
Inspects fire and life safety systems in buildings that fall under its review.
Kahramaa
Inspects the electrical and water installations before permanent supply.
Ashghal (Public Works Authority)
Confirms that the building drainage is connected to the public sewer network.
How it works
The steps below are the usual sequence. We confirm the exact route for your plot and building type at the start.
- 01
Survey the building
We measure the finished building, including setbacks, heights, floor areas and room uses.
- 02
Compare with the permit
We mark every difference between the built work and the approved drawings. We agree with you how to resolve each one.
- 03
Prepare as-built drawings
We draw the architectural, structural and MEP as-built set so that it matches the real building.
- 04
Collect clearances
We coordinate the completion checks by Qatar Civil Defence, Kahramaa and Ashghal that apply to your building.
- 05
Apply and attend inspection
We submit the application through the building permits system. We attend the municipality inspection and answer any comments.
What we need from you
- Building permit and the approved permit drawings
- Title deed and plot plan
- Owner's Qatar ID, or commercial registration for a company
- Contractor's as-built records and a list of site changes
- Test records for fire, electrical and water systems
- Any violation notice or earlier municipality correspondence
Common causes of delay, and how we avoid them
Unapproved additions
Extra rooms, roof structures or enclosed shaded areas often appear during construction. We find them in our survey and deal with them before the inspection.
Setback and boundary errors
A wall built over the setback line can block the certificate. We survey against the plot plan before you apply.
As-built drawings that do not match
Drawings copied from the permit set without a site check fail when the inspector compares them. We draw from a measured survey.
Open clearances from other authorities
A missing Civil Defence, Kahramaa or Ashghal clearance holds the certificate. We track each one on a single list from the start.
What the building completion certificate is
The building completion certificate is issued by the Ministry of Municipality through its Development and Building Permits Section. Before issuing it, the municipality compares the existing building with the drawings approved under the building permit. The service covers a whole building or a part of one. Since 2024 the Ministry has offered the completion certificate and the sorting of real estate units as one service in the building permits system. The application is normally made by the consultancy office that the owner appoints.
Why owners need it
Without a completion certificate, a building is finished on site but not on paper. The certificate is normally needed for permanent electricity and water from Kahramaa. Ashghal also issues its own confirmation that the building is connected to the sewer, which Kahramaa asks for. Owners usually need the certificate to register the building on the property records, to split it into units, and to register leases. Banks, buyers and tenants applying for a commercial licence often ask for it as well.
When the building differs from the permit
Many buildings change during construction. A room is added, a window moves, a staircase shifts. The municipality will see the difference when it compares the building with the permit. The usual routes are to modify the permit so the drawings match the building, to correct the work on site, or both. Some changes cannot be approved because they break planning rules such as setbacks, height or built area.
Building Completion Certificate: common questions
Can I get a completion certificate for part of a building?
Yes. The Ministry of Municipality service covers partial and whole building completion certificates. A partial certificate can suit a phased project, subject to the municipality's conditions.
Do I need as-built drawings for a villa?
In practice, yes. The municipality checks the finished villa against the permit, and accurate as-built drawings show clearly what was built.
My building is old and has no certificate. Can you help?
Yes. We survey the building, find the original permit if it exists, and compare the two. We then advise which route is realistic. We cannot promise that every building will be approved.
What happens if the municipality finds a violation?
The municipality can refuse the certificate until the violation is settled. Settlement may mean a permit modification, removal of the unapproved work, or a penalty under the building regulations.
Often needed together
- AB
As-Built Drawings
Measured site survey and architectural, structural and MEP as-built drawings for completion certificates, modifications, fit-outs, sales and handover.
- AUTH
Building Permit
We prepare the drawings and submit your building permit application to the Ministry of Municipality, with the other authority clearances it needs.
- AUTH
Civil Defence Approval
Fire safety drawings prepared and submitted for Qatar Civil Defence (QCDD) approval, for new buildings and fit-outs in Qatar.
Tell us about your project.
An engineer will get back to you. The first consultation is free.