Architecture Term

Construction Supervision (Yapı Denetim)

A legally mandatory third-party inspection service that verifies a construction project is being built according to its design and regulations through site visits. The fee is paid by the building owner but deposited into an official escrow account rather than directly to the inspection firm. A mechanism designed to preserve the inspection's independence.

Also available in:Türkçe (Yapı Denetimi)·الإشراف الفني على البناء

Who pays and how it is deposited

The building owner bears the building inspection fee but does not pay it directly to the inspection firm: the fee is deposited into an escrow-type account opened at the accounting office of the relevant province (the revenue office or treasury office), and the firm receives its progress payments from that account^[1]. This mechanism aims to keep the inspection independent of the party that pays for it.

Fee rates

Under Article 5 of Turkey's Building Inspection Law, the service fee is a percentage of the building's approximate cost depending on construction area: 1.75% up to 1,000 m², 1.5% between 1,001 and 50,000 m², and 1.25% for buildings larger than 50,000 m²^[1]. For buildings up to 500 m² the owner chooses the inspection company and the 1.75% rate may be raised up to 3.50%; if construction lasts more than a year, the rate is increased by 5% for each year^[1]. The rates were changed by Law No. 7534 of 5 December 2024.

Why the contract comes before the permit

For the permit application a service contract with an authorised building inspection company must be signed; for buildings above 500 m² of construction area, the contract is made with one of at most two companies determined electronically^[1]. For details see our articles on who pays the building inspection fee and the building permit process.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays the building inspection fee?

The building owner pays, but the fee is deposited not directly to the inspection firm but into an escrow-type account at the relevant province's accounting office.

What percentage is the building inspection fee?

Under Article 5 of the Building Inspection Law it is 1.75% of the approximate building cost up to 1,000 m², 1.5% between 1,001 and 50,000 m², and 1.25% for larger buildings.

When is the building inspection contract signed?

A service contract with an authorised building inspection company must be signed for the building permit application; for buildings up to 500 m² the owner chooses the company.

Sources

Law on Building Inspection (No. 4708), Articles 2 and 5 (inspection, service fee and contract)