The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 stopped the need for a council completion certificate to be issued.
However, the council wants the final say on whether pupils can return to all 17 schools closed over safety fears.
The council is to have a "clearer picture" from surveys on Friday.
Why are Edinburgh schools closed?
Seventeen schools built or modernised just over a decade ago under the controversial Public Private Partnership arrangement scheme were shut earlier this month over safety concerns.
The council had entered into a deal to build the schools with the specially-formed private company, the Edinburgh Schools Partnership, and construction work was carried out by Miller Construction.
Under the deal, the profit-making company built the schools, runs the buildings and maintains them. The council is, in effect, a tenant.
Children at all 17 schools are now back in classrooms but finding alternative accommodation has been a major logistical operation and some youngsters face lengthy journeys to temporary sites.
Some form of investigation or inquiry into the debacle is expected to be launched after the Scottish election.
17
Schools closed over safety fears
7,600 Primary and secondary pupils affected by the closures
61 Alternative schools are being used
655 Teachers relocated
70  Bus services laid on to transport pupils
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesman said: "The council will appoint independent experts to give us the necessary reassurance that work carried out by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership and its contractors is of the required standard to ensure the safety of children."

In an unexpected move, the European Parliament voted to require all EU importers of four minerals to be certified to ensure they do not fuel conflicts and human rights abuses.
The European Commission had recommended that checks be only voluntary.
Human rights groups praised the vote as a "historic moment".
The decision will now be discussed by member states and the European Commission.
Amnesty International and Global Witness had originally warned that a voluntary system covering European businesses would have watered down the proposals.
Before the vote, the two groups were among more than 150 which signed a letter calling for binding rules that focused on more manufacturers and more materials.
MEPs decided to back a law covering not just European importers that sourced minerals from conflict zones but also companies that used the four materials - tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold - in the manufacturing process.
While an estimated 20 refineries and smelters would be directly affected, the EU also estimates as many as 880,000 firms would have to provide details on the measures they take to avoid the use of minerals from conflict areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes area of East Africa.
Many tech gadgets such as smartphones use conflict materials, so-called because they are mined in warlike conditions and traded by armed groups.
Campaigners had earlier complained that the scheme did not cover minerals and materials such as diamonds, jade and chromite, which are also known to be sources of conflict.

The 22-year-old joined up with his new teammates after the World Cup, but has yet to feature for the Chiefs.
"We have won two games out of three in the Premiership and he's not been here very long," Baxter told BBC Sport.
"He, like a number of other very good players here at Exeter, will have to be patient and when their chance comes they'll have to play very well if they want to stay in the team."
Campagnaro, who has won 18 caps for his country and featured in all four of their games at this year's World Cup, agreed a move to the Chiefs in Janaury from Pro12 side Benetton Treviso.
He has been training with the Premiership club for the past three weeks.
"It's hard for me to say how far away he is, we don't know what injuries are going to happen, we don't know the form of the team, we don't know how our centres are going to play this weekend," added Baxter.
"He could be very close or he could have to be patient for a while, but the A League's not more than two or three weeks away now.
"All the players that haven't played so far will feature in the A League. That will give them an opportunity to play. They may well get an opportunity before then depending on other circumstances."
Independent experts appointed by the council will check schools in Edinburgh are safe to reopen in a major departure from the previous system, which saw builders approve their own work.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Euro MPs have called for companies to carry out mandatory checks to stop "conflict minerals" entering Europe from war zones.
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Italy centre Michele Campagnaro will have to wait to make his Exeter debut.