Do I need Building Regs approval for my project?

All extensions and conversions, as well as many other building projects, require Building Regulations approval and we can help guide you through the process, potentially saving you time and money at the same time.

Check with us before you start building work

As a homeowner constructing or changing a building, it’s your responsibility to get Building Regulations approval before work begins. Without it, you can be liable to prosecution and fines, and building work might need to be redone at your expense if it is poorly carried out. Neglecting to check with building control can also hold up the future sale of your property if you carried out ‘notifiable’ work without approval.

Building Regulations are the detailed technical standards set by the Government to ensure that all homes are built to the required standard and are safe, healthy and high-performing. Regulations are constantly being revised and cover important areas such as fire safety, energy consumption and accessibility.

Types of work that needs Building Regulations approval

All extension and conversion projects need Building Regulations approval, as do many other kinds of work. Some minor work, such as repairs, do not need this approval and there are some exemptions for things such as sheds and greenhouses as long as they meet certain criteria. Always check what regulations approval is needed for the building work you have in mind.

You must have approval from building control before carrying out such work. (This process can take up to eight weeks, depending on the type of application you or your agent submit.)

We offer free pre-submission advice and guidance and can explain the approval and permissions process. Talk to us from the start and we can often save you time and money.

Building Regulations approval is not the same as Planning Permission

And you might need both for your project. Whether you need Planning Permission or not depends on the scale and extent of your project. We would always recommend you contact your Local Authority Planning Department to find out whether you need their permission first.  You can also check the interactive house on the Planning Portal for general guidance.

How to apply for Building Regulations

You can make an online Buildings Regulations application to us using Submit-a-plan an can find out more about the different types of application forms here.

Work that can be carried out by a Competent Person

Certain types of work, which need Building Regulations approval, such as installation of windows and doors, boilers and electrical work etc. can be carried out by a Competent Person. This is a person, who is a member of a registered competent person scheme, who is able to self-certify that their work complies with the Building Regulations and notifies the council’s building control team on your behalf.

If you choose this route you still need to ensure that this is done properly, as you’ll need to provide compliance certificates for the work when you come to sell your home. Part of the Competent Person’s role is to ensure the Local Authority has a record that the work carried out to your home was compliant with regulations.

Types of Building Regulations application

There are generally two types of Building Regulations application, and we can advise on which best suits your project and what fees are involved.

Full Plans applications are the most common type we receive, as they provide the reassurance of an approved set of plans for your builder to work to. You (or more usually, your agent) submit detailed drawings and the relevant fee for the work you intend to do. We check these plans and issue an approval notice so that building work can begin. We often also issue an inspection plan with the stages of the work we will want to come and inspect , which can depend on the size, scope and complexity of your project, the age and type of home.

The Full Plans approval process can take up to eight weeks but is usually quicker – and your approval notice is then valid for three years from the date it was issued. Provided that building work begins before the end of this period, you can usually continue through to completion without a time limit, provided you advise of this at the outset.

When the work is done, we’ll carry out a final inspection and provided the work is satisfactory, we will issue a completion certificate to show that – as far as can be assessed – it complies with minimum requirements of the Building Regulations.

Building Notices are a simpler and much quicker process for smaller building works such as the removal of an internal load-bearing wall, making a new window opening etc. As plans don’t need to be submitted, work can begin 48 hours after the application is submitted. Again, we carry out site inspections and issue completion certificates.

In addition, retrospective Building Regulations applications can be made for work that has already started or even been completed without previously notifying building control. This type of application is called a Regularisation application and applies to work carried out after November 1985.  This may not be a straightforward process though and can involve uncovering work, providing calculations and other information, nor is it a guarantee that the work will automatically receive a regularisation certificate. For more about this process, please contact us.

Get our help now

Read our Homeowner Guide to Extensions to find out more about the Building Regulations and Planning processes, how to find experts and for practical tips before starting your home improvement project.

If you would like to discuss your proposed building project before you submit an application please get in touch.