BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATIONS

​Do you need Building Regulations Applications?

The new extension construction must comply with the latest approved documents
Click here to check if you need a Building Regulation application
Click here to see the list of building which don't require a building regulation applications.

​Which Building Regulation Application do you need to use? 

​First of all, we need to discuss the building regulation application alternatives there are and which one you need. There are three types of building regulation applications: full applications, building notice applications and regularisation applications. Full applications are further divided into 3 different applications. Together, we will discuss and decide on which one is the most appropriate depending on your property and what you want to achieve. 

Full application:
The building regulation drawings, specifications and calculations will be prepared. These will be submitted and approved by an Authority. This Authority can be:

• A) Local Council - Plans will be checked by the Local Building Control and they will inspect the construction. They will issue a completion certificate after the final inspection. Plan checking fee and inspection fee will be paid to the Local Council. Building regulation applications can be approved in two months.
• B) Partner Council - This is very similar application with the Local Council application. The only difference is plans will be checked and approved by the South Bucks Building Control (our partner). Therefore, the plan checking fee will be paid to them by phone. The advantage of this application is that it is faster than others because of one point of contact.  Building regulation applications can be approved in two weeks. The fee is similar to the Local Building Control applications. 
• C) Private Inspector;
  Approved inspectors are private firms approved by the council to basically do the same job as in-house Building Control staff.  We will provide the drawings and calculations to you as PDFs, and you or your builder will submit the applications. Please click here for an approved inspector list.

Building Notice application: 
This is a short cut to save time by skipping the full plans application if you have faith in the skill and knowledge of your builder. This type of application is only for smaller jobs. Essentially, you are making a promise that you will comply with the Building Regulations later on site, rather than submitting detailed drawings to prove it in advance. The risk is that, as your plans haven’t been fully approved in advance, a site inspection could uncover something that contravenes the regulations while it’s being built- this leads to the risk of costly delays.

You’ll still need to submit a form, block plan, drainage and structural calculation to Local Council. The fee is the same but will be paid in advance. When the Building Notice application is accepted, the next stage is to inform the building control 2 days before starting on the site. The officer will than inspect the work at the key stages. You do not get formal approval like you do with full plans.

This application can be done to the local council by the client or the builder. 

Regularisation Application:
You can apply for ‘regularisation’ - retrospective approval for work already carried out without consent - from a local authority BCB only.
Only work carried out after 11 November 1985 can be approved in this way.
​You might need to make alterations before your BCB can agree the work complies with regulation and gives you a regularisation certificate.
You may have to correct the work and pay fines if building regulations are not followed.

The Process for full plan applications

Let’s assume you have decided on going with a full plan application.
​

• First of all, we need to make final changes on the planning drawing before starting building regulation drawings ( i.e. any small change, any window, door or roof light to be revised or removed).
• Once completed, we will prepare all necessary building regulations drawings, specifications, calculations and forms then submit these to the Building Control. We will send you an email explaining how to make payments to Building Control.
• When they are approved, we will provide you with the hardcopies of your drawings and you can start getting quotes from the builders.
• You need to notify the Building Control two days before commencing on site. They will come and inspect the site. Booking can be done online. 
• The building surveyor will observe onsite details including: Foundations, ground and floors, damp proofing, roof structure, drainage, structural beams and openings, fire proofing, thermal insulation, and completion.
• They will issue a completion certificate at the end of the job. 

​Congratulations! Enjoy your new house!

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