When you’ll need building control approval

Our building control team ensures the work you do to your home or building meets health and safety, energy and accessibility standards. It gives you the compliance certificates you need to sell your home or building.

It's illegal not to tell us about your building work. You might have to correct the work or pay a fine if you do not tell us about it.

You should apply for building regulation approval before you start work. However, if you have yet to apply, we may still be able to give you approval, but you need to tell us immediately.

Apply for approval

Apply for approval for:

• building work you've not started
• building work you've started or have finished without telling us

Why use our building control service

We have:

• expert knowledge in building regulations
• competitive pricing
• specialist advice in fire safety
• professional service tailored to your needs
• regular site inspections
• dedicated inspector to look after your project
• local knowledge
• proven competencies in aspects of the built environment

We want to help you ensure you receive all building control approval and certification requirements without delay or unnecessary expense.

We deal with various building regulations, including domestic extensions, loft conversions, community builds, and high-rise residential, commercial and industrial developments.

Types of application

Full plans

For this application, you must submit detailed plans, which we will check to see if they meet the Building Regulations. Most architects and plan drawers will do this on behalf of their clients. This is separate from planning permission, which is a different process. 

When you need full plans

A full plan application is for larger domestic building works and all non-domestic projects, including:

• commercial work
• houses of multiple occupancies, e.g. shared houses or bedsits
• flats above shops
• other building types where you need enhanced fire protection
• building work that will be near or crosses public sewers
• a new building that will front onto a private road

Find out more and submit a full plans application

Building notice

This type of application is for domestic building projects only, and while there is no limit to the project size, it is more suitable for more minor building works where plans are not so involved. 

When you need a building notice

A building notice is only for works to domestic dwellings, including smaller extensions, garage conversions, replacement windows, removal of a wall, etc.

Find out more and apply for a building notice 

Regularisation certificate

If you started work without getting building regulation approval, you must apply retrospectively to gain approval for the work carried out. We'll check whether it meets the building regulation standards. 

Find out more and apply for a regularisation certificate

Cost

Our fees are competitive and fixed. This will provide you with certainty about the cost of your building project. 

The full plans and building notice application cost will be the same, whichever route you choose.  You can check fees on our building control charges page or use the cost calculator in the building control application.

Type of work that needs building control approval

Building regulations apply to most building work, including:

• domestic home improvements
• work to commercial and non-residential properties
• new buildings and extensions to existing buildings, including loft conversions
• change of use of all or part of a building
• structural changes such as underpinning, reroofing, removing internal walls or chimney breasts
• changing a building’s use, such as converting a garage into a room or a house into flats
• putting in, extending or changing drains
• putting in services or fittings like washing and toilet facilities
• extending a building
• new fuel-burning appliances
• cavity wall insulation
• replacing windows and external doors
• some electrical installation work

View a complete list of what needs building control approval on the planning portal

When you don't need building regulations approval

You may not need approval to carry out minor building work, such as:

• conservatories
• porches
• carports
• small detached buildings such as outbuildings, garages, greenhouses or garden sheds