If you're changing an existing building or building something new, you may need building control approval. Building regulations apply to most building work. 

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 submit an application or a building Notice before you start work. However, if you have yet to apply, we may still be able to certify the work, but you need to tell us immediately.

Why use our building control service:

  • 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

Application for building regulations approval with 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 do you need an application for building regulations approval with full plans?

These can be used for most building work other than to higher-risk buildings. This type of application should be submitted if any of the following applies;

  • commercial work
  • houses of multiple occupation (HMO), 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 can you use 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 submitting an application or building notice to us, you must apply retrospectively for the work to be certified by us. It will be necessary to evidence the work meets the minimum requirements of the building regulations.
Find out more and apply for a regularisation certificate

How much does it 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 our building control quote form.

Work to higher-risk buildings

Who oversees higher-risk buildings? 

The new building control process for higher-risk buildings in England came into force on 1 October 2023. From this date the building control authority for higher-risk buildings is the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Any new building work in-scope of the higher-risk regime can no longer be overseen by local authority or private sector building control. 

The BSR will be the building control authority for higher-risk buildings, in particular:
 •     the construction of a new higher-risk building
 •     building work to an existing higher-risk building
 •     any work that causes a non-higher-risk building to become a higher-risk building, including material change of use
 •     any work relating to a higher-risk building that causes it to cease to be such a building. 

From 1 October 2023, you must send a building control approval application to the regulator following the process outlined in the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023.

As outlined above, the definition of higher-risk building for the design and construction part of the higher-risk regime is provided by section 120D of the Building Act 1984 and the Higher-Risk Building (Descriptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 2023.

See the Guidance on the criteria for being a higher-risk building
 

What type of work is exempt from the building regulations

Examples of exempt work can include:

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

More detailed guidance on exemptions can be found on the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) website.