Building regulations apply to most new buildings and certain alterations. As well as building regulations you may also need planning permission so make sure you check with your local planning department first.
They can also apply when the use of a building is changed. In general, most building work needs formal approval..
Our homeowner webinar here, explains about the separate planning and building control application processes and what types of projects they are needed for.
Types of work that need approval
- erection of a new building
- re-erection of an existing building
- extension of a building
- material alteration or change of use of a building
- installation, alteration or extension of a controlled service or fitting to a building - for example a new boiler or new external window.
Examples
- home extensions such as for a kitchen, bedroom, lounge or loft conversions
- internal structural alterations, such as the removal of a load-bearing wall or partition
- installation of baths, showers, WCs which involve new drainage or waste plumbing
- installation of new heating appliances
- new chimneys or flues
- underpinning of foundations
- alterations that affect the building's means of escape or fire precautions
- altered openings for new windows in roofs or walls
- repairing or replacing more than 25% of the surface area of a roof
- installation of cavity wall insulation
- erection of new buildings that are not exempt from building regulations
- access improvements for disabled people
- replacement windows and doors
- electric installations such as installing a new consumer unit or a new electric shower unit.