Building regulations apply to most new buildings and certain alterations. They can also apply when the use of a building is changed. In general, most building work needs formal approval.
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
- Access improvements for disabled people
- Replacement windows and doors
- Electric installations such as installing a new consumer unit or a new electric shower unit
