Methods of Applying for Building Regulations Approval
There are two methods of applying for Building Regulations - the ‘Building
Notice’ or the ‘Full Plans’ method.
Full Plans Procedure
Detailed plans are submitted, and are checked for compliance with the
Building Regulations. If the plans are unsatisfactory, we will provide a list of changes required for
you or your agent, in order that amended plans can be designed to ensure compliance; an approval can
then be issued. Work is checked as it progresses on site to ensure that it is in accordance with
the approved plans. This method MUST be used for the following:
- All non-domestic work.
- Where any wall of a new building, or extension of an existing building will be located
within 3 metres from the centre line of any public sewer.
Advantages
- The plans are approved before work commences. Providing your builder works
in accordance with these plans, you are assured that the Building Regulations will be satisfied. Although
it may seem expensive to have plans drawn up, in our experience, it often works out more cost effective
long term - if work is checked as it progresses on site with the Building Notice application, the Building
Control Officers often have to ask for work to be rectified.
- The plans enable the builder to formulate their estimates more accurately, reducing the
likelihood of unforeseen ‘extras’ later on.
- An approval notice can be presented to financial institutions, solicitors, surveyors and
so on when seeking loans or moving home. The Approval Notice, along with the Completion Certificate,
should be kept in a safe place.
Disadvantages
- There are no disadvantages. However, it is in your interest to ensure that
your application is submitted for approval well in advance of your intended start date. This ensures
that your builder is working to an approved plan as soon as work commences.
Click
here for Full Plans Form
Building Notice Procedure
This is suitable only for minor, domestic projects. Detailed plans are
not required. The work is checked for compliance as it progresses on site. If any of the work does not
comply, it would be necessary to correct it.
Although we cannot insist, we would
strongly recommend
that the Building
Notice is not used for
anything other than minor work.
Advantages
- Detailed plans are not normally requested
- Work can commence almost as soon as the application is submitted, providing that you notify
us.
Disadvantages
- The Building Notice cannot be used for non-domestic works, or where a proposal
to build a new building or extend an existing building falls within 3m of the line of a public sewer.
- You will not have the guidance of an approved plan and designing as you build can lead
to errors. Although it may seem expensive to have plans drawn up for a ‘Full Plans’ application, in
our experience, it is very often more cost effective in the long term.
- When necessary, we may still request plans and structural calculations.
- If you are proposing an extension or loft conversion, having detailed plans drawn may
be the only way to determine whether the work will produce the layout and space you envisage. We would
strongly recommend the Full Plans procedure for this type of work where the regulations are more demanding.
- This method cannot be used for non-domestic work.
- Mortgage and finance lending agencies may require an approved plan.
Click
here for Building Notice Form
Additional Building Regulation forms are available as
follows:
Regularisation Application
Required for retrospective approval where works have been completed
over 12 months (please use the Full Plans or Building Notice where works have been completed within
the last 12 months).
Click here for Regularisation Form
Replacement Windows
Required for replacement windows where the work has not been undertaken
by a FENSA approved installer on domestic properties, or where the replacement windows are in relation
to a non-domestic property.
Click here for Replacement Window Form
Domestic Electrical Alterations Form
Required for certain electrical adaptations to domestic properties (please
refer to our guidance note ‘Domestic Electrical Alterations’)
Click here for Domestic Electrical Installations Form