f.a.q

We submit your building regulations applications to the local authority. In the main this involves drafting plans, and when necessary adding structural calculations. Other reports and specifications may also be required, such as fire suppression specs, noise level reports, foundation requirements, and tree assessments, depending on your proposal.

We are often asked if we can back date submissions. The short answer is, 'yes' and often as not it requires local authority engagement. In some instances, works may have to be revealed for evidential reasons.

When you sell your house the conveyancing process requires the seller to demonstrate that there are no problems with the property and that all alterations or additions have been built in compliance.
The seller must fill out various forms, one of them is, The Law Society's Property Information Form. Section 4 of the form concerns alterations, planning, and building control.

Section 4.2 says:

(a) please supply copies of the planning permissions, Building Regulations approvals and Completion Certificates, OR:
(b) if none were required, please explain why these were not required – e.g. permitted development rights applied or the work was exempt from Building Regulations:

We would simply say that trying to sell your home without providing a certificate will be difficult and may well affect the price.

Building Regulations or 'Regs' are a set of rules governing how a building is put together. Planning Permission is about what design can be built. Building Regulations is about how that design is built.

When Building Regulations are complied with, a Building Certificate is awarded.

All structures - flats, offices, new houses, extensions and even loft conversions have to be built to the necessary Building Regulations - fourteen standards that cover everything from drainage to insulation.

They are different to Planning Permission which relates to the design and aesthetics of a building.

Both types of building control have their pro's and con's. Local authorities are non-profit, whereas licensed inspectors tend to be privately owned entities; they can be more expensive, therefore.

For this reason they may try to offer a more personalised and faster service. This can be the case where certain local authorities, such as Central London councils have large multi employee departments.

That said, smaller provincial councils tend not to have this problem and their service can be just as prompt.

Some private inspectors may offer a more flexible solution to construction problems, but some clients prefer to have a council certificate as a 'badge' when it comes to selling.  There really is no hard and fast rule. Each case is different. Try to think about which is more applicable for your specific project.

Building Control is the local authority department that oversees the submission of building regulation applications. Building control inspectors check the construction method is continuing in compliance with the plans and documents that have been submitted.