Building Regulations explained
As a homeowner, before you construct or change a building in certain ways you must check if you need building regulations approval.
Building regulations are technical standards set by the Government to make sure homes are built to reasonable standard and are safe, warm and dry. They also cover areas like fire safety, energy consumption and accessibility.
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. You might need both. This will depend on the scale and extent of your project. There is information about planning permission on the website.
Most building work, including all types of extensions and conversions, need to comply with the building regulations. Some minor works that can be carried out without the need to inform your local authority building control team. These include:
- most repairs
- replacements and maintenance work (except replacements of combustion appliances, oil tanks, electrical fuse boxes or glazing units, which do need to be notified)
- additional power points or lighting points or any other alterations to existing circuits (except around baths and showers)
- like for like replacements of baths, toilets, basins or sinks.
Other types of building work can be exempt from the building regulations. These include:
- sheds
- summerhouses
- conservatories
- porches
- satellite dishes
- detached garages and carports
However, before these can be declared exempt they have to meet certain criteria. If you are unsure, proposals can be checked over by your local authority building control team.
Unless the work you propose is exempt, you will need approval from the local authority building control team. There’s more guidance on:
