How to apply for building regulation approval
It’s a legal requirement for building work to meet the Building Regulations (2010). Building control services, also known as building control bodies, check that the work complies with the Building Regulations and related legislation.
Work that needs to be checked by building control includes extensions, loft and garage conversions, internal alterations, basements, and new buildings.
Changes to building regulations
From Sunday, 1 October 2023, if you're undertaking controlled building work and are either the client, contractor or designer, there are new building regulations which you must comply with.
Before you apply for building regulation approval
Before applying for building regulations approval, you should:
- Check whether the work you want to do needs approval. When is building regulation approval required?
- Watch a YouTube video to get help with home improvements, extensions and alterations (00:02:46).
- Prepare the plans you need to include with your application. If you need someone to draw up plans, you can use one of our building control partners.
Apply for approval over the phone
It's quickest to apply for building regulation approval over the phone.
We can tell you what type of application to make and complete the application form together. You can also pay over the phone at the same time.
Before you ring us, you'll need the following information:
- Your name, address, telephone number and email address.
- Name, address and telephone number of your architect, builder or structural engineer.
- Location of the site.
- Description of the proposed or completed work.
Ring 01706 924327 to apply for building regulations
Other ways you can apply
Alternatively, you can apply for building regulation approval by completing the Building Regulations application form.
You can submit the form by email, post or in person at Number One Riverside.
When you can start work
We strongly recommend that you do not start work until you've received full approval from us.
You're legally entitled to start work 48 hours after we've accepted your application. Builders are expected to have a detailed understanding of the building regulations.
If you start work prior to us approving your application and your building work doesn't comply with the regulations, you'll need to make changes to the work you've done.
Help meeting building regulations
There are several ways to get help with meeting building regulations:
- Download copies of the approved documents - the government has published several approved documents to help you comply with the regulations.
- View our simple guides to meeting building regulations - as the approved documents are complex, we've written some simple guides with drawings covering the most common issues to help.