There are two ways in which you can give notice that you are going to carry out building work. The first method is known as a full plans application and involves providing detailed plans and specifications for the work. The second method is known as the building notice procedure and simply involves giving details on the building notice form and providing a block plan. Full plans application
An application needs to contain plans and other information showing all construction details. Your application will be thoroughly checked and you will usually receive a decision within five weeks. If we have to extend this deadline we will let you know.
Building notice
The building notice is more appropriate for minor works. However, it cannot be used as a shop, office, hotel boarding house, workplace, certain types of factory or if a public sewer is close to the property.
A building notice allows you to carry out works without the need to prepare full plans. However, you will not have an approved set of plans for a builder to follow.
You can submit a full plans application or give a building notice, depending on the scale and type of work you wish to do.
How to apply
An application form is available to download, see 'Read more' on the right of this page.
You can also make an application on-line by clicking on the 'Apply Online' link on the right of this page. If you apply on-line you can save and amend draft applications until you are ready to send a final application. Once you have arrived at the new page please scroll to the bottom and you will see a list of three building regulations forms to chose from.
Charges
Charges vary according to the type of work you want to do. You do not have to pay for some works - for example, if you want to provide disabled access or facilities.
If you are making a full plans application, you will pay part of the fee when you submit the application and the remainder when the work starts. If you are making a building notice the full fee is due when the notice is submitted.
Charges information can be found on the building regulations applications form - see 'Read more' or please contact us if you would like more details.
Certification
When the work is finished we will issue a completion certificate (provided all inspections have been carried out). The certificate confirms that the requirements of the regulations have been satisfied and is a valuable and important document. If a completion certificate is not issued you could have problems when selling your property or if you want to change your mortgage.
What happens if I do not get building approval?
If you have carried out work without obtaining building regulations approval you can apply for a regularisation certificate. This is similar to submitting full plans, but takes place after the building work has been done. Without approval we may prosecute. However, this is not something we like to do and is usually the last option we consider.