Building Regulations

What Are Building Regulations?

Once planning matters are dealt with, the next stage is ensuring that your project can be built safely and legally. This is where the Building Regulations come in.

Building Regulations are national standards that cover how a building must be constructed. They deal with things like:

• Structural safety
• Fire protection
• Energy efficiency
• Ventilation
• Drainage and waste systems
• Accessibility

Every building project, from extensions to loft conversions, must meet these standards.

How the System Has Changed

In recent years, the Building Regulations system has been significantly updated, largely in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The aim is to improve safety, accountability and quality across the construction industry.

Under the new rules:

• The Client, Designer, and Builder each have legal responsibilities (known as dutyholder roles)
• Compliance must be actively demonstrated, not assumed
• Building Control’s role is to check and verify, not to take responsibility for the design

We guide you through these requirements and ensure your project is designed and built in line with the Regulations.

Who Is Responsible for Compliance?

Although Building Control will review drawings and carry out site inspections, the responsibility for compliance lies with:

• You, the Client
• The Principal Designer (often your architect)
• The Principal Contractor (your builder)

We can act as your Principal Designer, helping you meet your duties and ensuring the design complies with the Regulations.

Submitting to Building Control

Before work starts, detailed technical drawings and specifications must be submitted to a Building Control body. They will:

• Review the design
• Issue comments or required amendments
• Carry out inspections during construction
• Issue a Completion Certificate once the work is compliant

We prepare all the necessary drawings and liaise directly with Building Control on your behalf.

Local Authority or Private Building Control?

Unlike Planning Permission, you can choose who provides your Building Control service. There are two options:

1. Local Authority Building Control (LABC)

Your local council’s Building Control department.

2. Private Building Control (Registered Building Control Approvers)

Independent companies authorised to carry out the same checks.

Both routes are valid. Private inspectors often offer faster turnaround times, while Local Authority inspectors may be preferred for more complex or sensitive projects. We can advise which option is best for your project.

How We Help

We take care of the entire Building Regulations process, including:

• Preparing detailed construction drawings
• Coordinating with structural engineers and other specialists
• Submitting the Building Regulations application
• Responding to Building Control queries
• Supporting your builder during construction
• Ensuring the project is signed off at completion

Our goal is to make the process smooth, compliant and stress‑free.