How to apply for Building Control
You should apply for building control AFTER you have completed the following steps:
- Check whether you need planning permission from your local authority for your build.
- If you do need planning permission, click here for guidance.
- If you find that your build is a permitted development, you do not need planning permission.
- If your property requires a Party Wall Agreement with your neighbour you will need to get one in place before you start your build. Click here for guidance.
- Once you have completed these steps, you can now apply for Building Control.
What is Building Control
Watch the Local Authority Building Control LABC’s explanation in the video below:
How to apply for Building Control
What you will need:
- Drawings of your build from your agent/architect to submit online.
- Structural steel calculations (if you are installing a loft conversion/any form of extension). Speak to your agent/architect as they may be able to recommend someone to you.
- If you have an agent, builder or architect, they may be able to process this application for you.
Follow our guide:
- Contact your local authority here.
- Using the search bar within your local authorities website, type the words “building control“.
- Click on the building control tab. You should now have a variety of options to choose from.
- If it is a new building control application, click “apply for building regulation”.
- You will need to submit drawings and structural steel calculations whilst submitting this application.
- If you need further guidance on how to do this, call the Building Control department of your local authority and a representative will guide you through how to apply. There are private companies that do this, but we recommend from experience that you do this through your own local authority.
- Once you have applied for Building Control, you can now start your build.
How to manage the build with Building Control
Stages of inspection take place throughout the build. At each stage of your build, you will need to contact the Building Control department of your Local Authority to book a site visit. This is so that they can check that you or your builder are building it correctly and safely. Inspections should take place at the following stages of your build (the following stages are a guide only, you should check each stage with your local authority yourself as every build is different):
Ground floor extension
- Foundations
- Drainage
- Damp course on the brickwork
- Damp membrane on the oversight
- Structural steels/beams/lintels/padstones
- Roof structure
- Insulation
- Openings
- Fire proofing
- Completion
Loft Conversions
- Steel inspections
- Fire proofing
- Structural beams
- Roof structure
- Insulation
- Openings
- Fire Doors
- Completion
When the build is complete and it meets the various building regulations, you will be issued with a completion certificate. You should keep this document as you will need it if you decide to sell the property at a later date or for insurance purposes.
How to book a Building Control site visit
- Contact your local authority here.
- Using the search bar within your local authorities website, type the words “building control“.
- Click “book a site visit”. (If you are doing this for the first time, you will need to register with the local authority on the website, then repeat the steps above).
- Enter your properties details.
- Confirm the reason for the site visit
- Select which date you want the visit.
Did not get planning permission or Building Control for your build?
If you did not get planning permission for your build and/or did not have building control site visits throughout your build, watch the video below for guidance on what you can do:
