A householders guide to building control - St Albans City & District ...

PH30
A Householder’s What is Building Guide Control to
Building Control: FAQs
Building Control
Advisory Leaflet

A HOUSEHOLDER’S GUIDE TO
BUILDING CONTROL:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I use Building Control?
You are required by law to have your work inspected to ensure that
it complies with the minimum standard of the Building Regulations
(more information on the Building Regulations is available on
www.planningportal.gov.uk and www.communities.gov.uk).
What are the Building Regulations?
The Building Regulations are legal requirements that set
performance standards in the design and construction of buildings.
The main purpose of the Regulations is to safeguard the health and
safety of people in or around buildings. They also incorporate
measures to ensure energy efficiency, and access and facilities for
disabled people.
Who administers Building Regulations?
St Albans City & District Council’s Building Control section performs
this role. Highly qualified and experienced teams of surveyors will
examine plans and carry out site inspections of works in progress.
Their extensive knowledge of materials and construction methods
and local conditions is available to you at all stages of the
construction process.
What is the difference between Building Control and
Development Control?
Building Control is the process by which any new building work is
checked to ensure that it is designed and built to exacting standards
laid down in the Building Regulations. Development Control is the
section of the planning department responsible for determining
whether or not the proposed works are appropriate for the site
concerned. You may need to apply to Development Control for
planning permission in addition to making an application to Building
Control.
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How do I make an application to Building Control?
You can make an application in two ways, either by submitting Full
Plans or a Building Notice. Please see our leaflet, Advice on
Building Regulation Applications, or contact Building Control on
01727 819289 for further information.
Do I have to pay the Local Authority anything when I make an
application?
Yes, the Local Authority are obliged to make a charge for the work
of administering the Regulations at the plan and inspection stages.
The total charge will be the same for either a Full Plans or Building
Notice application. However, with Full Plans part will be payable on
submission of the plans and the rest will be payable after work
commences. With a Building Notice, the whole of the fee is payable
on application. The fees for both vary, depending on the scale of
the works involved. The scale of charges is available from the
Customer Service Centre at the Council offices and on our website:
www.stalbans.gov.uk.
What do I do if I need general advice on a building project?
You can visit us at St Albans City and District Council, District
Council Offices, St Peter’s Street, St Albans or telephone 01727
819289. Building Control staff are available for consultation
between the hours of 9am and 10.30am and 3.15pm and 4.45pm
on weekdays, and at other times by prior appointment. General
information is also available on our website: www.stalbans.gov.uk.
Can I draw the plans myself?
Yes, but it is not a good idea unless you have experience and are
fully conversant with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
When can I start work?
You may start work after you have submitted either a Building
Notice or a Full Plans application and at least two days’ notice has
been given of your intention to commence work (preferably in
writing).
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Either you or your builder should then notify us at each of the
stages listed below (where appropriate):
foundation excavations prior to concreting;
foundation concrete;
oversite (ground floor) prior to concreting;
damp proof course prior to covering;
foul water drainage prior to backfilling;
surface water drainage prior to backfilling;
drains ready for testing;
occupation prior to completion;
completion of works.
The surveyor may also request notification at other stages of the
work that is not specifically included within the Regulations, for
example roof timbers.
The above statutory framework for inspections is obviously not
appropriate for all types of work. For example, in the case of loft
conversions, after the commencement visit inspections of the
structural elements will normally be required prior to covering up.
What do I do on completion?
When your work is finished you should contact Building Control to
arrange a final inspection. Once they have confirmed that your work
meets the required standards, they will be pleased to issue you with
a completion certificate.
Do I need approval to build an extension to my house?
Yes, but certain porches, carports, conservatories and detached
garages are exempt from Building Regulations, although Planning
Permission may be required. Contact your Building Control
Surveyor for more advice or see our leaflets Conservatories,
Porches and Greenhouses and Domestic Garages.
Do I need approval for the conversion of the loft space?
Yes, the loft space conversion will need to comply with the Building
Regulations in terms of structural strength, fire safety, safety of the
stairs and sound insulation. You may also require planning
permission and if the project is subject to the Party Wall Act, you
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may also be required to give adjoining neighbours notice.
Do I need approval to make internal alterations to my house?
Yes, if any form of structural alteration is intended (ie removal of a
load-bearing wall, joist, beam or chimney breast). Also an
application would be required if there are any proposals to alter or
provide new drainage or alterations affecting fire safety or means of
escape.
Do I need approval to replace the windows in my house?
Yes, if you are replacing the whole of the fixed frame and opening
parts. If your installer is FENSA registered, you will not need to
involve Building Control, although your installer will need to provide
the local authority with a certificate that the work complies with the
Building Regulations. Unregistered installers will need to make a
Building Regulations application using a ‘Replacement Windows’
application form. If you are only replacing glass or certain rotten
sections of the sashes or frames, you will not normally need to
involve Building Control. However, if your building is listed or in a
conservation area, you should check with Building Control first.
Do I need approval for repair work to my house?
Generally no, providing this is of a minor nature (ie replacing roof
tiles with the same type and weight of tile, re-felting a flat roof, repointing
brickwork or replacing floorboards). However, if there are
proposals to add or alter drainage, then an application will be
necessary. Please note that if your house is listed, you are likely to
require Listed Building Consent for certain repair work. Contact your
Building Control service for advice if in any doubt.
Do I need approval to re-tile my roof?
Yes, but only if the new tiles are substantially different in weight
from the existing ones.
Do I need approval to convert my house into flats?
Yes. You will also require planning permission.
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Do I need approval to convert part of my home into an office?
No, provided the works will not affect the structure of the building,
the means of escape or affect the access to or use of the building.
Do I need approval to erect a detached garage?
Yes, unless it is situated more than one metre from your boundary
or is constructed substantially of non-combustible material and in
either case does not exceed 30m 2 in floor area. It must also be
single-storey and contain no sleeping accommodation.
Do I need approval to convert an integral or attached garage
into habitable use?
Yes. You may also require planning permission.
Do I need approval for a greenhouse, summerhouse or garden
shed?
No, provided the summerhouse or shed does not exceed 30m 2 in
floor area and is either more than one metre from your boundary or
constructed of non-combustible material. Greenhouses are
generally exempt from Building Regulations. However, any fixed
electrical installations must comply with the Building Regulations.
Do I need approval for a garden or boundary wall?
No, but you may need planning permission depending on the height
and location of the wall. You may also need to give your neighbour
notice under The Party Wall Act.
Do I need approval to insert cavity wall insulation?
Yes. You are required to submit a Building Notice. The supplier will
normally do this for you.
Do I need approval to underpin all or part of my foundations?
Yes, the regulations define this as building work.
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Do I need approval to install or replace a boiler or hot water
cylinder?
Yes. Unless your installer is registered with an appropriate body
such as CORGI or OFTEC, you will need to make an application
using a Building Notice. Gas-fired boilers must always be installed
by a CORGI-registered installer.
Do I need approval to install or replace electric wiring?
Yes, unless you are using a registered installer. If not, you will need
to involve the Building Control service for certain notifiable works.
Please check with Building Control if you are unsure.
Do I need approval to install fittings such as WC, shower,
washbasin or sink?
No, providing the work does not involve alterations to, or new
connections to, a drainage stack or underground drain. Please
check with your Building Control service.
Further information
If you are unsure whether or not your proposed work requires
Building Regulations approval, please contact Building Control on
01727 819289.
This advisory leaflet is intended to be a helpful and useful source of
information and not binding on any party. The Council offers no
guarantee or warranties concerning the accuracy of the information
supplied.
For more information about the contents of this leaflet contact:
Building Control
St Albans City and District Council
St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3JE
Telephone: 01727 819289
Email: buildingcontrol@stalbans.gov.uk
Website: www.stalbans.gov.uk
Produced by St Albans City and District Council
Issued August 2007. PH30(a)
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