Building Regulations

Before starting any building work in England and Wales, you need to make sure you comply with Building Regulations. Set out by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Building Regulations are concerned with the health and safety of people in and around buildings. They apply to nearly all types of new builds and renovation work. Whoever physically carries out the work is responsible for compliance. So if you hire a contractor, it falls to them, or if you’re doing the work, it’s up to you. The owner of the building will be served an enforcement notice if the work doesn’t comply, so it’s definitely a good idea to check compliance before starting.

Some work doesn’t need Building Regulations compliance, but your local council will be able to help you understand which procedures and requirements apply to your project.

You’ll definitely need to comply when:

Constructing a new building
Making a significant change to an existing house or property, such as a roof conversion
Building an extension onto an existing house or property
Altering the purpose of a property, such as converting office space into flats
Fitting services or utilities, such as toilets, new windows or a new heating system

Make sure you enlist the help of your local authority building control service, or the building control service of an improved inspector. Whichever you go for, they’ll check out your project’s compliance. In addition to Building Regulation compliance, you need to make sure you get planning permission from your local council.

Find out more about Building Regulations for England and Wales through the government’s official resource by clicking here.