Building Regulations Approval in London: What You Need to Know
Building Regulations are separate from planning permission and apply to almost all construction work in England, including extensions, loft conversions, structural alterations, electrical installations, and new heating systems. Understanding how they work, what requires approval, and how the inspection process works is essential for any building project.
What Are Building Regulations?
Building Regulations are minimum performance standards set by the government covering:
- Structural safety (Part A)
- Fire safety (Part B)
- Site preparation and resistance to moisture (Part C)
- Toxic substances (Part D)
- Sound insulation (Part E)
- Ventilation (Part F)
- Hygiene (Part G)
- Drainage (Part H)
- Combustion appliances and fuel storage (Part J)
- Protection from falling (Part K)
- Conservation of fuel and power (Part L)
- Access and use (Part M)
- Electrical safety in dwellings (Part P)
- High-speed electronic communications networks (Part R)
- Security (Part Q)
What Work Needs Building Regulations Approval?
Most significant construction works require approval:
- Extensions (all sizes)
- Loft conversions
- Garage conversions
- Structural alterations (removing load-bearing walls, installing beams)
- New electrical installation or significant rewiring
- New boiler or heating system installation
- New bathrooms where plumbing connections to existing soil/drain are made
- Roof replacements (in many cases)
- Cavity wall insulation
Some minor works are exempt — like-for-like repairs, small porches under 30m² — but most substantial works are notifiable.
How to Get Building Regulations Approval
There are two main routes:
Full Plans Application: You submit full working drawings and specifications to Building Control before work starts. Building Control approves the plans and then inspects at defined stages during construction. This provides certainty before spending money on construction.
Building Notice: A simpler notification without full plans approval upfront. Inspections are carried out as work progresses. Suitable for smaller or straightforward projects but provides less pre-start certainty.
Who Can Carry Out Building Control?
You can use:
- Your Local Authority Building Control (LABC) — the council's own Building Control service
- An Approved Inspector (AI) — a private Building Control body registered with CICAIR
Both are legally valid. Private Approved Inspectors can sometimes provide faster responses and more flexible inspection scheduling.
Completion Certificate
When works are complete and all inspections are passed, Building Control issues a Completion Certificate. This is important for future property sales — solicitors routinely ask for evidence of Building Regulations approval and completion for any works undertaken.
RCB Design & Build
RCB Design & Build manages Building Regulations submissions and inspection coordination on all construction projects — ensuring works are notified, inspected, and certified correctly.