What is Building Control and How Does it Work?
Title: What is Building Control and How Does It Work? A Homeowner's Guide Target keyword: building control how does it work
Homeowners often confuse Planning Permission and Building Control — they're actually two completely separate approval processes, both of which usually apply to building work. This guide explains what Building Control is, how it works, and what to expect.
What is Building Control?
Building Control is the process by which building work is checked to ensure it meets the standards set by the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended). The Regulations cover:
- Part A: Structural stability (are the loads being carried correctly?)
- Part B: Fire safety (means of escape, fire detection, compartmentation)
- Part C: Site preparation and damp resistance
- Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound
- Part F: Ventilation
- Part L: Conservation of fuel and power (insulation standards)
- Part M: Access and facilities for disabled people
- Part P: Electrical safety in dwellings
Building Control is entirely separate from planning. You can have planning permission but still fail Building Control, and vice versa. You need both.
Who Provides Building Control?
There are two routes:
Local Authority Building Control (LABC): Your local council's Building Control team. Traditional route. They're the ones who will sign off the work with a final certificate.
Approved Inspector: A private company approved to carry out the Building Control function. In practice, for residential work in London, the LABC route is most common.
Since April 2024, following the Building Safety Act 2022, there are new rules for Higher Risk Buildings (over 18m or 7 storeys) — these must use the Building Safety Regulator, not a private inspector. For standard residential extensions and loft conversions, the existing LABC or Approved Inspector routes still apply.
How to Apply
There are two routes for standard residential work:
Full Plans Application: You submit drawings and specifications before work starts. Building Control reviews and approves (or requests amendments). You then build to the approved plans. Inspections happen during the build. Recommended for most structural work.
Building Notice: A simpler form submitted just before or at the start of work. No drawings submitted upfront. The inspector visits at key stages and checks compliance on site. Faster to start, but more risk of discovering compliance issues once work is underway.
At RCB, we typically recommend full plans for loft conversions and extensions — having approved drawings before work starts reduces the risk of having to undo completed work.
What Inspections Happen?
For a loft conversion, typical Building Control inspection stages include:
- Commencement: Notified when work starts
- Excavations: Any new footings are checked before they're poured
- Foundation: Concrete poured, inspected
- Structural: Steelwork, floor joists, and structural elements checked
- Fire: Fire-resistant treatments, doorsets, and compartmentation checked
- Insulation: Wall, roof, and floor insulation before it's covered up
- Drainage: Any new drainage runs checked before backfilling
- Final: Completed work inspected; final certificate issued if compliant
The Final Certificate
When all work is complete and inspected, Building Control issues a Completion Certificate (LABC route) or an Approval Notice (Approved Inspector route). This document is important — you'll need it when you sell the property. Without it, a solicitor may raise a requisition, and you may need to apply for retrospective approval or take out indemnity insurance.
Always make sure your project has a final Building Control sign-off before your contractor leaves site.
At RCB, Building Control coordination is part of our service — we notify Building Control, attend all required inspections, and ensure the project is signed off correctly.
Call 07359 872594 or visit rcbgroup.co.uk.