In general, most building work needs formal approval. The type of work covered includes the following:
Domestic premises
- New dwellings
- Detached garages (more than 30m2)
- Change of use to dwelling
- Structural alterations
- Cavity fill
- Unvented hot water systems
- Replacement windows - find out more for information on building regulations for replacement windows
- Electrical installations.
Non-domestic premises
- New dwellings
- Extensions to buildings
- Structural alterations
- Certain changes of use
- Cavity fill
- Unvented hot water systems
- Replacement windows - find out more for information on Building regulations for replacement windows.
Typical examples of work needing approval
- Home extensions, such as for a kitchen, bedroom, and lounge
- Loft conversions
- Internal alterations such as the removal of a load bearing wall or partition or the installation of baths, showers or WCs, which involves new drainage
- New chimneys or flues
- Underpinning of foundations
- Altered openings for new windows in roofs or walls
- Replacing roof coverings unless exactly "like for like" repair
- Replacement windows
- Installation of cavity insulation
- Erection of new buildings that are not exempt
- Works on commercial premises that would alter the means of escape.
It is important that you do not go ahead with any building work before investigating any need for building regulation approval for planning permission. You may be forced to put things right later. You may even have to remove an unauthorised building.