Building Regulations
UK statutory standards that set minimum requirements for the design, construction, and alteration of buildings, covering structural safety, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility.
Building regulations are the UK’s national standards for building work. They ensure that construction and renovation work is safe, energy-efficient, and accessible. Unlike planning permission (which controls what you can build), building regulations control how the work is done.
When building regulations apply
Building regulations apply to most building work, including:
- Extensions and additions
- Structural alterations (removing walls, adding steels)
- Loft conversions
- New or replacement windows and external doors
- Electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms
- Plumbing and drainage changes
- New heating systems or boiler replacements
- Changes to fire escape routes
The approval process
There are two routes to building regulations approval:
- Full plans application — submit detailed plans before work starts. The local authority checks them and inspects at key stages. More upfront effort but more certainty.
- Building notice — notify the local authority 48 hours before work starts. No plan check, but inspectors still visit. Suitable for straightforward work.
Some work can be certified by competent person schemes — registered installers who can self-certify their work (e.g., Gas Safe for gas work, registered electricians for electrical work).
Completion certificate
When your project passes its final inspection, you receive a completion certificate confirming the work complies with building regulations. Keep this safe — you’ll need it when selling your property.