When it comes to extending a home, converting an existing structure, or developing new homes, the Building Regulations drawings package is a critical component of the entire process. Without detailed Building Regulations drawings, regardless of how good your design is, the success of your project will suffer.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the best practices for preparing Building Regulations drawings, their purpose, and how to easily obtain Building Regulations approval.

You will gain an understanding of the significance of Building Regulations approval and the implications for your project. Additionally, you will learn the best practices for obtaining Building Regulations approval and the types of Building Regulations drawings that must be submitted.

What are Building Regulations?

Building Regulations are standards that apply to all structures to ensure their safety for occupants and visitors. The Building Regulations include a series of Approved Documents that detail the technical requirements for construction work. The Approved Documents include the following:

• Structure
• Fire Protection
• Site preparation and contaminant and moisture resistance
• Toxic Substances
• Resistance to sound transmission
• Ventilation
• Sanitation, hot water safety, and water efficiency
• Sewage and Drainage
• Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
• Fall, collision, and impact protection
• Fuel and energy conservation
• Building access and use
• Glazing Safety
• Electrical Safety
• Security
• Physical infrastructure for networks of high-speed electronic communications
• Materials and workmanship

Simply put, Building Regulations govern the technical and constructional details of building work to protect the health and safety of those who work in and around the structure.

Everything you need to know about Building Regulations Drawings

The Building Regulations cover the majority of new constructions and numerous alterations to existing structures. To demonstrate that your project complies with Building Regulations, you must submit your Building Regulations drawings to Building Control for approval.

Your architect should prepare your Building Regulations application drawings as per the Approved Documents’ technical requirements. By designing your project following Building Regulations, you can ensure that your structure:

• is safe for those who enter it and those who surround it;

• meets the required standard of comfort and living;

• will be of high quality.

For those who are unfamiliar, Building Regulations approval is not synonymous with Planning Permission. Planning permission and Building Regulations Approval (Building Control) are two distinct pieces of legislation. At times, you may require both; at other times, you may require only one; or none at all.

Comparison between Planning drawings and Building Regulations Drawings

Before proceeding, it is necessary to understand the distinction between Planning Permission and Building Regulations. Allow us to explain…

Planning permission governs the fundamentals of development, determining whether the project complies with local and national policies, whereas Building Regulations govern the structural and technical aspects of the project.

Because planning and building control legislation are distinct, it should not be assumed that one grants consent for the other. At the planning stage, drawings will not cover all of the requirements necessary to comply with Building Regulations.

Planning drawings are used to communicate the scope of work to the local planning department, typically emphasizing the appearance and layout of the proposal, with a particular emphasis on the proposed materials and major features of the building. Construction methods and details are not depicted in this set of drawings and will not be considered during the planning process.

Building Regulations drawings, on the other hand, are much more detailed than planning drawings, illustrating construction methods and details throughout the drawing package.

Additionally, the drawing package will include drawings, calculations, and specifications from your structural engineer demonstrating that your proposed works comply with all applicable Building Regulations.

Do I require approval under the Building Regulations?

The majority of structural work – whether for new houses or apartments, alterations, extensions, or changes of use – requires approval under Building Regulations.

The following is a list of projects that require compliance with Building Regulations:

• All new structures, except for agricultural structures

• Garages other than detached garages that are less than 15 square meters; or less than 30 square meters and are located at least 1 meter from a boundary or are constructed of non-combustible materials

• All additions to buildings, regardless of their size or complexity

• Conversions of lofts, roof additions, balconies, and roof terraces

• Extensions to basements

• All garage conversions, regardless of size

• Conversions of barns

• Conversions of flats (subdividing a dwelling into several flats)

• Converting flats into single-family homes

• Alterations to structural elements, including load-bearing walls

• Alterations to non-bearing walls that separate a room from a hall, staircase, or landing are permitted.

Additionally, you may require Building Regulations approval for a few other projects depending on what the project entails.

How to Obtain Approval for Building Regulations?

Instead of obtaining approval from local authorities, the government has enacted legislation authorizing private Approved Inspectors to inspect work requiring Building Regulations approval. You have the option of utilizing any type of Building Control body on your project.

If you employ an Approved Inspector rather than the local authority’s Building Control service, your Approved Inspector is responsible for submitting an ‘Initial Notice’ to the local authority before work commencing on site. Within five working days of receipt, your local authority will verify the details of the Initial Notice.

A Building Regulations application can be made in one of two ways: through a Full Plans Building Control application or the submission of a Building Notice notification.

A Full Plans application will include detailed Building Regulations plans and a complete specification of the construction details, as well as the application fee. In other words, you must submit a set of detailed Building Regulations drawings before construction begins on-site, detailing the technical legislation that your project complies with.

Alternatively, if you are performing minor work on a domestic structure, you may use a Building Notice. Generally, a Building Notice application does not require the submission of detailed Building Regulations plans or detailed construction specifications.

However, you will not receive the protection and reassurance that a Full Plans application provides, and the entire process of ensuring your work complies with the Building Regulations will take place during the site inspection stages.

While submitting a Building Notice rather than a Full Plans Building Control application may sound appealing, paying for official Building Regulations drawings that comply with the requirements and ensuring your project is approved is well worth the investment.

If the Building Control department or an approved inspector determines that your project does not meet the requirements, this can be amended before beginning construction.

When applying via the Full Plans route and the application is denied, there is also an opportunity to appeal, which is not available with a building notice application.

Building Regulations Extension Plans

Extension drawings submitted with your Building Regulations application should include the following information:

• Structure
• Fire protection
• Insulation against noise
• Ventilation
• Drainage
• Design and installation of electrical systems
• Design and installation of mechanical systems

Building Regulations Loft Conversion Plans

Your Building Regulations approval drawings for loft additions should include the same information as that of the Building Regulations Extension plans mentioned above.

If you intend to convert your loft to add a new bedroom, your Building Regulations drawings for the loft conversion should include the required minimum ceiling height of 2.2m.

Building Regulations for Conversion and New Construction Plans

Your package of Building Regulations drawings for conversions, such as converting a dwelling house into a flat, should also include the same information as that of Building Regulations Extension plans earlier mentioned.

For instance, if you are converting a house into several self-contained flats, your Building Regulations plans should include detailed information about escape routes, insulation, and ventilation.

Building Regulations New Construction Plans should include the same information as that of Building Regulations Extension plans earlier mentioned plus energy-related data.

As with property conversions, if you are constructing new dwellings, your Building Regulations drawings should include detailed drawings of the means of escape, insulation, and ventilation.

How Long Is the Building Regulations Approval Process?

When you submit a Full Plans Building Control application, the Building Control body is required to decide within five weeks of receipt of your application. Or, if both parties agree, up to a maximum of two months.

Work may begin on-site before receiving the approval notice, but you must notify the Building Control body that approval has been sought before commencing larger on-site works. If your project does not comply with certain regulations for any reason, plans can be amended before construction begins without incurring additional construction costs.

What Is the Cost of a Building Regulations Application?

There is no uniform fee structure for Building Regulations approval across the country. Each private inspector has the right to charge a different fee.

How Much Do Drawings for Building Regulations Cost?

Building Regulations drawings typically cost between £1,000 and £15,000 for home improvement projects. It begins at 3% of the construction cost for new developments. Of course, this is contingent upon who you work with and the level of service they provide.

Areas we cover for Building regulation drawings

• Building Regulation Drawings Brookmans Park
• Building Regulation Drawings Potters Bar
• Building Regulation Drawings Welham Green
• Building Regulation Drawings North Mymms
• Building Regulation Drawings South Mymms
• Building Regulation Drawings Barnet
• Building Regulation Drawings Hertford
• Building Regulation Drawings Little Berkhamstead
• Building Regulation Drawings Epping Green
• Building Regulation Drawings Essendon
• Building Regulation Drawings Bell Bar
• Building Regulation Drawings Friern Barnet
• Building Regulation Drawings Southgate
• Building Regulation Drawings Palmers Green
• Building Regulation Drawings Winchmore Hill
• Building Regulation Drawings Enfield
• Building Regulation Drawings Cheshunt
• Building Regulation Drawings Goffs Oak
• Building Regulation Drawings St Albans
• Building Regulation Drawings Radlett
• Building Regulation Drawings Harpenden
• Building Regulation Drawings Finchley
• Building Regulation Drawings East Finchley
• Building Regulation Drawings North Finchley
• Building Regulation Drawings Hampstead
• Building Regulation Drawings West Hampstead
• Building Regulation Drawings Belsize Park
• Building Regulation Drawings St John Woos
• Building Regulation Drawings Cricklewood
• Building Regulation Drawings Park Royal
• Building Regulation Drawings Burnt Oak
• Building Regulation Drawings Woodgreen
• Building Regulation Drawings Tottenham
• Building Regulation Drawings Walthamstow
• Building Regulation Drawings Tottenham Hale
• Building Regulation Drawings Islington
• Building Regulation Drawings Maida Vale
• Building Regulation Drawings Kilburn
• Building Regulation Drawings Mayfair
• Building Regulation Drawings Soho
• Building Regulation Drawings Covent Garden
• Building Regulation Drawings Kensington
• Building Regulation Drawings Paddington
• Building Regulation Drawings Belgravia
• Building Regulation Drawings Victoria
• Building Regulation Drawings Green park
• Building Regulation Drawings Paddington
• Building Regulation Drawings Camden Town
• Building Regulation Drawings Primrose Hill
• Building Regulation Drawings Highbury
• Building Regulation Drawings Archway
• Building Regulation Drawings Muswell Hill
• Building Regulation Drawings Arnos Grove
• Building Regulation Drawings Cockfosters
• Building Regulation Drawings Hatfield
• Building Regulation Drawings London Colney
• Building Regulation Drawings Welwyn Garden City