Building regulations: common projects

Guidance and services

• Building regulations: adverts and signs
  Domestic adverts and signs are not normally subject to building control.
• Building regulations: basements
  Building regulations apply.
• Building regulations: biomass fuelled appliances
  If you wish to install a biomass appliance, building regulations apply.
• Building regulations: boilers and heating
  If a heating system or hot water system is to be replaced then an application may not be required, and, if it is required, it may not be necessary to apply in advance of carrying out the work.
• Building regulations: ceilings and floors
  Where more than 25 per cent of a ceiling below a cold loft space or flat roof is being replaced then building regulations would normally apply, and the thermal insulation of that ceiling would normally have to be improved.
• Building regulations: change of use
  The building regulations may apply to certain changes of use of an existing building even though you may think that the work involved in the project will not amount to 'Building Work'.
• Building regulations: conservatories
  Building regulations will generally apply if you want to build an extension to your home.
• Building regulations: decking
  Building Regulations should be assumed to apply to every deck structure requiring planning permission.
• Building regulations: decorations
  Any internal decorating such as wallpapering, new skirting boards or painting will not normally require approval under the Building Regulations.
• Building regulations: demolition
  Demolition is dealt with under the Building Act 1984. Generally, it requires six weeks prior notice to be given to the Local Authority Building Control before demolition begins.
• Building regulations: doors and windows
  Since 1 April 2002 building regulations have applied to all replacement glazing.
• Building regulations: drains and sewers
  This section has been written for homeowners who may be considering building an extension or making alterations.
• Building regulations: electrics
  If you are carrying out electrical work in your home or garden in England and Wales, you will have to follow new rules in the Building Regulations.
• Building regulations: extensions
  Most extensions of properties require approval under the Building Regulations.
• Building regulations: external walls
  If you want to re-render or replace timber cladding to external walls, building regulations may apply depending on the extent of the work.
• Building regulations: fascias
  Replacing fascia board or soffit will not normally need building regulations approval.
• Building regulations: fences, gates and garden walls
  Fences, walls and gates do not require building regulation approval.
• Building regulations: flats and maisonettes
  The planning regime for flats and maisonettes differs in many important ways to that which covers houses.
• Building regulations: flue, chimney or soil and vent pipe
  If you wish to install a flue, building regulations apply.
• Building regulations: flues for biomass and combined heat and power systems (non-domestic)
  If you wish to install a flue building regulations apply.
• Building regulations: fuel tanks
  The installation of a fuel tank should meet the necessary building regulations requirements.
• Building regulations: garage conversion
  The conversion of a garage, or part of a garage, into habitable space will normally require approval under the Building Regulations.
• Building regulations: gate ornaments
  Fences, walls and gates do not require building regulation approval.
• Building regulations: heat pumps
  Installation of either a ground source or air source heat pump will have to comply with the Building Regulations.
• Building regulations: heat pumps (non-domestic)
  Installation of either a ground source or air source heat pump will have to comply with building regulations.
• Building regulations: hydro electricity
  If you wish to install a small scale hydro facility, building regulations will normally apply to aspects of the work such as electrical installation.
• Building regulations: insulation
  Insulation has to comply to the relevant building regulations both when installed during construction or when fitted retrospectively.
• Building regulations: internal walls
  If you wish to build a new internal wall, remove an internal wall, or form an opening in an internal wall, building regulations will normally apply.
• Building regulations: kitchens and bathrooms
  Work to refit a kitchen or bathroom with new units and fittings does not generally require building regulations approval, although drainage or electrical works that form part of the refit may require approval under the building regulations.
• Building regulations: lighting
  If you are carrying out electrical work and fixing lighting to the outside of your house in England and Wales, you will have to follow new building regulations rules.
• Building regulations: loft conversions
  Building regulations approval is required to convert a loft or attic into a liveable space.
• Building regulations: micro-combined heat and power
  The 'Low or Zero Carbon Energy Sources: Strategic Guide (LZC)' supports the inclusion of low or zero carbon energy sources in Part L of the Building Regulation and Approved Documents L1A, L1B, L2A and 2B. Chapter 4 deals with micro-CHP.
• Building regulations: outbuildings
  If you want to put up small detached buildings such as a garden shed or summerhouse in your garden, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15 square metres and contains no sleeping accommodation.
• Building regulations: patio and driveway
  Generally a new driveway or patio area does not require building regulations approval.
• Building regulations: paving your front garden
  Building Regulations do not generally apply.
• Building regulations: porches
  Building a porch at ground level and under 30 square metres in floor area is normally exempt from the need for building regulation approval.
• Building regulations: roof
  If you want to carry out repairs on or re-cover less than 25 per cent of the area of a pitch or flat roof, you will not normally need to submit a building regulations application.
• Building regulations: satellite, tv and radio antenna
  Building regulations do not generally apply but you should take care that the installation is safe and the fixing point stable.
• Building regulations: shops
  The regulations define converting a home into a shop as a 'material change of use' and specify the requirements with which, as a result of that change of use, the building, or the relevant part of the building, must comply.
• Building regulations: solar panels
  If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply.
• Building regulations: solar panels (non-domestic)
  If you wish to install a solar panel on your roof building regulations will normally apply.
• Building regulations: trees and hedges
  Building regulations do not apply to trees and hedges but foundations can be affected by tree roots and soil moisture.
• Building regulations: underpinning
  If you need to underpin all or part of the foundations of your building, building regulations apply.
• Building regulations: warehouses and industrial buildings
  The building regulations will generally apply to all work (new buildings, extensions and alterations).
• Building regulations: wind turbines
  Building regulations apply to other aspects of the work such as electrical installation.
• Building regulations: working from home
  The regulations do not define this particular change of use as 'material'.