Your guide on how to comply with UK building regulations

In most cases, extensions and other improvements to a property will require homeowners to comply with building regulations. Without proper knowledge of the requirements, it could result in additional checks and planning that results in massive delays.

Being experienced in home extensions of all shapes and sizes, our home improvement professionals make sure to comply with all relevant building regulations during any project. 

Continue reading to find out what sort of home improvements you can legally make, the process involved in complying with the law, as well as general information on building regulations in the UK.

What are the main UK laws for building regulations?

If you are planning to build a home extension, whether that’s a new bathroom, new kitchen, or extension of another sort, building regulations are likely to apply. This enforces additional responsibility on the third party carrying out the work to ensure it complies with any applicable requirements. The goal of these regulations is to make sure any renovations and alterations to existing buildings are completed in a way that’s safe, without compromising the energy efficiency and healthy environment inside the building.

Building regulations in the UK contain various parts each dedicated to a specific area of construction. There are regulations relating to the structure of the building, fire safety, insulation, electrical safety, the drains, and more. Depending on the nature of your project and the work you’re having carried out, building regulations could affect it in a number of ways. As the homeowner, you’re the one who could be served with an enforcement notice if the work doesn’t comply. That’s why it’s so important to use reputable craftspeople.

Approved Documents within building regulations

There are different parts within UK building regulations that have an effect on new builds, non-domestic properties, and property renovations. Some of the key areas include:

• Part F – Ventilation. The building must have good airflow, with testing being carried out to check the levels throughout. 
• Part G – Sanitation, hot water safety, and water efficiency. This document is to assess the predicted impact on water consumption as a result of the work.
• Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power. Any changes to windows, doors, and walls in the building must comply with energy efficiency requirements.
• Part O – Overheating. Extension works should include passive measures to limit overheating in properties, such as shutters.
• Part S – Electric Vehicle Charging. A relatively recent addition to the regulations, new residential properties require charging points for electrical vehicles.

Get official government guidance on approved documents.

A conservatory roof replacement in Chester

How to apply for building regulations approval

To make sure your work is compliant with UK building regulations, it must be checked during the course of the development. This can be done by either an approved inspector or your local building authority control. The former you should be able to find through the Construction Industry Council. In both cases, you’ll be given a completion certificate when the development work has been deemed satisfactory. 

There are three ways in which you can go about applying for building regulations approval:

Full plan submission 

In-depth plans for the proposed works including all accompanying information. This is recommended for more complex extensions and remodelling projects. You could get ‘conditional approval’ from a full plan submission, which requires you to make certain changes detailed in the approval document.

Building Notice

This method enables you to start work without approval so long as you give at least 48 hours notice to your building authority control. This should contain an outline of the work that’s being done. The building notice is valid for three years from the point it has been sent.

Regularisation Approval

This functions as an application after-the-fact. Although be advised that the completed work may have to be revised, resulting in the exposure or removal of materials. The property owner could also face prosecution.

Which home extensions must comply with the regulations?

According to the government manual to building regulations, it exempts some small buildings and extensions. Although this only applies where the relevant building control body is satisfied the proposed work meets the following conditions:

• The work will extend an existing building.
• The extension is at ground level with a maximum floor area of 30m².
• The building and the extension maintain thermal separation.
• The heating system does not extend into the extension.
• Any glazing meets K4, K5.1, K5.2, K5.3, and K5.4 requirements.

Examples of work that generally requires building regulations approval includes but isn’t limited to:

• New windows and door installations where there were previously none.
• Making doors/windows larger.
• Altering openings for new windows in roofs or walls.
• Alterations which will change the thermal or energy performance of a building.
• Construction of a garage.
• Cellars/basements.
• Structural alterations, including knocking down a load-bearing wall or partition wall.
• Constructing a new chimney or flue.
• Removing a chimney breast.
• Replacing roof coverings (unless an exact like-for-like repair).
• Extensions (including loft conversions).
• Insulating cavity walls

Fensa Certificates

For those who are looking to install replacement windows and doors in a property, FENSA certificates are essential. These legal documents serve as a confirmation that the installation work has been completed by a FENSA-registered company. These companies are required to use products which meet strict safety and energy efficiency standards.

Still wondering what are FENSA certificates? You can find more information in our blog about why they’re important and what we had to do to register Allerton Windows as a FENSA approved installer.

Planning permission

Certain kinds of building work requires approval from the relevant local authority before it can go ahead. This is known as planning permission. The purpose of planning permission is to check whether a proposed development adheres to design and safety standards, falls in line with any local policies, and is made in consideration of the impact to the surrounding area. If the proposed work qualifies, you will need to submit an application to your local planning authority.

Planning requirements can in some cases exceed the minimum standards outlined by building regulations. You may also have slightly different planning permission requirements depending on where you live. Find Liverpool City Council guidance on planning permission.

When don’t you need planning permission for an extension?

Forgoing the need to submit a planning permission application can save significant time and money. If your proposed changes are classed as ‘permitted development’ then you won’t need planning permission. These Permitted Development Rights (PDR) apply to certain properties in certain areas, although you often don’t need planning permission for the following types of home extension.

• Loft conversion
• Single-storey extension
• Double-storey extension
• Porches
• Conservatories
• Garages

How to apply for planning permission

Applying for planning permission can be done online through your local authority website. Although the contents of your application will vary depending on your development, the elements it must include are:

• Submission fees.
• Details of the planning process.
• Any supporting documents.
• Description of the work.

After your application is received, additional information might be requested or it will be assigned to a planning officer. From here, applications will be dealt with on a timescale that’s relative to the scope of the work. For example, minor vs major applications. During this time, there may be consultations and a site visit to discuss the proposals. Finally, your application will either be approved or rejected.

Get quotes from a team of professionals

Complying with UK building regulations can be a minefield, with many people being put off home improvements due to not knowing the requirements. By using expert window and door fitters such as Allerton Windows, you benefit from high quality work that is completed in consideration of the regulatory requirements. It’s our job to worry about complex building regulations, not yours!Each installation and home improvement project we undertake is designed by our professional team to suit your needs. This means the products you receive are bespoke to your home, whilst meeting all safety and effectiveness requirements over a long lifespan. Get in touch to discuss your home improvement plans.