Before you build, extend or convert, you or your agent (i.e. Architect, Builder, Developer, etc.) must advise your local authority either by submitting Full Plans or through a Building Notice.
If you submit Full Plans the Local Authority will examine them and normally advise you of any necessary changes required to meet the Building Regulations. The Building Control Officers inspect the work at various stages during construction, subject to notification.
If you submit a satisfactory Building Notice with a notice of commencement, work can start two days later. The Building Control Officer will visit the site at intervals to ensure work conforms to Building Regulations.
Charges are payable as follows:
Should you submit Full Plans for approval you will pay a plan charge to cover the passing or rejection of plans deposited with the local authority, and an inspection charge to cover the inspection of work to which the plans relate.
Should you submit a Building Notice you will pay a Building Notice charge which is payable when the notice is given to the local authority. This is a once and for all payment irrespective of the number of visits made by the Building Control Officer.
Should you apply for a Regularisation Certificate in respect of unauthorised building work, you will pay a regularisation charge to cover the cost of assessing your application and all inspections. The charge will be 120% of the net Building Notice charge.
Whether you choose to deposit Full Plans or give a Building Notice the total charge payable is the same.
Full Plans submissions, Building Notices and applications for Regularisation Certificates submitted to the local authority must be accompanied by the appropriate charge, otherwise the application or notice is deemed as not being submitted and work should not commence. All other charges payable will be charged following the first inspection of the work to which the application relates.
When the proposed work comprises or includes one or more extensions to a building, the floor areas must be aggregated when determining the charges payable.
In certain cases the local authority may agree to charges being paid by instalments. Consult your Building Control Office for details.
Where plans have been either approved or rejected no further charge is payable on resubmission for substantially the same work.
Some submissions do not require a charge. These are:
Insertion of insulating material into an existing cavity wall, providing the installation is certified to an approved standard and the work is carried out by an approved installer.
Installation of an approved unvented hot water system where the work is carried out by an approved operative or is part of a larger project.
Work to provide access and facilities for disabled persons in dwellings and buildings to which the public has access.
The amount of charges payable depends on the type of work, the number of dwellings in a building and the total floor area. The following tables may be used in conjunction with the current Charges Regulations to calculate the charge. If you have any difficulties calculating the charges please consult your local authority Building Control Office. Charges in respect of all work are subject to VAT at the standard rate; the only exception is the Regularisation charge. (Gross Charges in the Schedules below).
These notes are for guidance only and do not substitute for Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 3129 which contains the full statement of the law.
EACH LOCAL AUTHORITY SETS ITS OWN LEVEL OF CHARGES.
