Building regulations apply to most new buildings and certain types of alterations. They may also be required when the use of a building changes. In general, formal approval is needed for most building work. You may also need planning permission so make sure you check with our planning department first.

Types of domestic building work that need approval include:

• erection of a new building
• re-erection of an existing building
• home extensions and conversions, such as for kitchen, lounge or loft conversions 

• new chimneys or flues
• underpinning of foundations
• internal structural alterations, such as the removal of a load-bearing wall or partition
• alterations that affect the building's means of escape or fire precautions
• altered openings for new windows in roofs or walls
• repairing or replacing more than 25% of the surface area of a roof
• access improvements for disabled people

Installation, alteration or extension of a controlled service or fitting to a building, such as: 

• a new boiler or heating appliance
• new or replacement external windows or doors
• installation of baths, showers, WCs which involve new drainage or waste plumbing
• electric installations such as installing a new consumer unit or a new electric shower unit
• a wood burning stove
• installation of cavity wall insulation

If you are undertaking building works in a commercial property, you will generally need building regulations approval. Examples include:

• installing, altering or repairing a shop front
• making internal alterations to a shop, office or other workplace
• converting a house, shops or office into flats