Do you need building regulations approval?

Building regulations approval is different from planning permission. You might need both.

You must check if you need approval before you construct or change buildings in certain ways.

Work covered by building regulations

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings.

You might also need building regulations approval for many alteration projects, including if you plan to:

• Replace fuse boxes and connected electrics
• Install a bathroom that will involve plumbing
• Change electrics near a bath or shower
• Put in a fixed air-conditioning system
• Replace windows and doors
• Replace roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs
• Install or replace a heating system
• Add extra radiators to a heating system

You could need approval, or to follow special rules, for works not listed here – so always research your particular project.

• A homeowners guide to expanding your living space (pdf 2MB)
• A homeowner’s guide to renovating your property (pdf 3MB)

Find out whether your home improvement or large scale commercial project needs planning permission or building regulations approval. Use the Planning Portal to find what permissions you might need.

You do not need to get approval yourself if you use someone registered with a competent person scheme.

Find a competent person

Search for a trading standards approved business or tradesperson on Buy With Confidence, checked and approved by the Essex County Council Trading Standards team.

Enforcement policy

• LABC Enforcement Policy (279 KB)

Complaints

In the first instance, complaints can be made directly to the Building Control team or complete our online form on the comments, compliments and complaints page.

Find guidance on submitting complaints to the National Building Safety Regulator website.