Simple Guide to Building Regulations in England and Wales

                                                                                         

If you have decided to start doing some home improvements then you might think that you can do more or less as you please? Of course, most people understand that they need planning permission to build an extension or make a major alteration but if you want to replace a window or upgrade your boiler then it’s no-ones business but yours, right? Well no, not quite!

You may have heard about building regulations and just assumed that they apply to new buildings and extensions but you would be wrong. The building regulations apply to some things that you might not have thought of and ignoring this could create problems when you come to sell your house or make a claim on your buildings insurance.

What are Building Regulations?
The Building Regulations set certain minimum standards of design and construction which must be applied to all building work in England and Wales. In Scotland they have a separate system known as Building (Scotland) Regulations.

Types of work which would need approval include:
An extension to an existing building
Electrical or Gas installations (such as a new central heating boiler)
Replacement windows
Cavity wall insulation
Underpinning work to existing foundations
A change of use of the building (from a house to a shop, for instance)

Generally speaking when planning to undertake any work which is covered by the building regulations you must inform your local Building Control Office. This is a department of your local council who are responsible for ensuring that the regulations are applied.
In some circumstances you can use contractors who are certified under the Competent Person Scheme and they will be able to ‘self-certify’ the work without involving your local Building Control Officer. Often they will be members of a recognised trade association or body such as Corgi.
If you want to employ someone who is not covered by the scheme then you must contact your building Control Office. This is so they can arrange to inspect the works to ensure that they comply with current regulations at the time of completion.
Provided there are no problems they will issue you with a completion certificate which you will need to keep. If you sell your house at a later date then this is your evidence that the work was approved at the time.

What if you don’t bother?
If you fail to comply with the Building regulations then you could be prosecuted at a later date. You will also be required to have the work put right at your own cost.
Furthermore, even if you avoid this pitfall, when you come to sell your house the issue will likely be addressed by the buyer’s surveyor or solicitor. You will either have to put the work right or reduce your asking price to account for the cost of doing so?

In conclusion then the Building Regulations ensure that any work you do will result in a building which is structurally sound and safe to live in. The Regulations not only protect you but also your neighbours and anyone who lives in the building with you as well as any future buyer.
The legislation and procedures can seem a little daunting at first but are easily dealt with by employing a competent contractor or by liaising with your Building Control Officer. In the long run it benefits everyone and helps to ensure that the housing stock in the UK continues to provide a safe and secure environment in which to live.

About the author:
Helen used to work in construction and was responsible for many large and small building and refurbishment projects in the UK. Although no longer working in the industry, Helen still writes for the Construction Student website. The website aims to help young people who are studying for a construction qualification in the UK with links to further resources and Construction Jobs and Careers advice.

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