Does this job need building regs, planning, or a notice? Find out before you start.
For sole traders and small firms sick of building control turning up mid-job, or clients asking 'do we need approval for this' an hour before the van is loaded.
Building regs, planning permission, and party wall notices all sit in different laws, written by different departments, at different times. These guides and checkers tell you which ones apply to the job in front of you, in plain English, with the Part, Schedule or Act that backs it up.
Do I need building regs?
Not every job needs Building Regulations approval. Minor repairs, like-for-like replacements, and small outbuildings are usually exempt. Extensions, structural alterations, electrical work, heating changes, and window replacements almost always need approval. Use the checker to find out.
Which parts apply to my job?
An extension might trigger Parts A (structure), B (fire), C (moisture), F (ventilation), L (energy), M (access), P (electrics), and S (EV charging). A boiler swap triggers Parts J (heating), L (energy), and possibly F (ventilation). The checker tells you which ones apply based on your work type.
Part P — electrical work
Part P covers electrical installations in dwellings. Notifiable work includes new circuits, consumer unit replacements, and work in bathrooms and kitchens. Competent person schemes (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA) allow registered electricians to self-certify without involving building control.
Part L — energy efficiency
Part L sets U-value targets for walls, floors, roofs, windows, and doors. It applies to new builds, extensions, and replacement elements. The 2021 amendments significantly tightened the requirements, and the Future Homes Standard will tighten them further from 2025.
Part B — fire safety
Part B covers fire detection, escape routes, fire resistance of structure, compartmentation, and access for fire services. It applies to virtually every building project. Post-Grenfell amendments have significantly increased requirements for external walls and cladding.
Part M — access and use
Part M requires reasonable provision for people to access and use buildings. It covers level thresholds, door widths, WC provision, and ramp gradients. It applies to new builds and extensions — and is increasingly enforced on refurbishments.
Building control — how it works
You can use either your local authority building control (LABC) or an approved inspector (private building control). Both check plans and inspect work at key stages. Full plans applications give you advance approval; building notices are quicker but riskier if work doesn't comply.
Competent person schemes
FENSA (windows), NICEIC/NAPIT/ELECSA (electrics), Gas Safe (gas), CERTASS (windows), HETAS (solid fuel) — these schemes allow registered installers to self-certify compliance without involving building control. Joining a scheme saves time and money on every notifiable job.
What happens if you don't comply
The local authority can serve an enforcement notice requiring you to pull down or alter non-compliant work. They can prosecute — unlimited fines on conviction. Buyers' solicitors now routinely check for building regs completion certificates, so non-compliance can block property sales for years.
Building regs vs planning permission
They're completely separate systems. Planning controls what you build and where (appearance, size, impact on neighbours). Building Regulations control how you build (safety, energy, structure). You might need both, either, or neither depending on the job.