Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

The Building Regulations apply to all scales of development, from simple domestic work up to multi-million pound projects. However, unlike with the case of national developers who have professional experience and resources that assist them through the Building Control process, the householder who is intending to alter his or her property often only ever does so once.

This page is therefore intended to offer some guidance for this type of situation.

10 Golden Rules

The work you are intending to do on your property may include, for example, the erection of a porch, conservatory or garage or alternatively, you could be planning to knock a wall out between rooms. On the other hand, extensions of the property to provide new rooms or even a loft conversion may be your objective.

Whatever work you are intending to do, you are strongly recommended to follow the following rules:

First, decide whether you will be carrying out the building work yourself or whether you will be employing a builder. If you intend to do the work yourself you must ensure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge.

Second, if you will be employing a builder, ensure that he is reputable and cost effective. Be clear about what you want done, obtain written estimates from at least 3 builders and always ask for references from previous customers. Be sure to follow these up. (See also Avoiding Cowboy Builders).

Third, having chosen your builder, agree with him any staged payments. Avoid dealing in cash and never pay for any part of the work in advance of it being carried out.

Fourth, a good builder should know if there is a likelihood that Building Regulations consent and/or Planning Permission will be required for the work but, do not take any chances on this. Enquire with the Council on both issues (see Work to which the Building Regulations apply and Planning). It is often beneficial to have a determination on this in writing from the Council and for this purpose a Pre-application Enquiries service is provided.

Fifth, if Building Regulations consent or Planning Permission is required, discuss with the builder who should prepare the plans and make the application(s). The options are, depending on the nature of the work and the competency of the person drawing the plans, either to prepare them on a DIY basis or to use a local Plan Drawing service or a firm of professional architects. There will be a significant difference in the costs associated with each alternative, so a careful decision on this needs to be made. Decide with the person who will be making any application for Building Regulations consent, whether to use the Full Plans Method or the Building Notice Method. Unless the work is of a very minor nature, the Council recommends the former.

Sixth, do not allow the builder to start work unless the necessary consents have been issued by the Council. Make sure that you are in possession of the formal notices issued to this effect.

Seventh, if Building Regulations consent was applicable, make sure that the builder notifies the Council's Building Control Surveyor at the appropriate times so that inspections of the work can be made. Failure to do this may mean that a Certificate of Completion will not be issued by the Council.

Eighth, avoid adding to the job or changing your mind part-way through as this can lead to delays and extra costs .

Ninth, if problems arise, speak to the builder straightaway and use the trade associations mediation and arbitration service if necessary.

Tenth, at the end of the job, make sure that you are happy with everything and, if Building Regulations consent was applicable, you are in possession of the Council's Certificate of Completion before you pay the builder. Without this certificate you will have difficulty in selling the property and obtaining the release of any mortgage funds.