Blog>Trade>Starting a Business>When do I need building regulations approval?
Last updated: 10 February 2025
When do I need building regulations approval?
If you work in the construction or home improvements industry, you’ll most likely know a bit about building regulations. Knowing when you need building regulations approval, however, can be complex. Let’s take a deeper look into the subject.
To know when you need building regulations approval, you'll want to know about what's involved in building regulations generally. They are a set of standards that are devised to ensure that any building work is safe and completed to an acceptable standard.
As a tradesperson it is so vital to be familiar with building regulations as they cover many areas of a building’s fabric. Such as:
New builds
Property upgrades in existing residential and commercial buildings
Any structural alterations such as home extensions or the installation of new technologies
Changes that improving energy efficiency.
As a result, as well as larger fabric changes (like walls and roofs) carbon emissions and energy saving technology are also now a part of building regulations.
Are there building regulations for home extensions?
As mentioned above, you will need to apply for building regulations to build a home extension. Even as a tradesperson, you still need approval before starting work.
All home extensions must meet a minimum set of standards. These standards are part of building regulations and include:
Thermal performance and insulation
Structural integrity including foundations and supporting lintels
Safely built walls and roof
Electric and gas safety certification
Fire safety (including both using fire safe materials and ensuring there is means of escape in an emergency)
These measure will also be included in any other works that are subject to building regulations.
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What work is covered by building regulations?
Building regulations covers the construction of any new buildings both in the residential sector and the commercial sector. But it also can apply to a number of other jobs carried out by tradespeople of different kinds.
Some other works that usually require building regulations approval include:
Replacing fuse boxes and associated wiring and electric systems
Upgrading windows and doors
Bathroom installations that require plumbing reconfiguration
Installing fixed air conditioning units
Electrical alterations near a bath or shower
Replacement flat and pitched roofs
Installing a new heating system or boiler
Fitting new radiators to an existing heating system
This list is not exhaustive, and you may need building regulations approval for other works.
In emergency situations such as boiler breakdown, building regulations in not required.
When don't you need building regulations approval?
Various construction and home improvement projects do not require building regulations approval.
Some of the most common works that do not require building regulations approval are:
Installation of new electrical circuits (except in bath/shower rooms)
Installation of new power points and lighting (except in bath/shower rooms)
Replacing baths, toilets and sinks where existing plumbing is not affected
General repair, replacement, and maintenance works (except for heating systems, fuse boxes, oil tanks, and windows & doors
Building regulations is also not required if it is carried out by someone who is registered with a competent person scheme.
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What is the competent person scheme?
Any installer who is registered with a competent person scheme (CPS) will not need to apply for building regulations approval. Instead, tradespeople are able to self-certify any installations they complete.
This helps to speed up installations and encourages high working standards within their specific industry.
Where required, you can notify a local authority on behalf of the homeowner
You will need to provide a certificate of compliance within eight weeks
In the unlikely event that there’s a problem with the work, someone signed up with a scheme can provide an insurance backed warranty.
If you are a member of a CPS, you may also have a complaints procedure already set up in case of any issues.
FENSA and Assure certification in the glazing industry
An excellent example of the success of competent person schemes is in the glazing industry.
Most professional glazing installers will be members of either FENSA or Assure. Both these organisations provide competent person accreditation across the glazing industry.
They follow strict industry standards with a focus on improving energy efficiency and are respected across the glazing industry and the wider construction sector.
Recent building regulations changes
In recent years, building regulations have placed increasing emphasis on improving the thermal performance of the UK’s building stock.
Some areas that building regulations now focus on include:
Reduction of carbon emissions
Heating system efficiency
Use of renewable energy (solar panels, air source heat pumps etc.)
Installation of electric vehicle charging points
Improving ventilation and interior airflow
Have a read of our article on building regulations changes for more detailed information about the latest standards.
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FAQs
How do I apply for building regulations approval?
You can apply for building regulations approval by using the local council’s Planning Portal. This can be done online, and you should receive a decision within five weeks.
If you are registered with a competent person’s scheme, however, you can self-certify any works you complete and will not need to apply for building regulations approval.
Do I need building regulations approval to replace windows?
Yes. Any replacement windows will need to comply with current building regulations standards. This is particularly important regarding the energy efficiency performance of the new windows.
For window repair works or to just replace the glass pane, you do not need building regulations approval. If you are registered with FENSA or Assure certification, you also do not need building regulations approval.
What works require building regulations approval?
All new building construction require building regulations approval, including home extensions and adaptations.
You will also need building regulations approval for certain types of work including structural alterations, new heating system installations and certain electrical and plumbing works.
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