Building Regs Explained: Extensions

If you’re planning to extend your home, you will need to comply with the Building Regulations.

By law, building work is subject to a system of building control to ensure it complies with the Building Regulations, which can either be undertaken by the local authority or a private company, known as ‘Approved Inspectors’. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Here we explain the options available, our preferred option and some of the recent changes in building regulations.

Building Control - The Options

• Full plans application

  Submit plans and details to your Local Authority (building control department) for a full review and comments in advance of the work starting on site.

• Building notice applcation

  Another option offered by your Local Authority but much quicker and less involved than the full plans application and usually most suited to a simple home extension. There is however little time to change the design if aspects are not already compliant.

• Appoint an Approved Inspector

  A private organisation that verifies and checks that your project complies with the building regulations, instead of the Local Authority.

Approved Inspectors - our preferred option for Building Regulations approval

There are several advantages to appointing an Approved Inspector rather than using the Local Authority, as we explain further here:

• Better service – With budget cuts to many councils, many local authorities are unable to offer the same level of personal and pro-active service that an approved inspector provide. Also, Approved Inspectors can often offer greater flexibility in terms of site visits.

• Speed - Councils dealing with many applications can take a lot longer to process approval, sometimes taking up to 8 weeks! With an Approved Inspector, they can issue an approval as soon as the finished package is presented to them.

• Price - Professional fees for Approved Inspectors are often competitive with the equivalent service offered by your Local Authority.

Hence, we believe that Approved Inspectors can potentially offer an all-round more efficient service that provides better value for our clients.

What are the new building regulations for homes?

In June 2022, new changes to the building regulations came into effect. Under Part L of the new regulations, new build homes will need to produce at least 31% less carbon emissions than required previously. Extensions and renovation projects are impacted less than new build homes, but there are still significant changes, as summarised here:

• Minimum U-values (figures that indicate thermal performance) for new building fabric in extensions to existing homes have been lowered, meaning better insulating materials have to be used in order to achieve compliance.

• External windows, doors and rooflights also have to meet lower U-values. Timber doors and windows have a grace period to give manufacturers time to transition, and need to meet the new standard by 15 June 2023.

• Replacement heating systems must not have a maximum flow temperature of more than 55°C.

• As before, a SAP (energy efficiency) assessment will be required where the area of new glazing is more than 25% of the extended floor area. However, the assessment will now have to comply with more onerous targets the in accordance with the new standard assessment model.

Hopefully this article offers some helpful information but speak to us if you’d like to know more!