How to Get Building Control Approval

Building control approval is a legal requirement for many types of construction, extension, and renovation work in the UK. It ensures your project complies with building regulations and meets essential standards for safety, structure, energy efficiency, and accessibility.

Whether you’re building from scratch, knocking through internal walls, or converting a loft, getting approval is a step you can’t afford to skip. The process involves submitting an application, arranging inspections, and securing final sign-off — and how you manage it can make or break your build.

Choose Between Local Authority or Private Inspector

The first decision you’ll need to make is whether to use your local council’s building control service or appoint a private approved inspector. Both options are legally recognised and offer similar levels of inspection and certification, but the process and pricing can differ.

Local authorities operate under a set framework and may be more familiar with domestic jobs and standard home extensions. Private inspectors are often used for commercial developments or more complex builds, and they may offer quicker response times or tailored service. Whichever route you take, the inspector will carry out checks at key points in the build and issue the final certificate once everything is compliant.

Decide Which Application Route to Take

There are two main routes to getting building control approval: the full plans application or the building notice application.

A full plans application is best for larger or more complex projects. You submit detailed architectural drawings, structural calculations, and specifications. These are checked before work starts to make sure they comply with building regulations. If everything looks good, you’ll get official approval — giving you confidence that the build can proceed without regulatory issues.

A building notice application is simpler and quicker. It’s commonly used for smaller domestic jobs, such as knocking through a wall or installing a new bathroom. You don’t need to submit detailed plans, but you do need to notify building control at least 48 hours before work begins. There’s more risk with this method, as compliance is judged solely on-site, and any mistakes could mean delays or having to redo work.

If you’re using a private inspector, they’ll usually want to see full plans regardless, and they’ll handle the process of notifying the local authority that they’re taking on the project.

Submit Your Application

Once you’ve chosen your route, you submit the application either through your local authority’s portal or directly to your approved inspector. For a full plans submission, include the drawings, specifications, and appropriate fee. For a building notice, complete the form with a description of the work and submit it with payment. Work can begin once confirmation is received.

If your application needs amendments or further information, the building control body will contact you. For full plans, they will formally approve the drawings once all requirements are met. For building notices, work proceeds straight to inspection stages.

Book Inspections as the Work Progresses

After approval, your project moves into the inspection phase. Building control officers need to visit the site at critical points — typically foundations, drainage, insulation, structural work, and final completion. It’s your responsibility to contact the inspector and book visits at each stage.

If something isn’t compliant, the inspector will tell you what needs to change before moving on. If you continue without approval or hide work that hasn’t been checked, you could face enforcement action or be required to undo parts of the build.

Clear communication and good scheduling are key to keeping inspections on time and avoiding costly hold-ups.

Obtain the Completion Certificate

Once the build is finished and passes the final inspection, you’ll be issued a completion certificate. This confirms that the work meets all relevant building regulations and is safe, structurally sound, and legal.

This certificate is essential. You may need it to sell the property, remortgage, obtain insurance, or resolve future disputes. If you don’t get one, it can cause major problems down the line — even if the work looks finished to the untrained eye.

Don’t Start Work Without Approval

One of the most common mistakes is starting work before the building control process has been properly initiated. For a full plans application, you should wait until the plans have been formally approved before beginning construction. For a building notice, you must wait at least 48 hours after submitting the notice and receiving confirmation from the local authority.

If work starts before the correct process is followed, you risk enforcement action, having to redo parts of the build, or delays in receiving your completion certificate.

Structural Calculations Are Often Essential

If your work involves removing a load-bearing wall, installing steel beams, altering a roof structure, or changing floor levels, you’ll likely need structural calculations. These are prepared by a structural engineer and form a critical part of your full plans submission.

The building control officer or inspector will use these calculations to confirm that your design can safely support the loads placed on it — especially important in multi-storey homes or when building near boundaries or shared walls.

Installer Certificates Can Support Approval

For certain types of work — such as electrical wiring, heating systems, and window installation — using a certified installer under a Competent Person Scheme means that part of the work can be self-certified. This reduces the burden on the building control inspector and speeds up the final sign-off.

Installers should issue a certificate of compliance, which should be kept with your building control records. These documents show that specific parts of the job were completed to the required standard by someone authorised to do so.

Approved Documents Can Guide Compliance

If you’re preparing your own plans or managing the project yourself, it’s worth looking at the UK government’s Approved Documents, which explain how to meet the requirements of each part of the Building Regulations (e.g. Part A for structure, Part B for fire safety, Part L for energy efficiency).

Following the guidance in these documents isn’t mandatory — you can use alternative methods — but if you do, it’s usually easier to get approval, because the inspector can clearly see that your project meets national standards.

Don’t Forget About Fire Safety

Many homeowners overlook fire safety when doing small projects like loft conversions, internal alterations, or open-plan designs. But fire safety is a major part of building control approval. Escape routes, smoke detection, compartmentation, and fire-resistant materials must all meet current regulations.

If your work compromises these safety features — for example, by removing doors or altering the layout of a staircase — your building control application will need to include solutions that maintain or improve fire protection. This is especially strict in multi-storey homes and flats.

Keep Records in One Place

Once your application is approved and inspections are underway, make sure you keep a central record of:

• The application reference

• Plan approvals

• Engineer reports

• Installer certificates

• Inspection logs

• The final completion certificate

Having all of this ready will make things easier if you need to prove compliance to a future buyer, solicitor, or insurance company.

Final Word

Getting building control approval isn’t just a formality — it’s a step-by-step process that ensures your building work is done properly, safely, and legally. From the moment you plan your project to the final sign-off, staying on top of inspections, paperwork, and communication will keep things running smoothly. Whether you apply through your local authority or work with a private inspector, the goal is the same: a compliant, high-quality result backed by a certificate that proves the job was done right.