Building Control Tools
Building control is a vital part of the construction process in the UK, ensuring that building projects meet the required standards for safety, health, accessibility, and energy efficiency. When you undertake a building project, such as an extension, renovation, or new build, building control ensures compliance with the Building Regulations set by the government.
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Building control ensures that construction projects comply with Building Regulations, which cover safety, health, accessibility, and energy efficiency. It involves plan checks, site inspections, and issuing completion certificates. This process is essential for maintaining high standards in building safety and quality (Browne Jacobson) (London Building Control).
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Most construction projects, including new builds, extensions, and significant renovations, require building control approval. This approval ensures that the work meets all relevant Building Regulations. Some minor works may be exempt, but it’s crucial to verify this with your local authority or an approved inspector (GOV.UK) (London Building Control).
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Significant changes to Building Regulations were introduced in October 2023, including the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These changes impact all building control applications and include new duty holder roles and increased enforcement powers for non-compliance (Browne Jacobson) (Buildapproved.co.uk).
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Applications for building control approval can be submitted to your local authority or an approved inspector. The application must include detailed plans and specifications of the proposed work. Once the application is reviewed and approved, site inspections will be conducted at various stages of the project to ensure compliance (London Building Control).
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Building control inspections are conducted at key stages of the construction process, such as foundation laying, structural work, and final completion. These inspections verify that the work complies with Building Regulations. If any issues are found, they must be corrected before proceeding to the next stage (GOV.UK) (Assure Building Control).
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Non-compliance with Building Regulations can result in significant penalties, including fines, orders to alter or remove non-compliant work, and even criminal charges in severe cases. The Building Safety Regulator has extensive powers to enforce compliance and ensure building safety (Browne Jacobson) (Assure Building Control).