Building regulations approval

When you don't need approval

You don’t need to apply for approval yourself if the work isn’t covered by building regulations, or if someone who's registered with a competent person scheme carries it out.

You don't need building regulations approval for some exempt projects, including:

• most repairs, replacements and maintenance work (except heating systems, oil tanks, fuse boxes and glazing units)
• new power and lighting points, or changes to existing circuits (except around baths and showers)
• like-for-like replacements of baths, toilets, basins and sinks

When you do need approval

You must check if you need approval before you construct or change buildings in certain ways.

You don’t need to get approval yourself if you use someone registered with a competent person scheme.

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings.

You might also need building regulations approval for many alteration projects, including if you plan to:

• replace fuse boxes and connected electrics
• install a bathroom that will involve plumbing
• change electrics near a bath or shower
• put in a fixed air-conditioning system
• replace windows and doors
• replace roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs
• install or replace a heating system
• add extra radiators to a heating system

You could need approval, or to follow special rules, for works not listed here - so always research your particular project.

You don’t need advance approval for emergency repairs to your boiler or heating system, but there are rules you must follow.

Check with us if you can’t decide if you need approval.

Hire a ‘competent person’

If your project needs approval but you’d rather not apply yourself, you can hire a tradesperson registered with a competent person scheme instead.