Building Regs how do I know if I need to apply?

lindos90

In our last house we had some work done, moving a door, removing a chimney stack etc, and the builder advised us that building regs were not needed.....then we came to sell, disclosed all the work we had done and found out we should have got building regs, resulting in a requirement to buy an indemnity polocy for the buyer.

We have recently moved house, and there are a few building jobs we would like to do (nothing major that would need planning permission). This time we dont want to make the same mistake, and ensure we get building regs if needed, but obviously only want to pay for this if its really needed.

Is there somewhere I can look on the internet that can guide me about the types of work that do and do not need building regs?

Ive considered calling building control at the council and see if they could visit and advise, but im concerned that they may charge a fee for visiting or may just have a blanket response of "well its best to get building regs approval for any work to make sure its done right", rather than advise on what would really require building regs.

Just to give you an idea of what we are proposing to do:

1) Create a door in a breezeblock wall between kitchen and garage. (this would need a lintel so im guessing this probably would need building regs)

2) remove a small stud wall cupboard (its floor to ceiling, and just big enough to house a washer with a dryer ontop)

3) reposition part of a stud wall so it runs inline with rest of diningroom wall (currently an 'L' shape wall)

Hope someone can help.
Thanks

SmlSave

Hi

I just emailed our council and they responded with no fuss.

I know that if its a load bearing wall you need regs.

Mummy_Jo

Call them. I found them to be quite friendly really. I did play stupid wifey a few times but they were very generous with their advice. That must be your only way to know for sure...

Jo

Kiran

Stud wall work in a traditional construction house doesn't need building regs approval. The opening in the wall will probably not need it if the wall is not load bearing, chances are it will if the wall if it is. As the others have said give the BCO a call and ask the advice. You can tell them that its an enquiry for work you are thinking about rather than work you are definitely having done.

Tucker

Ring them, they will advise you. Their primary concern is that building work is done correctly.

There maybe some rules relating to knocking a door to an intergrated garage as the door might need a fire rating or something, so it's best to act before you even look at buying anything or getting quotes.

I rang my Building Inspector as I wasn't sure whether strip foundations would be OK in my area. They advised me to do a trial dig, came and looked and advised with no charge. I did put in for the building regs after, but at least I knew what the job involved and I was able to be more specific with my application.

lindos90

Thanks to all for your advice, good to know they are likely to give advice in advance of any potential application, and perhaps visit as well.

Will bite the bullet and call them tomorrow,

Mummy Jo, I will try the flakey wifey approach, im good at that;).

Tucker, good point about fire door possibility, never thought of that!

Kiran, good point about the load bearing, we really need to pull the carpet up in a corner and look at the boards (joists at 90 degrees to them im guessing)

The fustrating thing is its a fairly new hous, just over 10 years old, but what the designer was thinking of with some of the door positions etc...not best use of space, and dont even get me started on the stupid kitchen layout!!! (Any excuse for a new one:rotfl:)

lindos90

Quick update to help anyone alse in the future with similar query...

Well gave them a call, they said I can knock out as many stud walls/cupboards as I want as they will not be loadbearing.

The door to the garage will indeed have to be a 30 minute fire door, plus it would need smoke seals and have a self closing mechanism, and would need building regs.

Door to garage on the back burner, not going to be cost effective...but going to get 'swing happy' with the hammer to everything else very soon:D

PatsyMcM

The only way to know for sure is to visit your local building permit office.