Conservatory without Building Regs

Adams_Dad

In 2008 I had a conservatory built which needed to comply with Building Regs.

I did have to have the floor of the conservatory dug-up and re-laid because even as a lay-man I could tell it wasn't up to standard.

It has now come to light that the works were never reported to Building Control and so I have an unpermitted conservatory.

At this stage, I am trying to ascertain who should have applied to the council, and if it was me, should the builder have commenced work without checking that the application had been made?

Also, I can't get a straight answer whether it is possible to apply for certification retrospectively - and how?

pmlindyloo

Sorry to say that it was your responsibility to apply for building regulations.

Since you had to have the floor redone it is not surprising that your builders did not ask about it because it is just a lot of hassle for them meeting the regulations.

Anyway, you need to apply for Retrospective Building Regulations.

Google this with the name of your council and it should come up with the information you need.

Have you telephoned Building Control? If you did I am very surprised they were unhelpful. They are generally extremely helpful in my experience.

Although having this done retrospectively might be a pain in the **** it will be worth it if you want to sell because prospective buyers will want to see the certificate.

Just one last thing, should you have had planning permission too? Not likely but you should check. It will all be on your local council website.

macka0

a conservatory should be exempt from building regs as it is not a permenant structure

usignuolo

Conservatories used to require planning permission but my neighbour told me that things had changed in recent years and theirs did not - because as you say it is not a permanent structure.

macka0

over a certain size they still require planning

leveller2911

macka0 wrote: »

a conservatory should be exempt from building regs as it is not a permenant structure

No its not exempt from building regulations.For instance any glass sight line below 800mm requires toughend glass as does any glazing within 300mm of any doors,any glass in the doors below 1500mm needs to be toughend.

If there are no doors between the conservatory and the house then it needs to comply with Part L of regs IIRC so generally double glazed roof,sealed units ,draught excluders etc .

I know the rules have been eased re planning permission with the size etc but not building regs as they are down to safety and energy efficiency.

Adams_Dad

Ours required Building control but not planning permission.

macka0

it is exempt from site visits by building control, as is a porch, if the doors are removed it is then not classed as a tempory structure and would probably ever meet the u values of a permanat structure with all the glazing, i have built hundreds of them

leveller2911

macka0 wrote: »

it is exempt from site visits by building control, as is a porch, if the doors are removed it is then not classed as a tempory structure and would probably ever meet the u values of a permanat structure with all the glazing, i have built hundreds of them

You may well have built hundreds but they must still comply with building regs, your post said "a conservatory should be exempt from building regs as it is not a permenant structure"

which is not correct as it must comply with building regs ....


@ Adams Dad, I may be wrong but I think the onus is on you to have applied unless it was part of the builders quote.Ring the Council and ask .

macka0

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories/

please read the link especially this bit
However, conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:

They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area.
The conservatory is separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows.

pmlindyloo

macka0 wrote: »

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories/

please read the link especially this bit
However, conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:

They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area.
The conservatory is separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows.

And they have an independant heating system.