Common misconception re Local Authority Planning and Building Control Departments

planning_officer

Yep, as long as they're drawn to scale etc - there's really no difference in drawings done by an architect and an architectural technician - they just have different levels of qualification.

wizard9956

I would like to install a diy made hot water solar panel system on my house , I've made the panel , worked out how it will be installed on the roof , worked out the pipe work , worked out how the system will be controlled and the system wiring .
I would like to do all the installation myself except for the roof work ( don't like heights ) . I am going to make a good job of the installation and feel fully capable of doing the plumbing , wiring , controls etc .
Is it possible Building regulations would allow me to do the work myself , and if so , where should I start , would Building control inspect my installation as I do it, or when it's complete , would I need to demonstrate it's operation .

Any help or advice would be greatly received .

Thanks Wiz

harryhound

As the electrics are not in your kitchen or bathroom, you can probably get away with not being a qualified electrician (do you know what you are doing with earthing etc?). There are also plumbing regulations , with which you must comply and of course in the winter there is the risk of freezing.

Solar panels are permitted development if you live in a ordinary house (ie not listed or in a conservation area) though some local authorities wish they were not, because they change the appearance of a house. So as long as they don't poke out above ridge height and are not "in your face", I cannot see why you should not get on and do it.

In most homes the savings, against using gas or economy 7 electricity for making hot water, are pretty marginal.

Crispy_Ambulance

I hope someone with some knowledge might be able to answer this one as a google search isn't giving me anything.

We are looking at a 2 storey side extension and loft conversion to a semi. There are lots of similar extensions in the surrounding streets and the main issues we've been considering involve stairs and plumbing.

However, we spoke to an architect yesterday who told us that if we go from a 3 bed to a 4 bed house, we will need additional off-road parking. And if we have another small room we will need 3 off-road parking spaces, even if that room is too small to be a bedroom.

We currently have a narrow driveway which you could park a car on but you wouldn't be able to open the doors if you did! We want to incorporate a "garage" into the ground floor of the extension but it wouldn't be wide enough to park a car in, so it would be a store for bikes etc.

None of the other architects we have spoken to have mentioned this - is it true? That if you build an extension that gives you 4 or 5 bedrooms you have to have additional off-road parking? It seems a bit bonkers to me.

harryhound

It is probably a requirement of your local authority - it may be intended to prevent the subdivision of family houses into flats.
Just ask your local planning department.

How big is your front garden?

Crispy_Ambulance

It's big enough to park a car on if you dug it all out but I'd be reluctant to pave it over if I didn't have to.

We've since spoken to another architect who told us that it wasn't a local requirement at all.

Oog

I am in a Conservation Area and am replacing my kitchen. Contractors are doing the other bits (rewiring and replumbing/boiler) so will be covering Part P, Part G etc. certification.

The kitchen is going back in the same place - an extension to the main Victorian building that was put up long ago (maybe 50 years ago). It does not have cavity walls. Where do I stand with regard to insulation and meeting Part L (insulation)?

Boarding it out with insulation board will make the space much narrower, decrease the ventilation which I need to keep pretty draughty due to a faulty stop !!!! dripping for the past x years, and cost a fair bit. Seeing as this cannot be done to the main body of the house (cornicing, original features, etc.) it seems a bit pointless. Do I have to upgrade the insulation? If it is the law it's the law!

The Building Notice Application will go in for some other bits and pieces (new back door, replacing back of house windows) so we expect and inspection for the work we are doing.

Is there any advice on how I should go about this - get the building inspector to come around with the conservation officer? Are the building inspectors for councils generally agreeable?

Sorry, not quite sure exactly what all my questions are but it just occurred to me that we might not be able to fit the kitchen back into place without doing some additional work. I'd rather think about it now than have to take everything out again!

Brummie71

wizard9956 wrote: »

I would like to install a diy made hot water solar panel system on my house , I've made the panel , worked out how it will be installed on the roof , worked out the pipe work , worked out how the system will be controlled and the system wiring .
I would like to do all the installation myself except for the roof work ( don't like heights ) . I am going to make a good job of the installation and feel fully capable of doing the plumbing , wiring , controls etc .
Is it possible Building regulations would allow me to do the work myself , and if so , where should I start , would Building control inspect my installation as I do it, or when it's complete , would I need to demonstrate it's operation .

Any help or advice would be greatly received .

Thanks Wiz

Building control would want to inspect the work, as there are structural issues with mounting things on the roof. Some BC departments even insist on an application and inspection when solar thermal/PV panels are installed by professional companies.

I would also argue that the work is likely to be covered by Part P - and certainly if there is any external electrical installation.

So, in short, if you want to be legal, get BC to approve and pay the extra.

You also won't qualify for the government RHI payments as you haven't had it installed by a professionally-registered installer.

TableTop

Hi,
Have read the thread, but would be really grateful if someone could clarify if building control/inspection is only a requirement for new development? What about structural repairs? I need to have a timber hip beam in my roof strengthened/re-supported because it has split. Does the work need to be inspected?
Thank you!

Brummie71

Building regs apply to all work done on a property where you are altering a regulated aspect. For example, painting a wall isn't regulated, but rebuilding a wall would be - structural matters, thermal envelope, etc. Some is covered by 'competent persons' schemes like Gas Safe, NICEIC, FENSA, etc and these people are certified as being able to work to BC standards and can notify the local authority that the work has been done without the need for checking.

If you are in doubt, check with the BC office from your local authority. They're usually pretty happy to let you know whether you need to apply (and pay) for approval and what the inspection regime might cost.