Replacing patio doors with French doors

firsttimebuyer2013

Can anyone tell me whether replacing patio doors with French doors requires building regs, ie do I need a Fensa certified fitter/building control to do the work/sign it off, or can I undertake the work myself?

If I do need someone to do it/sign it off, can anyone give an idea of cost? I'm located in the south-east.

Presumably it's gonna be cheaper to get a fitter in than get building control out? Although I can't work out what 'level' I'd need from B/C. Would it be an inspection fee, building notices fee, or a regularisation fee, or a combination of those?

Thanks

redmalc

We have just changed ours by a local company,there was no mention of any buildings regs etc.
They did the whole job in a morning and we are very happy with the finished article

Rodney_Trotter

Only time you'd need building control is if the company fitting isn't fensa.

leveller2911

Rodney_Trotter wrote: »

Only time you'd need building control is if the company fitting isn't fensa.

Or the OP carries out the work themselves.

Rodney_Trotter

leveller2911 wrote: »

Or the OP carries out the work themselves.

Same thing unless they are fensa but as they're asking we can assume they're not.

firsttimebuyer2013

redmalc wrote: »

We have just changed ours by a local company,there was no mention of any buildings regs etc.
They did the whole job in a morning and we are very happy with the finished article

Were they FENSA registered? Did you receive a certificate?

firsttimebuyer2013

Rodney_Trotter wrote: »

Only time you'd need building control is if the company fitting isn't fensa.

So I can't replace it even though it's like for like (sort of)? Or I can replace it, but are the repercussions when it comes to selling the house?

redmalc

First time buyer

The company was Fensa registered ,however i have not been given any documentation

leveller2911

firsttimebuyer2013 wrote: »

So I can't replace it even though it's like for like (sort of)? Or I can replace it, but are the repercussions when it comes to selling the house?

As long as your property is not Listed Grade I or II you are free to replace them as long as the work is either carried out by a FENSA registered installer or any person can do the work through the local Council via the "building notice" scheme. There can also be difficulties with the choice of materials if your house is within a Conservation area as they may not allow Upvc.

You apply for the buidling notice (very simple form and a fee is payable) you then inform the council building inspector of the date on which work commences and the building inspector will pop round to make sure the work conforms to the building regs.

With doors the things he will look for will be U value of the double glazed units (information would be on the order ticket/invoice) toughend glass where necessary and draught excluders fitted. He will then sign off the work as being completed and conforms to regulations.When you come to sell the property you will have the documentation from the Councils Building Control to show that the work complies.

The FENSA scheme is NOT a guarantee that the work carried out is of good workmanship ,I have seen plenty of work that didn't comply with regulations , usually when toughend glass should have been fitted but wasn't and poor workmanship such as brickwork and frames plastered in silicone and the making good around the frames poor.

traineepensioner

"...are there repercussions when it comes to selling the house?".....If you don't have a FENSA certificate, or documentation from building control, for the new french doors you may have to buy an indemnity policy to cover the buyer against the council taking action. Not expensive, more annoying than anything else. As others have said, the FENSA certificate is no guarantee of good workmanship.

Rodney_Trotter

redmalc wrote: »

First time buyer

The company was Fensa registered ,however i have not been given any documentation

You should have been given a certificate.