Quick question about the need to replace a baythroom SOIL PIPE

thenap80

Do you know from your experience if this is a job that would require me to inform local council. I am in a London borough. I have emailed and asked and they say yes but I get the impression from their email that they are saying yes as I have asked and it can be some easy money for them. In fact they say my application fee would be dependent on what the buiider quotes me for the work. An application is an application I would have thought. Not a percentage of whayt I pay to get something done.

EachPenny

thenap80 wrote: »

An application is an application I would have thought. Not a percentage of whayt I pay to get something done.

The soil stack and drainage system are covered by building regulations. The rules are quite complex and designed to reduce the risk of blockages and leakage which are things the homeowner obviously doesn't want

If building regulations approval is needed then the fee structure is based on the cost of the work - the logic being larger more expensive projects will require more time to check the plans and inspect. Building Control are not just saying 'yes' or 'no' to an idea, they have to look at the details and confirm the completed work conforms to the regulations.

Personally I think the fee structure is nuts. It discriminates against people who want to do DIY in their own home and encourages work to be done without any involvement of building control. Many 'professional' builders will do work without any building control involvement, and not comply with building regulations. A homeowner who wants to do the job (lawfully) themselves has to pay a substantial fee. The homeowner has more incentive than the dodgy builder to do the job properly and safely, but gets a financial 'penalty' for doing the right thing.

I feel there should be more effort put into educating people on the standards and reasons for them - the regulations are impossible for a layperson to understand, which is why 'professional' builders get away with all kinds of dodgy work.

thenap80

Thanks again EachPEnny. Your replies are a great insight for me and I really do appreciate your honest unbiased opinion which is what I need. One more thing then if I may, you say the soil stack is covered by Building Regs. If I were to go with Builder Number 2 who says he can cut back the soil pipe to the wall in the bathroom and use an attachment, is this something that I can have done without the need for costly council asessments and auhority? The soil stack is what is at the base of the house somewhere right?

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