Building control

olbas_oil

Just starting a renovation and planning/prioritising some of the changes we would like to make in the short/long term. Some of these will involve building control:

Combining bathroom & toilet
Moving a HW cylinder (if not done by plumber)
Moving radiators
Insulation above internal garage ceiling
Relocating loft hatch
Restore old doorway into garage (now a window)
Create new internal door into garage
Part convert garage into utility

(Undecided about garage- whether it stays as garage or becomes part utility)

The fees for building control range from £160-£450. Would each of the above count as a separate application, or can they be combined into a single project?

grumbler

Are you sure that "each of the above" needs BC approval?

Bendy_House

I'm sure this will be confirmed, but the only work on there that strikes me as requiring BC oversight is 'converting the garage into habitable space'. That would surely include all the aspects in one application; insulation, internal door, restoring old door, utility. 

Moving rads & cylinder ain't BC. Combining bath&toilet COULD be if a structural wall needs taking down.

Section62

Bendy_House said:

I'm sure this will be confirmed, but the only work on there that strikes me as requiring BC oversight is 'converting the garage into habitable space'. That would surely include all the aspects in one application; insulation, internal door, restoring old door, utility. 

Moving rads & cylinder ain't BC. Combining bath&toilet COULD be if a structural wall needs taking down.

Google should be your friend...

https://www.cncbuildingcontrol.gov.uk/faqs/need-permission-install-replace-hot-water-cylinder/

When installing or replacing a hot water cylinder within a vented hot water storage system (i.e. a system fed from an open-ended pipe for venting). The requirements are for the installation to be energy efficient. If you employ an installer registered with the Institute of Plumbing for a vented system, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service.

The need for BC approval/notification for the other work will depend on the details.  For example, if installing a loft hatch requires alterations to the roof structure.

Creation of a new internal door from the 'garage' will require the creation of a new structural opening, and consideration of prevention of spread of fire and smoke.  If the garage is fully converted the F+S requirements will be different.  The detail matters.

OP, you can combine the different elements into one application and pay one fee.  Ask your local building control service for advice on the best approach.

stuart45

As above you need to talk to your BCO, as rates will vary. Some offer a reduction for multiple elements, for example if building an extension and doing some alterations to the house, they may reduce the fee for the alterations, depending on how long you take with them.
Remember a trap hatch has to meet the insulation regs now.