Building control/ regs for new window

queenbee4000

Hi, I was hoping for some advice for some knowledgeable people. I’m putting in a window into my dining room which is currently solid brick. My builder has submitted a building control application and I have been asked to pay £300 to the council. Is this so the council can inspect the window once done and sign it off? My research has shown I don’t need planning permission for where it is but I believe I still need building regs? Also do I need a FENSA certificate on top of the building regs as my builder is not FENSA registered. Also worried about the cost as it is already adding up as I didn’t know about the council fees but if that’s all with what would be expected that’s fine, just want to check before I pay. Many thanks 

maisie_cat

FENSA is one of the self certificated schemes instead of building control certification, you won't need both.

ThisIsWeird

I suspect the £300 is for building control - they aren't so much worried about your new window, as the fact you are cutting a hole in your wall. They will want to see how you propose to prevent becoming homeless, and this will likely involve at least two visits.

Is your builder able to provide calcs for a lintel, for example? If not, expect to also need an SE's calculations :-(

FreeBear

maisie_cat said:

FENSA is one of the self certificated schemes instead of building control certification, you won't need both.

FENSA will not cover installation of lintels (or at least I don't think they do). If Building Control are signing off on any lintel plus window, there will be no requirement for FENSA paperwork - BC trumps FENSA.

stuart45

If you're cutting out for window in a wall it's a structural alteration that needs signing off by BC. FENSA doesn't cover this.

silvercar

Exactly as others have said. We’ve recently done the same and have building regs sign off from the council and a Fensa certificate from the window installer. We had to pay a structural engineer for drawings to submit to the council. Our builder sorted out the council inspection visits.

queenbee4000

silvercar said:

Exactly as others have said. We’ve recently done the same and have building regs sign off from the council and a Fensa certificate from the window installer. We had to pay a structural engineer for drawings to submit to the council. Our builder sorted out the council inspection visits.

@silvercar that’s useful thank you- so you had a fensa certificate too but my builder is not fensa registered so I’m worried I will have to pay for that too. Thanks for your response 

silvercar

queenbee4000 said:

silvercar said:

Exactly as others have said. We’ve recently done the same and have building regs sign off from the council and a Fensa certificate from the window installer. We had to pay a structural engineer for drawings to submit to the council. Our builder sorted out the council inspection visits.

@silvercar that’s useful thank you- so you had a fensa certificate too but my builder is not fensa registered so I’m worried I will have to pay for that too. Thanks for your response 

The builder contracted the window supply and fit to a window company that is FENSA registered.