1. Is this a building regulations issue?
Look for structure, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, drainage, electrics, heating or missing certificates. Planning permission is a separate track.
Start with the right question
2. Which route fits?
Compare full plans, building notice, competent person self-certification, regularisation or specialist/BSR advice before work starts.
3. What proof should you keep?
Record drawings, calculations, inspection notes, certificates, product records and photos before work is covered up.
Check if approval is likely
Start with the approval question before quotes or work.
Choose an application route
Compare full plans, building notice and risk.
Check certificates
Know when a registered installer can self-certify.
Use the route checker
Get a source-linked next-step prompt.
Separate planning from building regs
Use the sister-site map for the planning handoff.
Keep the right evidence
Documents and certificates to save before work is hidden.
Use the sister sites together
Planning permission
Use UKPlanningGuide for permitted development, prior approval, local planning policy and whether the development is allowed.
Building regulations
Use this site for building-control routes, inspections, Approved Documents, certificates and evidence to keep.
Project starting points
Building regulations for extensions
Extension guide covering structure, insulation, drainage, fire safety, ventilation and completion evidence.
Loft conversion building regulations
Fire escape, stairs, structure, insulation and ventilation requirements to discuss with building control.
Garage conversion building regulations
Conversion checks for structure, damp, insulation, ventilation, fire safety and sound.
Outbuilding building regulations
When garden buildings, offices and workshops move from exempt/simple to building-control relevant.
Garden room building regulations
Garden office and habitable-use risk checks including electrics, drainage, sleeping use and size.
Structural alteration building regulations
England-first homeowner guide to structural alteration building regulations, covering likely building-control routes, drawings, inspections, certificates, evidence and planning handoffs.
Removing a load-bearing wall building regulations
Beam, padstone, calculations, inspection and completion evidence guide.
Windows and doors building regulations
Glazing, safety, thermal performance, ventilation and certificate evidence.
Electrical work building regulations
England-first homeowner guide to electrical work building regulations, covering likely building-control routes, drawings, inspections, certificates, evidence and planning handoffs.
Boiler and heating building regulations
Heating work, combustion appliances, competent person route and certificate evidence.
Drainage and waste building regulations
Drainage runs, new bathrooms, kitchens, extensions and soakaway/connection questions.