Building control advice

Building control advice

Before you apply

See our before you apply page for information on types of applications and the approval you need.

The application process

The application process will differ depending on the type of application you will need. Below you will find some guidance on how the process moves forward once you have applied.

You can find further guidance on applying for building control when you have used the Planning Portal.

You can also find information on building regulations approval on the GOV.UK website.

Timeline

From submitting your application to full approval the process can take up to 5-8 weeks.

You will receive a notification that we have gotten your application, a notification when your application has been viewed and a notification when your application has been validated.

At this point you may be given conditional approval with details of these conditions included.

Your application may also be rejected.

If your application is approved

When you have been approved you will usually be provided with an Inspection Service Plan before you can start work. This will outline which parts of the work require inspection.  

See our book a site inspection page to find more information on this process.

Timelines for site inspections will all vary depending on the size and complexity of your project, the age of your home, construction type, the ground conditions and your builder's experience.

Once the work has been completed to the satisfaction of your local building control team, you will be issued with a completion certificate to show all the work is up to standard.

Homeowners vs Commercial

Homeowners

Building control for homeowners focuses on buildings made for the purpose of living in. This could be houses such as terraced or detached houses and flats.

For homeowners the focus is on safety for the inhabitants.

Regulations for structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency and accessibility may include:

• escape windows
• fire alarms
• stability of load bearing walls, floors and roofs
• insulation
• the potential for adaptations such as stair lifts or grab rails

Commercial

Building control for commercial properties has a wider range of regulations applied to it. For commercial properties building control must protect employees, customers and visitors. This means that considerations such as accessibility standards have to accommodate a broader span of needs.

For commercial properties the focus is on their diverse uses.

This means that regulations may have more complex requirements such as:

• fire suppression systems (such as sprinklers)
• clearly marked fire escape routes
• structural standards that can account for heavier machinery and more dynamic uses
• ramps
• accessible toilets
• lifts
• building management systems to account for energy usage  

Last updated 20 February 2026