The Building Regulations Design Consultants for London & Essex

Our Building Regulations Stage Services

Additional Services for New Build Projects

How Do I Obtain Building Regulations Approval?

You will need to submit detailed technical drawings and specifications, structural engineering design and calculations, and other supporting design work to the building control body under a formal building control application. Once approved, the building regulations design package can be used to obtain builder quotations, and will then also be used to actually build your project on site.

 Whether you’re overseeing a self-build or planning on making structural extensions or improvements to an existing property, one thing is for certain: your project must adhere to UK building regulations legislation.

To ensure current buildings regulations are adhered to, it’s essential to appoint a professional, trustworthy and reliable building regulations design consultant, like Humphreys and Sons. If you do not, and rely on a designer who is merely a drafting technician, or is only knowledgeable about planning permission or artistic concepts, then you run the risk of your project being designed in an inefficient and financially wasteful way, and you also run a high risk of the building works being incorrect, leading to spiralling costs and delays on site, and also your project not being signed off by the building inspector. All too often, this can only come to light toward the end of a project, or even after the project is completed and after the builders have left, with disastrous consequences.

As building regulation experts with in-depth local knowledge of site conditions, codes of practice, local authority building control criteria and a wealth of experience in new builds, flat conversions, extensions, loft conversions and home improvements, you can rely on Humphreys and Sons to work with you to ensure all building regulations are met - even if your initial plans or concepts have been developed by another party. With an extensive understanding of planning laws within the London and Essex areas, our role is to ensure your project is safe and complies with all legal requirements as outlined by all relevant local and national authorities.

If you’re undertaking building work in Essex or London, it is important to choose a professional building regulations consultant to ensure no stone is left unturned when it comes to following the letter of the law, and designing efficiently. Without the necessary approvals, certificates and documentation, you may find it difficult to re-mortgage or sell a property which has been altered. You might also find yourself in the unenviable position of facing a fine for undertaking work which has not been approved by a relevant local authority, and needing to demolish and rebuild elements of your project, or even the entire project.

To avoid the headache of building regulations-related red tape, choose Humphreys and Sons to take a detailed look over your plans and ensure that your new build, extension or conversion meets all criteria - this will allow you to focus on the project at hand and not waste time and money on constant delays and corrections.

How to get buildings regulations approval in the UK?

If you’ve never had to apply for planning permission or buildings regulations approval in the UK, you might find the initial process somewhat confusing. Don’t worry - this is perfectly normal. To ensure your building project qualifies for building regulations approval in the UK, it is important to follow these six steps:

Choose a profession building regulations approval consultant

Building regulation consultants like Humphreys and Sons are impartial construction professionals with a wealth of knowledge regarding things like building regulation approved documents, codes of practice, local planning laws and building regulations which all new builds must comply with. Having a full and in-depth knowledge of the regulations means that everything is designed correctly right from the start, and that knowledge will ensure that even at planning permission stage you are not unknowingly “designing in” non-compliances and technical problems, to be discovered and paid for further down the line.

The purpose of using a professional buildings regulations approval consultant is to ensure that you receive your building regulation approved document with the minimum of fuss.

Produce the designs and specifications

It is essentially that a thorough set of building regulations plans is produced, which is compliant with all building regulations, and takes into account the specifics of your project and building. The building regulations plans are the most important step in the process, and will ensure that your project is designed and built efficiently, safely, cost effectively and with maximum value achieved from your building and project, in addition to vastly minimising the chances of delays, increased costs, errors and general confusion on site.

Submit your building regulations application

There are two ways to contact your local building control authority: you can do so via a Full Plans application, where all drawings, calculations and specifications are submitted. Alternatively, you can submit a Building Notice, which will meet approved building regulations provided there is proof of all requirements being bet on site. While a “Full Plans” building regulation application should provide you with more assurance. Humphreys and Sons do not condone the Building Notice approach, as it is essential to obtain the reassurance of an approved set of plans, before the building work commences and before builder quotations are sought, as doing so on just a building notice is an unacceptable risk, and the vagueness almost always results in increased costs, delays and errors on site.

Once Humphreys and Sons has submitted a watertight building regulations application on your behalf, you should receive your buildings regulations certificate in a matter of weeks.

Begin your work!

The beauty of using a building regulations consultant is that you can rest assured in the knowledge that your application adheres to all legislation. It’s generally accepted that you can begin work once your application has been professionally checked and approved. While a building control inspector might want to inspect your work at various stages of the build, you can continue to make inroads on your project with peace of mind that your plans meet all criteria, and not be in constant fear of the inspector visiting site and finding errors and non-compliances.

Expect a visit

The building control inspector will generally take a look at things like foundations, drainage, substructure and ground floor, walls, upper floors, roof structure, fireproofing, energy efficiency, insulation and structural engineering work. This is standard practice for any building project, and with a reliable building regulation consultant on your side, you won’t have anything to worry about.

Post-completion checks

Once building work has finished, the building inspector will visit to ensure that your property meets all relevant building regulations prior to its occupation. When they’re happy that your build meets all criteria, you’ll be issued with a completion certificate.

Can I use my building regulations plans to obtain builder quotations?

Whilst the building regulations plans should not be relied upon as the sole document when it comes to obtaining quotation, if they are sufficiently thorough and detailed they can form an essential part of the builder quotations process. Having confidence in your building regulations plans can also translate into confidence in your builder, as you are reducing reliance on your builders having to fill in large gaps in the design themselves, which can often be risky.

Do I have to appoint the council to approve my building regulations plans and inspect on site?

Unlike planning permission applications, you are not obliged to use the local authority/local council to act as the building control body, as the industry is privatised and you can instead us certain (government approved) companies to carry out this role instead. Whilst it us ultimately your choice of course, Humphreys and Sons strongly recommend the use of a private building control company (known as Approved Inspectors) instead of the local authority, for many reasons. We have excellent relationships with several Approved Inspectors, and for that reason we would always recommend using them instead.

What if need to build over or close to a public sewer?

This problem can occur on projects of all sizes, and Humphreys and Sons are experts in resolving with this, and we can deal with all aspects of the design, and formal applications to the relevant bodies, for legal permissions. You will need to go through this process if you are building over, or within 3m of a public sewer, or if you need to connect into a public sewer. Most people are surprised to hear that, under the latest regulations, a “Public Sewer” is now defined as any sewer which is shared by two or more different properties, so it is therefore very common for a public sewer to be within the land and gardens of many properties. Many small rear extension projects, for examples, will need to build over or near to a public sewer. Not achieving the required permissions will prevent the building inspector from approving your project, and can also lead to legal and financial consequences.

Stages of building regulations in the UK

To achieve approval, your building project will need to adhere to all relevant building regulations in the UK. Your building regulations consultant will ensure each of the following important stages of UK building regulation legislation are met:

Building Regulations Part A

Part A of the Building Regulations documentation pertains to guidance on structures. It contains information regarding the safety and stability of buildings, encompassing walls, roofs, steelwork and foundations.

Building Regulations Part B

Building Regulation Part B documentation is available in two parts. Each of these addresses fire precautions. Both volumes cover dwellings and address the same issues, but information has been adapted to remain pertinent to different structures (for example, homes have different escape routes to apartment blocks). Fire safety is of course life safety, and designing your building to meet these criteria is not only important for the project, it can save lives.

Building Regulations Part F

Approved Building Regulation Part F is designed to provide guidance on ventilation and extraction, including the prevention of condensation and the promotion of good air quality. This document is useful when designing or commissioning mechanical ventilation solutions.

Building Regulations Part L

Building Regulation Part L covers the conservation of power and fuel. It essentially sets the standards for carbon emissions and energy performance, insulation, heating and hot water. It also encompasses matters such as microgeneration, solar panels, heat pumps and other green eco systems. This document covers new and existing buildings and will apply regardless of whether you’re undertaking a brand new project, adding an extension or converting a pre-existing building.

Building Regulations Part M

Part M of the Building Regulations documentation requires that adequate provisions are made so that people can access buildings, use their facilities and navigate their environs. This includes ensuring things like toilets/bathrooms are easily accessible to visitors or occupants with disabilities. This regulation can often cause big problems on projects of all sizes, they are ever-changing and rectifying incorrectly built work on site can often be difficult, and destructive.

Building Regulations Part K

Part K Building Regulations focuses on the safety of stairs, and the protection from falls, collisions and impacts within the wider context of the building. These regulations are often pertinent during conversions or extensions which involve the implementation of new stairs, and also matter such as windows and balconies.

Building Regulation Part H

Part H of the Building Regulations is designed to provide guidance for drainage and waste compliance. If your new build contains a kitchen or bathroom area, you will need to pay particular attention to these codes of practice. A proper drainage design is often a neglected aspect of design, and it is of course essential for projects of all sizes. Building over of connecting into a pubic sewer without permission, or building a soakaway that is inadequately sized or in impermeable ground, can have disastrous consequences and lead to both financial and legal implications.

Building Regulations Part P

Part P of the Building Regulations pertains to electrical safety, including fixed installations in all dwellings. Most jobs undertaken by electrical contractors are covered in Part P.

Build Regulations for Staircase

If you find yourself searching for terms like “building regulations staircases” and “building regulations stairs”, now might be a good time to consider hiring Humphreys and Sons as your building regulation consultant. Staircase regulations can get complicated without the right guidance because they cover a lot of ground (no pun intended), including required headroom space, staircase dimensions, steepness of the staircase, handrail specifications and more. Designing a staircase properly actually requires a lot of thought, and consideration of 3D space and shape, rather than simply drawing it on a floorplan and hoping for the best.

To ensure a compliant with building regulations staircase, your project should adhere to all guidelines in Part K: Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact. These guidelines stipulate that all staircase steps must be level, and they must be designed, manufactured and installed safely.

Step construction

Nosing overlaps on steps within a domestic property should be at least 16mm. If your property is commercial, you might want to liaise with a building specialist for your specific requirements.

Staircase riser

Each step on the staircase must have the exact same rise. For example, it would be illegal to have the first three risers measuring 200mm, with the remainder measuring 205mm. However, a flat landing which breaks up a staircase allows for a change in risers and goings. Despite this, maintaining consistency among staircase risers is recommended to reduce any fall risk.

What is the maximum rise of a staircase?

A domestic staircase cannot exceed a rise of 220mm and must have a minimum “going” of 220mm. The maximum pitch is 42 degrees.

What is the minimum width of a staircase?

There is various guidance on minimum staircase width, depending on the nature of the building and the staircase situation, and you should consult with a building regulations specialist for guidance.

Does my staircase need a handrail?

If your staircase is wider than 1 metre, it should have a handrail on both sides. Staircases less than 1 metre in width should ideally have a handrail on at least one side. Having said this, every situation is different, and you should consult with a building regulations specialist for guidance.

If you require further information regarding staircase building regulations, please do not hesitate to contact Humphreys and Sons today. A member of our friendly and experienced team will be happy to discuss your project and advise how we can help it to meet even the most stringent of regulations.

Building Regulations for Conservatory

It might come as no surprise that conservatories are some of the most popular self-build projects in the UK. It, therefore, makes sense that many people take to the search engines with terms like “building regulations for conservatories” each year. If you’re wondering which building regulations for conservatory projects you’ll need to adhere to, you might be pleasantly surprised. You might not even need planning permission or building regulations approval for a conservatory, provided it:

Is constructed at ground level and follows the dimensional limitations of both permitted development and the building regulations.

Is separated from the existing house by external walls, windows or doors.

Contains fixed installations which apply with applicable building regulation requirements.

It is advisable to refrain from constructing conservatories in areas where they might restrict ladder access to windows which serve rooms in roof/loft conversions - particularly if these windows are designed to play a role in rescue/escape in the event of a fire. You should also stick to general guidance regarding materials and fire safety when designing/constructing your new conservatory.

If you would like a further explanation of the rules and regulations surrounding the construction of a conservatory in the UK, you’ll undoubtedly find it beneficial to speak to the Humphreys and Sons team who will be happy to advise on your project.

Building Regulations for Loft Conversions

If you’re planning a loft conversion in London or Essex, you’ll probably be aware that any work undertaken must comply with UK building regulations. If you are intending to use your loft conversion as a habitable space, you will require building regulations approval. Depending on the nature of your loft conversion, it is possible that you might need planning permission in addition to meeting the relevant building regulations criteria.

What do loft conversion building regulations cover?

In England & Wales, the government provides a set of national minimum standards for construction projects. If you are intending on undertaking a London loft conversion, your project will need to meet these building regulations on loft conversions, which cover may aspects, including the following:

Safety

Stability

Insulation

Ventilation

Fire escape

Drainage

When should I inform the relevant authorities about my loft conversion?

Ideally, you should inform your local authority and relevant building inspectors as early as possible in your project. This allows for plenty of time to get things in order prior to an inspection. Humphreys and Sons can do this on your behalf.

How can I ensure loft conversions building regulations are met?

The best way to ensure your Essex or London loft conversion meets the required standards is to avail of the services of a building regulations consultant. Whether you’ve already started work on the conversion or intend on submitting plans prior to commencing work, a dedicated consultancy like Humphreys and Sons can ensure that your project meets all criteria without a hitch.

We can be as involved or take as much of a back seat as you’d like. If you’d simply like some help with the relevant design and documentation, we can take a look at your plans and guide you in the right direction to ensure your loft conversion is compliant. If you need someone to help design and conceptualise your project, we’re on hand to deliver that too. No job is too big or too small, and we take pride in every project we undertake.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free, no-obligation quotation.