What is Building Regulation Approval / Certificate?

What is Building Regulation Approval / Certificate?

Starting a new building project, extension, or even a major internal alteration can be exciting. But before the first brick is laid or the first wall is knocked down, there’s one crucial process you must tackle: Building Regulation Approval.

It’s often confused with Planning Permission, but it serves a very different and equally vital purpose. Simply put, it’s a legal necessity that ensures your building work meets minimum standards for health, safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility.

Planning Permission decides if you can build; Building Regulation Approval ensures how you build is safe, compliant, and detailed enough for a contractor to execute.

What Exactly is Building Regulation Approval?

Building Regulation Approval is the process where your local authority or an approved private inspector checks that your building work adheres to the technical standards set out by law.

In England and Wales, these standards are governed by the Building Regulations 2010, supported by the detailed guidance within the Approved Documents.

This isn’t about aesthetics or design style; it’s about making sure your structure is safe, sustainable, and fit for purpose. Approval is achieved through the submission of detailed Building Regulations Drawings—also known as Working Drawings—that show exactly how the building will meet compliance requirements.

The Blueprint for Compliance: Planning vs Building Regulations Drawings

To successfully navigate the approval process, it’s essential to understand the two main types of architectural drawings involved in a project.

Planning Drawings
These are high-level, conceptual drawings focused on the appearance, size, and location of your project. They’re used to gain Planning Permission or confirmation of Permitted Development rights. You can learn more about these in our guide to Design and Planning Drawings.

Building Regulations Drawings
Created after planning approval, these are the technical blueprints that translate your design into a practical, compliant construction plan. They include:

• Structural sections and material specifications
• Insulation and ventilation details
• Construction methods
• Fire safety and accessibility notes

These drawings are what Building Control reviews to ensure compliance with regulations. In addition to architectural drawings, projects often require supplementary information such as structural calculations from a qualified Structural Engineer and SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) reports for energy efficiency.

What Do the Regulations Cover? The Core Pillars

The Building Regulations cover a wide range of standards that ensure your project is safe, efficient, and fit for long-term use. Some of the key areas include:

• Safety and Accessibility: Ensures the structure is stable, fire-safe, and accessible for all users. This includes proper escape routes, safe materials, and consideration for disabled access.
• Energy Efficiency: Sets performance standards for insulation and energy conservation, helping reduce your carbon footprint and lower energy bills.
• Health and Hygiene: Covers ventilation, drainage, and heating systems to ensure a healthy indoor environment.

For a deeper look at fire protection requirements, see our blog on Building Regulation Part B (Fire Safety).

Work That Requires Approval (Don’t Guess!)

The scope of work requiring Building Regulation Approval is broad. You’ll almost certainly need approval if you are:

• Building a new property or extending an existing one (see our Double Storey Extensions guide)
• Making major structural alterations, such as removing a load-bearing wall
• Completing a loft conversion or garage conversion
• Changing the use of a building, for example, converting an office into a flat
• Installing new drainage or a heat-producing appliance, like a boiler or wood-burning stove
• Adding cavity wall insulation or structural openings

It’s illegal to start work that requires approval without having it in place first.

The Unmissable Benefits of Getting Approval

Skipping Building Regulation Approval might seem like a shortcut, but the consequences far outweigh any short-term time savings. Obtaining proper approval is vital for three main reasons.

1. Legal Compliance and Protection

Failure to comply is a criminal offence. Local authorities can issue fines, force corrective work, or in extreme cases, order demolition. Getting approval ensures peace of mind knowing your work has been inspected, verified, and recorded as compliant from the outset.

2. Property Saleability

When your project passes its final inspection, the authority issues a Building Regulations Completion Certificate. This certificate is vital when selling your property. Without it, you may face significant delays, reduced property value, or even failed sales during conveyancing.

3. Safety Assurance

Building Regulation Approval ensures your property is structurally sound, fire-safe, and built to protect its occupants for years to come.

In Summary

Building Regulation Approval is not just paperwork—it’s the foundation of a safe, legal, and high-quality build. It ensures your project meets national standards for safety, health, energy efficiency, and accessibility.

Before you pick up a tool, make sure you have your detailed Building Regulations Drawings and all necessary calculations ready. To understand how the full process works from start to finish, visit our How It Works page.

Getting it right from the start saves you time, money, and stress—and gives you confidence that your home meets every legal and safety standard.