Whilst we understand that most people need to keep a careful eye on the cost of building an extension to their home, you could considerably affect the value of your home if you carry out alterations or extensions that don't comply with the Building Regulations (and you also may be breaking the law).

Here are some simple steps that explain how the application process works.

Step 1  Find out whether or not you need Building Regulation approval.  You must also check whether you need planning permission. See the planning pages for more information on this service. If planning permission is needed, it may be sensible to wait until this permission is granted before submitting a Building Regulation application.

Step 2  If you need Building Regulation approval and you are submitting a Full Plans application, you should employ an experienced professional to prepare and submit the application for you. For example, a surveyor, builder, consultant or other agent.

Together with your application form, you will need to send us plans that include detailed construction information, from the depth of the foundations to the height of a chimney.

Whilst you can draw these plans yourself, you will need to have a very good knowledge of construction and have read and understood the Building Regulations and the Approved Documents. Employing a professional, may help to make the process more speedy and efficient.

Step 3  You will need to submit a Full Plans application or a Building Notice

Step 4  When we receive your application, we will check that you have filled in the form correctly, submitted the detailed plans we need and sent us the correct fee. If you have, your application is valid, and we will acknowledge it by sending you a letter within 4 working days of registering your application. This letter will include the name and phone number of the case officer who will be dealing with your application.

If we need more information from you, we will write to you within 10 days explaining what information is needed. You should send this extra information to us as soon as possible.

If we think that your first proposal isn't acceptable, but that it could be improved, we will make some suggestions.  In this situation, we may need more time to consider your revised application. We are unlikely to ask for changes to a full plans application that clearly does not comply with the Building Regulations.  In this situation, we will suggest that you withdraw your application before it is refused.

We have a statutory five week target to make a decision on your full plans application. However, you can agree to give us a further three weeks by ticking the appropriate box on the application form. In some cases, full approval for a large development may take longer and be carried out in stages.

Step 5  Unlike planning, we don't inform your neighbours about your proposed work and plans aren't available for the public to look at unless you write to us to say you are happy for this to happen. We do recommend that you let your neighbours know about the work you are planning.

Step 6  Whilst we are considering your plans, you should to speak to a number of experienced builders and get estimates for carrying out the work. 

Step 7  If we are happy that the work you are proposing will meet the Building Regulations, we will approve your full plans application. 

Step 8  You must to let us know when you start the work on site. We then carry out a series of site inspections, at various stages of construction, to make sure that the work is meeting the Building Regulations. Although we do make these inspections, it is your responsibility that the work complies with the approved plans. If it doesn't, it will have to be altered or demolished.

Step 9  If we are happy that the work you are carrying out meets the Building Regulations, we will issue you with a completion certificate. This document provides evidence that the the work proposed is to an acceptable standard. It is a very useful and important document to have when you are selling or remortgaging a property.