Building Regulations Approval Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building Regulations approval is separate from planning permission and equally non-negotiable. Choosing the right route saves weeks of delay and thousands in re-work.

The two approval routes

Full Plans submission

Drawings and calculations submitted upfront. Approval issued before work starts. The default for any significant or unusual work.

• Approval typically within 8 weeks
• Certainty before committing to construction
• Easier to value-engineer at design stage

Building Notice

No drawings submitted upfront — Local Authority Building Control inspects as you build. Quicker to start but riskier; defects identified on site can require expensive rework.

• 48-hour notification then start
• Suitable only for simple, conventional work
• Cannot be used in some scenarios (e.g. work near sewers)

Who approves it

Two options:

• Local Authority Local Authority Building Control (Local Authority): Council-employed surveyors. Inseparable from the area; generally well-respected but workload-dependent
• Competent Person (NHBRC / ECSA)s (private): Competitive, often faster, register your project with Local Authority who delegates inspection rights

Both produce the same Completion Certificate, which is what lenders and buyers care about.

Fees

Vary by project value. Typical 2026 rates for residential:

• Single-storey extension under R300k value: ~R12,000–R18,000
• Loft conversion: ~R14,000–R24,000
• Double-storey or larger: ~R18,000–R36,000
• New dwelling: ~R30,000–R60,000

Inspection stages

1. Commencement
2. Foundation excavation
3. Foundation concrete
4. DPC level
5. Drainage
6. Roof structure
7. Insulation and air-tightness
8. Completion

Give the inspector 24–48 hours notice for each stage. Missed inspections can require opening up completed work.

Common rejection causes

• Insufficient structural calculations
• Inadequate fire compartmentation in loft conversions
• Thermal performance failing Part L
• Stair design not meeting Part K (rise, going, headroom)
• Drainage falls or routing breaching Part H

MCFAR produces full Local Authority Building Control submission packs for extensions, loft conversions, and new builds.

Frequently Asked Questions