london home renovation

When planning a home extension, loft conversion or internal alteration, most UK homeowners ask the same question early on:
“Do I need building regulations approval?”

The short answer? In most cases, yes. Building regulations are legal standards that ensure your project is safe, structurally sound, energy-efficient and accessible. Yet there’s a lot of confusion around what they are, who enforces them and how they differ from planning permission.

Let’s break it down — clearly and simply.

What Are Building Regulations?

Building regulations are a set of technical standards that apply to most construction projects in England and Wales. These rules cover important areas such as:

Structural safety
Fire safety
Energy efficiency and insulation
Ventilation and drainage
Accessibility
Plumbing and electrical safety

These standards are enforced by either your local council’s Building Control department or by a private approved inspector. Whether you’re planning a simple rear extension or a full loft conversion, your project will likely need to comply with these regulations.

Do You Always Need Building Regulations Approval?

In most cases, yes. Here are the types of projects that generally do require building regulations approval:

Single-storey or double-storey rear extensions
Loft conversions
Garage conversions
Removing load-bearing walls
Most internal reconfigurations (especially if they affect structure or fire safety)

On the other hand, smaller projects like unheated conservatories or small porches under 30m² may not require building regulations — but it’s always worth checking with a professional first.

Common Misunderstanding: Building Regulations Drawings Are Not the Same as Building Control Approval

This is one of the most common points of confusion for homeowners.

People often assume that once they’ve received “building regulations drawings,” they’re good to go. But that’s not the full picture.

Here’s what really happens:

Building regulations drawings are detailed technical plans that show how your proposed works intend to comply with UK building standards.
These drawings are usually prepared by a professional (like us at Go Plans), and they show important details like insulation levels, escape routes, ventilation, and compliance with structural and safety rules.
However, these drawings must still be submitted to Building Control, along with supporting documents like structural engineering and calculations from an engineer.
Only once Building Control reviews and accepts the submission will your project be formally approved.
During the build, Building Control officers will also inspect key stages of construction to make sure it matches the approved plans.

So remember: building regulations drawings help demonstrate compliance, but they are not an automatic approval on their own.

What Happens If You Skip Building Regulations/Building Control?

Skipping building regulations might seem tempting to save time, but it can lead to serious issues:

You could face fines or enforcement action from your local authority.
Unapproved work may need to be ripped out or redone.
Future buyers or solicitors could flag missing certificates when selling your property.
Worst of all, the work could be unsafe — compromising your family’s safety and your investment.

It’s simply not worth the risk.

How Go Plans Can Help

At Go Plans, we handle the entire process — so you don’t have to stress over paperwork, approvals or technical details.

We provide:

Architectural drawings and planning submission
Detailed building regulations plans
Full structural engineering and calculations
A clear scope of work and technical specifications
Submission to Building Control on your behalf
Matching you with the Right Contractor
Project management support if needed during the build