Full Building Drawings or not
When you are considering having some building work done on
your home there are two ways to deal with compliance with the Building
Regulations.
You can either make a Full Plans application or a Building
Notice application. These are two very different processes and it is important to
consider carefully the implications of going down either route. To make a Full Plans application you
will require 2 sets of building plans and a specification of how the work is to
be carried out. To make a Building Notice application you only require an
application form and a block plan.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages:
Full Plans application
The advantages:
·
* Your
building plans are checked against the standards required by the Building
Regulations and any amendments are requested at an early stage. You
will also receive a list of the inspections required during the course of the
works;
·
*You will receive a document confirming that your
plans are compliant;
· *Both you and your builder have the reassurance
of knowing that most elements of the job have been agreed before work starts;
·
*The builder has the benefit of working in
accordance with an approved plan and hopefully there will be no surprises;
·
*Once work has started you will receive various
inspections at regular intervals during construction;
·
*The building plans can form the basis of a
contractual agreement between you and your builder and hopefully avoid any
fundamental disputes at a later date.
The disadvantages:
· *You will require the services of a
Building/Planning consultant to prepare a full set of scale drawings including
technical specification
·
*You should wait for the work to be approved
before starting the job.
Building Notice application
The advantages:
·
You can start the job immediately
The disadvantages:
·
*Your builder does not have drawings to work to;
·
*You take the risk that your job does not comply
with the Building Regulations;
·
*You need to be very sure that you or your
builder is familiar with all the relevant regulations and you will need to
prove that the works comply when the Building Control Inspector visits the site;
·
*Errors and faults are usually found after they
are done and consequently are more expensive to remedy;
·
*The building control fees for a Building Notice
application are generally more expensive than Full Plans applications;
·
*You are effectively taking the whole risk of
making sure the work complies with the Building Regulations on your own
shoulders.
Clearly if is just a small job such as installing a shower
then on balance a Building Notice application makes sense but for anything
larger then having a Planning Consultant on board will ensure the work is
compliant and is completed more efficiently.
Give us a call or send us an Email and we will be happy to
discuss your options or speak to your local Building Inspector at Solihull
Council
Tel.07508472667
