4 Things You Need To Know About Home Improvement Regulations

There are tens of ways you can contribute to the well being of your home- from tiny touch ups to something more serious like plumbing renovation. But there are a few details you need to know about before you start your home improvements. Regardless if you’re going to DIY your way out of this one or rely on a trustworthy professional, you need to know which home repair projects (big or small) require building regulations approval. So, let’s start with the things you need to know in order to carry the property maintenance and repair tasks without any problems.

1. When Would You Need Approval?

An interesting question which has a rather simple answer. You’d need a licensed professional when you’re planning a major renovation having to do with electrical, plumbing and property structure makeovers.

2. Building And Planning Permissions

There is a considerable difference between these two, so you need to know it before you start your refurb tasks.

1) Planning

This permission involves builders activities only, which basically means that when you plan to construct a building , you’d need this. There are three intentions which fall under that category. When you want to build a structure literally from the ground up. If modify a building in order to change its functionality, it would be best to apply for this permission, as changing the function of a building requires a lot of serious refurbishments. When you wish to expand your property by adding an extension.

Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org

2) Building

Home improvement which involve electric fuse change, plumbing installation or replacement, replace roof coverings, doors and windows, heating system or radiators replacement and installation.Home improvement projects which apply to this category as well are replacements, repairs and installation of oil tanks, glazing units. Home improvement tasks like these might be a little confusing and that’s why you check if you need a permit for some of the common projects.

3. No-Permission Tasks

This group of enhancements includes any type of smaller fixes and maintenance, changing existing electrical circuits, power and lighting points, or changing door locks. These tasks do not make a significant structural or functional change of the buildings in question.

4. What Happens If You Don’t Follow The Rules?

During the building work a Building Control Service inspector will make sure you keep all the regulations. The inspector does not have the authority to enforce the law, so to say. They’re only entitled to advise you on the building work. If you don’t keep the rules, the inspector will be required to take the problem to the Local Authorities, which, in their turn will demand you to change the building work, you’ve completed so far. Moreover, you won’t be able to to receive a final certificate. This will automatically become an obstacle when you try to sell your property, as the non-completion certificate will result in an inquiry. And let’s not forget that no potential buyer will agree to offer you a price and buy your property, if you don’t have a post-construction certificate.