Building regulations approval for homeowners

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) front door

The LABC have recently updated a free, independent and expert advice service.

This is aimed at helping support general enquiries and includes an extensive FAQs section as well as the opportunity to ask a question.

Support with building control enquiries

There are a number of places where you can find free and helpful advice for building control projects and processes.

Planning Portal

The Planning Portal can help you:

• find out how to get approval
• download relevant approved documents

LABC Front Door

The LABC front door website provides a wide range of building control information and useful guidance.

You can also use the Ask Anna chat service, where your query will be sent directly to an appointed LABC officer who will provide free, independent and expert advice to your enquiry.

Common building works requiring approval

Many popular home improvement projects require approval, including conversions, extensions and cavity wall insulation. Being so complicated, it is important that you understand what you need to do. 

To help, you can:

• see if Building Regulations approval is required
• read further information on Building Regulations in Solihull

You can also contact us with any questions about the works you're planning.

Use our building regulations approval service

We're dedicated to delivering a first-class service for all home improvements in Solihull and offer a full building control service. To use our service, you can:

• check the fees for building regulations approval
• check the building regulations approved documents on the Planning Portal
• complete a full plans application form
• complete a building notice application form
• complete a building notice with electrical installation application form
• complete a (retrospective) building regularisation form (you should make every effort to have building regulations approval before any work begins)
• complete a Reversion application form

Selecting the right builder

Ensuring your home improvements comply with building regulations is your responsibility. Selecting a competent builder helps ensure this. To avoid choosing a poor quality builder you should:

• get a plan of the work to be done
• get the right consents and permissions
• ask friends and family for recommendations
• ask to see previous and ongoing work
• get at least 3 quotations
• obtain a written contract
• ensure they have the right insurances in place
• not pay in advance
• agree to pay final settlement upon receipt of the building control completion certificate

Further advice to help select the best builder for the job is available from the No Rogue Traders Here scheme, which aims to promote reliable traders. You should also choose a builder that is a member of reputable trade organisation such as:

• The Federation of Master Builders
• Trustmark
• The National Federation of Builders
• The National Federation of Roofers
• The Chartered Institute of Building

Other permissions needed

In some cases, other authorisation will be needed before work starts. Advice on what other permission may be needed is available at the Planning Portal, and for you it may include seeking approval for:

• ancient monuments
• covenants and private rights
• wildlife and protected species
• the party wall
• rights of way

How personal data is used on a building regulations application

As a statutory obligation, we hold a register of all valid building regulations applications. All documents and other information submitted are publicly available.

This information is used strictly in accordance with The Data Protection Act and in line with the Information Commissioner’s Office Guidance on Planning and Building Regulation Information.

This means that only personal information in the public interest will be used online. As a result, we will remove:

• personal email addresses
• signatures
• telephone numbers