Building work at home
Our guide on how to get building regulations approval for work at home.
I'm ready to start work - what now?
You must apply for, and get, building regulations approval before you start work.
Please contact Lambeth Planning first, to see if you also need planning permission.
Building regulations approval and planning permission are completely different. If you apply for planning permission, you still need to check with us that your work meets building regulations.
Making an application for building regulations approval
To apply for building regulations approval you need to complete a building notice or full plans application form. Which of these applications you choose depends on the scale and type of work involved - please contact us for advice.
If you are planning to change your home in to any type of commercial property, you must submit a full plans application.
You can download an application form:
You can also complete and submit your application over the web at www.submit-a-plan.com (payment currently still has to be made by cheque, in person or sent through the post).
Please read the notes on the form and follow the advice to make sure we can process your application.
Within three working days of receiving your building notice or full plans application, we will send you a letter to confirm that we can process it.
You can then arrange the first inspection with our surveyor. You must do this at least two days before the work is due to begin.
Whatever type of application you make we will inspect the work in stages while it is being carried out, and we will give building regulations approval when the work has been finished to meet the requirements of the regulations.
Fee
There is a charge for both building notice and full plans applications - please refer to our fee sheet for details or call us on 020 7926 9000.
The fee must be sent in with your application.
All fees must be paid by cash or cheque only. Cheques should be made payable to 'London Borough of Lambeth'. Please write the address of the property and the application reference number on the back of the cheque to help us process it quickly and efficiently.
There are no fees for any work relating to specific disabled needs, for example, ramp access or a disabled toilet.
You need building regulations approval for:
- Building a new property or extension
- A loft conversion
- Replacing a boiler, windows, doors, etc
- Creating a through-lounge
- Converting a building into separate units
- Insulating a cavity wall
- Re-covering a roof
- Removing internal walls
- Making doorways and windows larger
- Building a garage
- Removing a chimney breast
- Creating a new bath/shower room.
What happens once the work is finished?
When the work is finished, by law you must arrange for our surveyor to carry out a final inspection.
Our surveyor will make sure that all the paperwork is complete, and that all the work complies with building regulations.
All the fees must have been paid too, otherwise a completion certificate will not be issued.
Completion certificate
The completion certificate will only be sent out to you if you request it and there is a charge. You will need to send us the fee for it before it is sent out to you.
The certificate will be useful for you to have in the future, particularly if you decide to sell your house or flat – prospective buyers may wish to see it.
Most solicitors will insist on having a copy before exchanging contracts.
It is also a good way of making sure that your builders have done all the necessary work to meet the regulations before you pay their bill.
Who to contact
The Building Control Department has relocated.
Our address is Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2LL. Please note that telephone and email contact details remain the same.
Building Control
Phoenix House
10 Wandsworth Road
London
SW8 2LL
Phone: 020 7926 9000
Fax: 020 7926 0530
Email: buildingcontrol@lambeth.gov.uk
Opening hours