Understanding Building Control and Building Regulations Compliance for Your Construction Project
Updated: 9 hours ago
Whether you are planning a home extension, renovation, new dwelling or commercial development, understanding the Building Regulations and Building Control process is an important part of bringing your project forward.
In England, most building work must comply with the Building Regulations 2010, made under the Building Act 1984. These requirements are intended to help ensure that building work achieves appropriate standards in areas such as structural safety, fire safety, ventilation, energy efficiency, accessibility, drainage and sanitation.
For many projects, you can choose to appoint either a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) or a Local Authority to undertake the Building Control function. An RBCA provides an independent Building Control service, assessing the relevant design information and inspecting building work as it progresses.
At Meadows & Turner Building Compliance Ltd, we provide professional Building Control services for domestic and commercial projects, helping clients, designers and contractors understand and address Building Regulations requirements throughout the project.
What is Building Control?
Building Control is the process of checking that applicable building work complies with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
Building Control is separate from planning permission. Planning permission and Building Regulations approval are different requirements, and obtaining one does not necessarily mean that you have obtained the other.
Building Control is primarily concerned with the technical and construction requirements of the Building Regulations. Depending on the nature of the project, this can include matters such as:
Structural stability and structural safety
Fire safety
Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
Toxic substances
Resistance to sound
Ventilation
Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency
Drainage and waste disposal
Protection from falling, collision and impact
Conservation of fuel and power and energy efficiency
Access to and use of buildings
Electrical safety
Overheating
Infrastructure for electric vehicle charging
Security and other applicable requirements
The relevant requirements depend upon the type, use, size, location and circumstances of the building work.
The Government's Approved Documents provide guidance on ways of demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations. They cover the various technical requirements and provide commonly used approaches and solutions.
What is a Registered Building Control Approver?
A Registered Building Control Approver, or RBCA, is a private-sector organisation registered to undertake building control work within its registered scope.
Under the current regulatory framework, private-sector businesses undertaking building control work in England must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The BSR maintains a register containing information about registered approvers, including their registration details and the types of building control work they are registered to undertake.
The use of an RBCA gives the person undertaking the building work an alternative to using the local authority for Building Control, where the project is eligible for the RBCA route.
The role of the RBCA is to provide an independent Building Control function. This is different from the role of the designer, contractor or project manager.
Why is Building Control important?
Building Control is an important part of the construction process because the Building Regulations establish minimum standards intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of people in and around buildings.
Good Building Control can also help identify potential issues before they become more difficult or expensive to address during construction.
For a client or property owner, engaging with Building Control at an early stage can provide greater clarity about the information and standards that will need to be considered as the project develops.
However, it is important to understand that Building Control is not a substitute for competent design, proper construction or project management.
The responsibility for ensuring that building work is properly designed and constructed remains with the relevant dutyholders and those undertaking the work.
Building Regulations are only one part of the legal requirements
A construction project may be subject to a range of legal and regulatory requirements in addition to the Building Regulations.
Depending on the project, these may include:
Planning legislation and planning permission
The Building Regulations 2010
The Building Act 1984
The Building Safety Act 2022
Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations 2015
Fire safety legislation
Environmental legislation
Electrical safety requirements
Gas safety requirements
Party Wall etc. Act 1996
Licensing or other requirements applicable to particular types of development or premises
For example, CDM 2015 applies to construction projects and establishes health and safety duties for those involved in construction work. These responsibilities are separate from the Building Control function.
It is therefore important to identify the requirements applicable to your particular project rather than assuming that Building Control approval covers every aspect of the development.
The Building Control process
1. Discuss your project with an RBCA
It is beneficial to engage with Building Control as early as possible.
Providing information about the proposed work allows the RBCA to understand the nature and complexity of the project and identify the Building Control services that may be required.
Depending on the project, information may include architectural drawings, structural information, specifications, site details and details of the intended use of the building.
2. Obtain a fee proposal
Following an initial review, your RBCA can provide a fee proposal for the Building Control services required.
The scope and complexity of the project will influence the level of Building Control input required.
At Meadows & Turner, we aim to provide clear and transparent proposals so that clients understand the Building Control service being provided from the outset.
3. Submit the appropriate application
Depending on the circumstances of the project, the appropriate Building Control application or notification will need to be made.
For many projects this may involve an application for building control approval with full plans, while other projects may be subject to different procedures.
The correct route depends upon the nature and circumstances of the proposed building work and the applicable legislation.
Where an RBCA is appointed, the relevant statutory procedures must be followed in accordance with the Building Act, Building Regulations and the regulations governing Registered Building Control Approvers.
4. Assessment of plans and technical information
Where a Full Plans application is made, the submitted plans and supporting technical information are assessed against the applicable requirements of the Building Regulations.
The assessment may identify matters requiring clarification, additional information or amendments to the proposed design.
Early identification of these matters can help reduce the potential for problems later in the construction process.
5. Construction begins
Once the relevant Building Control procedures have been completed and the project is ready to proceed, construction can begin subject to the applicable statutory requirements and any other permissions or approvals that may be required.
The person carrying out the work remains responsible for constructing the project in accordance with the Building Regulations and the approved design information where applicable.
6. Site inspections
Building Control inspections are carried out at appropriate stages of construction.
The purpose of an inspection is to enable the RBCA to assess relevant work that is visible and accessible at the time of inspection and to identify matters that may require further investigation, information or remedial action.
The frequency and timing of inspections will depend upon the nature, complexity and circumstances of the project.
It is important that the RBCA is notified at the required stages and that relevant work remains accessible for inspection where necessary.
Building Control inspections are not intended to provide continuous supervision of construction.
An RBCA does not take responsibility for managing the construction site or supervising the contractor's workmanship on behalf of the client.
7. Completion
Following completion of the building work, the RBCA will consider the information and inspection records available to it.
Where the applicable requirements have been satisfied and the relevant statutory conditions have been met, the appropriate completion documentation can be issued.
This documentation can form an important part of the property's records and may be required when selling, refinancing or otherwise dealing with the property.
What Building Control does not cover
It is important to understand the limits of the Building Control service.
Building Control is not a general construction management or site supervision service.
An RBCA does not:
Manage the construction project
Act as the client's contract administrator
Supervise contractors on a continuous basis
Guarantee the quality of workmanship
Take responsibility for the contractor's means and methods
Replace the designer or structural engineer
Provide planning permission
Confirm compliance with every piece of legislation affecting a project
Take responsibility for work carried out outside the Building Control scope
Building Control inspections are undertaken at appropriate stages and are based upon what can reasonably be assessed at the time of inspection.
Consequently, Building Control approval or certification should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every aspect of construction is free from defects or that every legal requirement applying to the project has been satisfied.
Competent Person Schemes and specialist installations
Certain types of work may be undertaken by installers registered with an appropriate Competent Person Scheme.
Examples can include certain electrical, gas, heating, windows and other specialist installations, depending on the scope of the relevant scheme.
Where work is properly self-certified through an applicable Competent Person Scheme, it may fall outside the scope of the Building Control service being provided by the RBCA.
Clients should ensure that they receive the appropriate certification from the registered installer and retain it with their building records.
At Meadows & Turner, we will make clear where particular works fall outside the scope of our Building Control service.
Keeping your project compliant
The most effective way to reduce Building Regulations issues is to consider compliance from the beginning of the project rather than treating Building Control as a final check.
We recommend:
Engage Building Control early
Early involvement allows potential issues to be identified before construction begins and can help ensure that the appropriate information is available.
Use competent designers and contractors
The quality of the design and construction has a significant influence on the ability of a project to achieve Building Regulations compliance.
Provide adequate information
Drawings, specifications, calculations, certificates and other technical information should be prepared and submitted where required to demonstrate compliance.
Keep records
Retaining drawings, specifications, inspection records, certificates, correspondence and completion documentation provides a useful record of the project.
Communicate changes
Changes made during construction can affect Building Regulations compliance. Significant changes should be discussed with the relevant design and Building Control teams before the work is undertaken wherever possible.
Building Regulations continue to evolve
Building Regulations and associated guidance are periodically amended, meaning that the requirements applicable to a project can depend upon when the work is undertaken and the transitional arrangements that apply.
For example, amendments to the Building Regulations in 2026 introduced updated statutory guidance relating to energy efficiency and ventilation, including new editions of Approved Documents L and F.
This is one reason why it is important to establish the applicable requirements at the beginning of a project rather than relying on historic information or previous projects as a direct comparison.
How Meadows & Turner can help
At Meadows & Turner Building Compliance Ltd, we provide independent Building Control services for domestic and commercial projects.
Our role is to work with clients, designers and contractors throughout the Building Control process, providing professional assessment and inspection services within our registered scope.
Whether you are planning an extension, conversion, refurbishment, new build or commercial development, we can help you understand the Building Control requirements applicable to your project and guide you through the process.
Our approach is focused on providing:
Clear and practical advice
Independent Building Control assessment
Professional plan assessment
Appropriate site inspections
Clear communication throughout the project
A straightforward and professional service
Start your project with Building Control in mind
Building Regulations compliance should be considered from the earliest stages of a construction project.
By engaging a Registered Building Control Approver early, you can establish the Building Control requirements, identify potential issues and help ensure that the necessary information is available as your project progresses.
Meadows & Turner Building Compliance Ltd
Professional Building Control services for domestic and commercial projects.
Please note: This article provides general information about Building Control and Building Regulations in England. The requirements applicable to an individual project will depend upon its specific circumstances, and other statutory requirements may also apply.