Charges & Fees

Introduction

Charges (or fees) are payable for work undertaken by the Building Control Service in relation to Building Regulation applications. Those charges are statutory and are payable in two stages;

1. The Plan Charge is payable when an application for Building Regulation approval is made to the Building Control Office.

2. The Inspection Charge fee is payable when the work starts on site. All subsequent inspections are undertaken free of any further charge.

The scheme has been in force since 1980 and level of fees are currently set by individual local authorities in order that the service they provide operates on a break even principal - To view the current fees please use the links in the righthand column.

If the work is solely for the benefit of a disabled person then you may be exempt from the payment of fees.  Such work is usually of a minor nature so please contact Building Control to discuss.

At present the charge for the service is the same for the two forms of submission, but the method of payment depends upon whether a Full Plans or Building Notice is made.

General Notes common to all Schedules

The Plan Charge is to be that shown in the PLAN column dependant on the number of dwellings  shown on the deposited plan.

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  The Inspection Charge is to be that shown in the INSPECTION column dependant on the number of dwellings shown on the deposited plan.
• The Building Notice Charge is to be that shown in the BUILDING NOTICE column dependant on the number of dwellings stated on the notice and is to be equal to the sum of the Plan and Inspection charges for the equivalent number of dwellings.
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  The Reversion Charge is to be equal to that shown in the BUILDING NOTICE column dependant on the number of dwellings subject to the reversion.
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  The Regularisation Charge is to be that shown in the REGULARISATION column dependant on the number of dwellings subject to the regularisation application and is to be equal to 120% of the building notice charge for the equivalent number of dwellings.

VAT: All charges in this scheme are subject to the current level of value added tax with the exception of the regularisation charge.

Loft Conversions: to form one or more rooms in the roof space are charged under Schedule 3 but are subject to a minimum Building Notice charge of £399 + Vat (Plan charge - £99.75 + VAT / Inspection charge - £299.25 + VAT)

Large Extensions: in excess of 60m² in floor area are charged under Schedule 3 but are subject to a minimum Building Notice charge of £633 + Vat (Plan charge - £158.25 + VAT / Inspection charge £474.75 + VAT)

Schedule 1 - Charges for Small Domestic Buildings & Connected Work

Small Domestic Building means a building which is used or intended to be used wholly as one or more dwellings and:

• None of which has a floor area exceeding 300m², excluding any garage or carport area
• Does not exceed three storeys, each basement level being counted as one storey
• Can incorporate an integral garage or an attached garage or carport that shares at least one wall with the building.

NB: Substantial demolition and rebuilding may also be deemed to be a new dwelling.

For developments with over twenty dwellings please contact us to discuss the fees.

Schedule 2 - Charges for Certain Small Buildings, Domestic Extentions & Alterations

Floor Area: Charges are dependant on the floor areas of the proposed building work:

• The floor area of a dwelling, extension, garage or carport is the total floor area measured to the finished internal faces of the walls enclosing the area, or if at any point there is not enclosing wall, by reference to the outermost edge of the floor
• The total floor area of any dwelling or extension is the sum of the area of all storeys in that dwelling or extension
• The areas of more than one extension, for any one dwelling, on an application will be aggregated to assess the floor area.

Extension is to be taken as an extension not exceeding three storeys, each basement level counting as one storey.

Dwelling is to be taken as including a building consisting of a garage and/or carport used with a house, flats or maisonettes.

NB: Charges relating to applicable cavity wall insulation, unvented hot water systems, the formation of one or more rooms in the roof space and larger extensions, including access, are now assessed under Schedule 3.

Schedule 3 - Charges for any other Building Work Not Covered by Schedules 1 &  2

The Plan Charge is to be that shown in the PLAN column in relation to the estimated cost of the building work shown on the deposited plan. Where the estimated cost of the work is £5,000 or less the charge will equal the building notice charge.  The charge for work costing more than £5,000 will be 25% of the building notice charge.

The Inspection Charge is to be that shown in the INSPECTION column in relation to the estimated cost of the building work shown on the deposited plan.  Where the estimated cost of the work is £5,000 or less no inspection charge will be made, even though inspections will be carried out.  The charge for work costing more than £5,000 will be 75% of the building notice charge.

Estimated Cost: means an estimate accepted by the local authority, of a reasonable amount that would be charged for carrying out that building work by a person in business to carry out such work and:

• VAT and professional fees paid to architects or surveyors should be excluded
• The estimate must be given in writing when the plans are deposited or building notice given
• Where reversion charges are involved be based on a current estimate, not an estimate of the original scheme
• Therefore DIY, materials only or reduced labour costs are not acceptable.

NB: All estimates will be validated using figures based on recognised costing schedules.

Inspection charges only will be charged for the following work:

• The installation of cavity fill insulation not certified to an approved standard or not installed by an approved installer or is not part of a larger building work project
• The installation of an unvented hot water system where it is not part of a larger building work project.

For works costing over £20,000 please contact us to discuss the fees.