Building control approver
Most building work, from extensions and loft conversions to new homes and conversions, has to be checked against the Building Regulations. In England and Wales you can usually choose who does that: your council’s building control team, or a private registered building control approver. Either way, the check needs to be arranged before work starts.
This guide covers the rules in England. See Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
0 building control approvers listed across the UK
Featured (paid) listings first, then A–Z · How we check listings
Your two options in England and Wales
Council building control
Your local authority’s team. You apply to the council, it checks plans and inspects the work, and it issues a completion certificate at the end.
Registered building control approver
A private company registered to do the same job, often called an RBCA. These used to be called approved inspectors. They notify the council that they are handling your project and issue a final certificate at the end.
How the process usually works
- Before work starts: plans go in for checking, or with an approver, the approver notifies the council that it is handling the work
- During the build: inspections at key stages, such as foundations, drainage, structure and insulation, before work is covered up
- Reports and certificates: building control may ask for evidence such as structural calculations, SAP calculations, an air test or electrical certificates
- At the end: a completion or final certificate, which you will need when you sell the property
Choosing between them
Both must check the work against the same Building Regulations. People choose an approver for reasons such as fixed fees, one contact across several councils, or availability, and choose the council for reasons such as local knowledge. Ask each for a fee quote that says how many inspections are included and what happens if extra visits are needed. Some larger or higher-risk buildings follow different rules, so check before you choose.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
This guide describes the rules in England. Building regulations are devolved, so here is how building control approver works in the rest of the UK.
You can choose council building control or a registered building control approver in Wales too. Wales has its own registration and Building Regulations, so check that an approver is registered to work in Wales.
Scotland works differently. You need a building warrant from the council before work starts, and you submit a completion certificate at the end. There are no private approvers for building warrants.
In Northern Ireland, building control is done by your council. There are no private approvers.
Common questions
Do I need building control for my extension?
Most extensions, loft conversions and structural alterations do. Some small works are exempt. Your council or an approver can tell you whether your project is covered.
Is building control the same as planning permission?
No. Planning permission is about whether a development is acceptable in principle and how it looks. Building control checks it is built safely and meets the Building Regulations. Many projects need both, and some need only one.
What is a registered building control approver?
A private company registered to carry out building control work in England or Wales. They were previously known as approved inspectors.
Can I switch from the council to an approver part way through?
It can be possible but it is not always straightforward. It is much easier to decide before work starts, so take advice first.
What happens if I do not get a completion certificate?
You may struggle to sell or remortgage, because buyers’ solicitors normally ask for it. If work was done without building control, the council may be able to issue a regularisation certificate for work carried out after a certain date. Ask the council about this.
How much does building control cost?
Councils and approvers set their own fees, based on the type and size of the work. Compare quotes and check what each one includes.
New to the jargon? See our glossary of terms, from air permeability to TrustMark.