Industry experts share their key insights on mitigating Building Control risks
In her 2018 Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, Dame Judith Hackitt described the approved documents, which underpin statutory building control guidance, as “complex, ambiguous, and not user-friendly.” More recently, Phase Two of the Grenfell Inquiry report, published last year, revealed that at the time of the tragedy, building regulations —particularly Approved Document B — were prone to misinterpretation, often misleading those working from them.
In response to this report, the Deputy Prime Minister tasked the Building Safety Regulator with conducting a ‘fundamental review’ of building regulations guidance.
With the review panel set to convene early this year, significant updates to building control regulations are anticipated in 2025. In preparation for these changes, TerraQuest has collaborated with industry experts to identify key challenges within the current application process, highlighting common mistakes and providing actionable tips.
“When working on a construction project with a client, it typically falls to the professional to secure the necessary approvals. By ensuring the correct information is submitted at the outset, businesses can avoid unnecessary setbacks, streamline the process for applicants, reduce administrative burdens and build trust with their clients.
“To maximise compliance, clients should be guided by knowledgeable professionals throughout the process. Where possible, businesses should educate clients on best practices for building safety, helping to ensure that standards are consistently met so that delays avoided.
“Mitigating these risks not only allows businesses to demonstrate their expertise and foster client confidence but, more importantly, helps ensure that safety risks do not go unnoticed.”
1. Don’t let clients handle their applications themselves.
This one is straightforward: some things are best left to the professionals – including building control. Contractors, architects, electricians, and plumbers often apply for or self-certify thousands of projects over their careers, meaning they understand the process inside out. They are also best equipped to navigate ‘complex’ regulations that require detailed design and documentation to support the submission.
It is also essential to prioritise professional competence by regularly investing in continuing professional development. If there are any questions about competency in certain areas, take accountability and carefully assess whether you should take on the work.
2. Make sure you’re submitting information for building control and not planning permission.
For professional applicants, this may also sound like a no-brainer – but again, if your client is involved in gathering documentation to support the submission process, things can quickly become complicated.
Of course, there is a small amount of overlap between the documentation required for building control and planning permission, but your client may not be aware that they are two separate and independent aspects of the construction process.
To share up to date information with your client around building control regulations and the requirements for their project, you can point them to the guidance on the Planning Portal.
It’s always best to double-check what the local authority requires for different types of approval. Planning Portal’s Building Control Portal, which launched last year, makes this process seamless, with its interactive digital application service allowing local authorities to communicate directly with applicants to request more information when needed and confirm appropriate fees - saving time and money and increasing efficiency.
3. Remember to submit a completion notice.
Upon completing a project, it is easy to overlook submitting the completion notice. However, applicants must provide this signed documentation endorsed by both the professional and the client to the local authority within five days, confirming that the work complies with building regulations.
This notice is important, as it can be requested by insurers and mortgage companies. As well as this, if the house is sold in the future, it will be needed by solicitors for the proposed buyer’s pack. If this is not done, it can delay a sale from happening until it is sorted.
4. Take advantage of integrated digital submission tools
Local authorities across the UK are increasingly adopting digital solutions like Planning Portal’s Building Control Portal , which integrates seamlessly with planning applications for a more streamlined submission process. Designed with professional applicants in mind, the portal enables users to submit applications and all supporting documentation while nominating clients to handle payment — streamlining administrative tasks and freeing up time for more critical work.
The system also empowers authorities to digitally analyse applications, review documentation, and provide applicants with fee estimates before submission. This allows professional applicants to ensure accuracy and transparency for their clients upfront, reducing delays and unnecessary back-and-forth.
For professionals managing both planning and building control applications, the portal's integration with the national planning application service offers a single sign-on solution. This user-friendly interface allows applicants to effortlessly manage their applications, from draft to submission, toggling between application types and transferring key project details, saving time and minimising the risk of errors across submissions.
Change is coming for building control applications. In the meantime, it is imperative to get the process right the first-time round to avoid unnecessary delays and disappointed clients.
For more information about TerraQuest’s Building Control site, please visit: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications
