Services / Building control applications
Building control applications
We arrange building control for your project, submit the application with the drawings and calculations, answer the inspector's comments and help your builder through the inspections to the completion certificate.
- FreeInitial consultationA conversation about your project, and a first view of what's possible, before any fee is agreed.
- FixedFee for each stageEvery stage is priced in writing before it starts. No hourly billing.
- 3DSee the design firstYour design is shown in 3D before it's submitted, while changes are still easy.
- FreeResubmissionIf planning is refused, we revise and resubmit at no extra design fee. Conditions
What we do
Choosing building control
The council's building control or a registered building control approver, whichever suits the project.
Application
Full plans or building notice submitted with the drawings, specification and structural calculations.
Comments
Responses to building control's comments, with revised drawings where needed.
Inspections
Guidance for your builder on the inspections building control will make, and when to book them.
Completion
The information needed for the completion certificate, such as electrical and gas certificates.
Building control
What's included
Our fee is priced in your proposal; building control's own fee is paid separately and shown in your quote.
- Building control body chosen and appointed
- Application submitted with all documents
- Comments answered
- Help through inspections to the completion certificate
Before you start
What we need, and what sits outside our fee
- From you: the property address, a few photos, and any existing drawings, planning approvals or surveys you have. We arrange the measured survey with you.
- Not in our fee: council planning and building control fees, and specialist reports a council asks for, such as a tree survey or flood risk assessment, unless your fee proposal lists them.
- Your fee proposal sets out exactly what is included for your project before any work starts.
Timescales
How long it takes
We give you a timetable for our work in your fee proposal. Council and other statutory timings start once an application is validated.
- Full plans decision
- 5 weeks, or up to 2 months if you agree
- Building notice
- Work can start 2 days after the notice is given
Common questions
Who carries out the inspections?
The building control body you appoint: either the council or a registered building control approver. We prepare and submit the application, deal with their comments and help your builder through the inspections.
Why does the completion certificate matter?
It is the evidence that the work met the building regulations. A buyer's solicitor will ask for it when you sell.
Other services
- Free planning check
- House extensions
- Loft conversions
- Upward extensions
- Renovations and internal alterations
- Basement conversions
- Planning permission
- Lawful development certificates
- Pre-application advice
- Building regulations drawings
- Structural calculations
- Structural surveys and letters of comfort
- Flat conversions
- Lease plans and licence to alter
- Change of use
- New builds
- Interior design
- 3D visualisation
- Energy and retrofit
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
- Accessible home adaptations
- Commercial fit-outs and shopfronts
- Design consultations
- Party wall surveys
- Build over agreements and drainage
- Planning reports and statements
- Amendments, conditions and regularisation
- Planning appeals
- Conservation areas and listed buildings
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- HMO planning and licensing
- Feasibility and site checks
- Measured surveys
- Building surveys
- Drawing reviews and second opinions
- Location and block plans
- Tender and construction support
- Principal designer (CDM and building regulations)
- Cost management
- Project management
- Contract administration
- Design and build
- Turnkey projects
- Landscape design
Where we work
Building control applications across London
Local planning points for the boroughs closest to our Cricklewood studio: Ealing, Harrow, Brent, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Haringey, Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea. See all 33 boroughs.