Check if work needs building regulations approval

Use our online checker to find out if your work needs building regulations approval.

If your project does need approval, the checker will tell you if you should:

• make a full plans building regulations application
• submit a building notice
• apply for a regularisation certificate

To complete the check you must know the:

• property postcode
• floor area of the new structure (metres squared)

You may also need to give further information about the work.

You can view more guidance on the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) website. It has guidance from many local authorities about:

• how to plan home improvement projects
• help understanding building regulations
• types of changes you need approval for
• how to get safe changes that are compliant

You may not need approval to carry out minor building work.

This includes work on:

• conservatories
• porches
• carports or covered yards
• small detached buildings that don't have a space to sleep or extensions to buildings similar to this

View our guidance on extensions for advice on:

• finding experts
• writing a design brief
• types of building regulation applications that may be needed