Building Control Fees
Fee structure:
Ashford Building Regulation fees are non-profit making. They are only set to recover the cost of the service being provided.
A two tier structure is therefore in place; standard charges for domestic projects and unique quotes for projects that have a complex design or where a project contains more than one element being built. An example project that would require a unique quote would be two extensions or an extension and a loft conversion.
Standard charges: Domestic Projects
| Category | Description | Full Plans - Plans Charge | Full Plans - Inspection | Full Plans Total: | Building Notice & Total Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single dwelling house under 300m² (excludes flats) | £403 | £633 | £1036 | £1036 |
| 2 | Two dwellings each under 300m² | £460 | £1024 | £1484 | £1484 |
| 3 | Single storey garage up to 60m² | £224 | £293 | £517 | £517 |
| 4 | Detached garage up to 60m² with room over | £224 | £460 |
£684 |
£684 |
| 5 | Single storey extension under 100m² | £224 | £569 | £793 | £793 |
| 6 | Two storey extension under 100m² | £224 | £719 | £943 | £943 |
| 7 | First floor extension under 40m² | £224 | £408 | £632 | £632 |
| 8 | Loft conversion under 60m² | £224 | £581 |
£805 |
£805 |
| 9 | Garage conversion | £224 | £299 | £523 | £523 |
| 10 | Installation of up to two beams of lintels | £334 | N/A | £334 | |
| 11 | Installation of up to 10 replacement windows | £265 | N/A | £265 | |
| 12 | Installation of solar panels | £265 | N/A | £265 | |
| 13 | Installation of heat producing appliance | £265 | N/A | £265 | |
| 14 | Part P electrical work | £311 | N/A | £311 | |
| 15 | Alterations up to £5,000* | £311 | N/A | £311 | |
| 16 | Mezzanine floor up to 500m² | £437 | £529 | £966 | N/A |
| 17 | Standard shop fit up to 500m² | £414 | £472 | £886 | N/A |
*For alterations over £5,000, please contact us for an individual quote.
Unique Quotes: Commercial and non-domestic projects.
We will need to provide a quote for most commercial/non-domestic projects and projects not covered in our standard charges. We will agree a fee with you based on the anticipated work involved by our team. In order to ensure this is as accurate as possible, it is likely we will need to see the design.
An individually determined charge will be required for applications involving more complex work. This includes work to multiple extensions, or a combination of work categories, or for work not listed in our standard charges.
If this is an option you would like to follow please email the Building Control team and someone will be in touch.
What do the charges cover?
Plans charge
This is payable when the application is deposited:
- If making a full plans application. This covers the technical checking of plans, calculations, certificates and specifications and the issuing of a formal decision notice
- If making a building notice application. This covers the checking of any plans, calculations or details submitted or additional time on site or in the office ensuring compliance without full plans details
Inspection charge
An inspection charge is payable on commencement of works:
- It is applicable to full plans and building notice applications. This covers on site spot checks of various stages of construction through to satisfactory completion including all office based work, travel, checking certificates and issue of completion certificate
- If multiple works are constructed at the same time which reduces the number of inspections, then the inspection charge may be reduced accordingly
Your Surveyor will determine the stages of construction they wish to see and will need notification from you the day before so a visit can be planned. Ordinarily these will include:
- Commencement and foundation excavations prior to concreting
- Oversite preparation prior to concreting and damp proof course
- Foul or surface water drainage before covering and tested
- Structural steel or timber
- Compliance inspections
- Completion
Additional Information
Standard charges for domestic electrical installations
There will be an additional charge where domestic electrical installations are not to be certified by an installer registered with one of the government's competent persons schemes. This fee will be in relation to installing each unit. This allows us to select a contractor who will establish if the work meets the requirements of approved documents part P.
Regularisation application fees
Where building work has been carried out without building regulation consent, a regularisation application may be submitted seeking retrospective permission.
A fee at 150% of the NET building notice fee shall be payable in full with the application. This extra cost covers the time in establishing if completed work complies, advising on opening up of the structure and the additional risk of certifying a structure where elements cannot be fully inspected.
Re-submission of a previous applications
When you re-submit a previously refused application there will be no additional plan fee to pay if it is essentially for the same work and no additional checking is required.
Amendments to plans or on site
Minor changes to an already approved application can usually be accommodated. Our priority is ensuring finished work on site complies with the building regulations not on burdening customers with reapplications. There may be an additional fee to cover the extra work needed if the amendment leads to us spending more time checking details or more time on site.
Work exempt from fees
A free may not be required if the work is being carried out solely for the benefit of a disabled person. Examples would be if the work provides medical facilities or improves access to the building. Please contact the fees help line for further guidance.
Detailed information of what is and what is not covered in our service is contained in the terms and conditions.
Party Wall Act
We are not involved in the Party Wall Act. This will be carried out by surveyors appointed by the person carrying out the work, or by each owner affected. Further information about the Party Wall Act can be found on the UK Government website.
We do not get involved in boundary disputes. Encroachment of a building, including drainage, gutters, foundations etc. is not a building regulation matter and is not grounds for enforcement or rejection on plan or on site.
