Building control for new shower room
Discussion
I thought this needed buildingcontrol or a plumber registered under the competent persons scheme, but I've had 2 plumbers over for quotes andthey say that tey've never had anyone bother with getting building conrol involved. I need to sell the flat next Easter, so will probably have to declare this new shower room on the changes made list when selling and am worried a surveyor may ask for the building control paperwork.
Do I need building control approval and if I don't get it, where may I get caught out selling?
Do I need building control approval and if I don't get it, where may I get caught out selling?
Sarah_W said:
I thought this needed buildingcontrol or a plumber registered under the competent persons scheme, but I've had 2 plumbers over for quotes andthey say that tey've never had anyone bother with getting building conrol involved. I need to sell the flat next Easter, so will probably have to declare this new shower room on the changes made list when selling and am worried a surveyor may ask for the building control paperwork.
Do I need building control approval and if I don't get it, where may I get caught out selling?
Costs you nothing to contact your local Building Control Office (BCO), so I would ask them direct.Do I need building control approval and if I don't get it, where may I get caught out selling?
Mike
(someone who got absolutely stitched over BC a while back)
BC are interested in "all building work".. It's their choice and no one else's!
I would suggest that if it's a new shower room, i.e. the plumbing is new (both supply and removal) and the electric, that it will definitely need Building Control approval. What about adequate ventilation, to current regs? Does the room concerned have any windows in it? Lighting should conform to the area it's in.. etc.. Plus they will also (probably) want to see that a shower tray or similar is adequately supported below, i.e. how big are the joists there at the moment and how far do they span? Admittedly less important than a bath, but could be important and is easily resolved by pairing joists below.. and will ensure that the job is a far better quality one.
As has been mentioned give your local BC team a call, they are (usually) quite friendly and helpful.
I would guess that when you come to sell your property the electrical work will have to be certified. In addition the work should have been signed off, otherwise the "other side's" solicitor may well quiz you about the legality of the installation.. They will want to know that it's been done properly and the only way of doing that, without ripping it apart is to have a specification drawn up and then a builder who has followed it and a building control inspector has inspected it.
Informal help can be offered for free.. but a BC Submission would cost money, although shouldn't be too much, if it's all internal work..
ETA : Another potential issue is that if there is a problem with the electrics (i.e. a fire!) or plumbing (i.e. a leak!) your insurance will not pay out on it, if it isn't approved by B.C. and signed off. Ask the builders if they'd be happy to cover anything that goes wrong with it, in writing.. Sorry to be a scare mongerer, but if the two builders you spoke to are willing to do the work without BC approval and inspections.. then I'd be concerned about their working practices.
I would suggest that if it's a new shower room, i.e. the plumbing is new (both supply and removal) and the electric, that it will definitely need Building Control approval. What about adequate ventilation, to current regs? Does the room concerned have any windows in it? Lighting should conform to the area it's in.. etc.. Plus they will also (probably) want to see that a shower tray or similar is adequately supported below, i.e. how big are the joists there at the moment and how far do they span? Admittedly less important than a bath, but could be important and is easily resolved by pairing joists below.. and will ensure that the job is a far better quality one.
As has been mentioned give your local BC team a call, they are (usually) quite friendly and helpful.
I would guess that when you come to sell your property the electrical work will have to be certified. In addition the work should have been signed off, otherwise the "other side's" solicitor may well quiz you about the legality of the installation.. They will want to know that it's been done properly and the only way of doing that, without ripping it apart is to have a specification drawn up and then a builder who has followed it and a building control inspector has inspected it.
Informal help can be offered for free.. but a BC Submission would cost money, although shouldn't be too much, if it's all internal work..
ETA : Another potential issue is that if there is a problem with the electrics (i.e. a fire!) or plumbing (i.e. a leak!) your insurance will not pay out on it, if it isn't approved by B.C. and signed off. Ask the builders if they'd be happy to cover anything that goes wrong with it, in writing.. Sorry to be a scare mongerer, but if the two builders you spoke to are willing to do the work without BC approval and inspections.. then I'd be concerned about their working practices.
Edited by eps on Thursday 8th October 12:11
Hi
Yes you certainly do need BC approval for these works. As mentioned above you will need a electrical certificate and BC signoffs if you are planning on moving.
Around our way it would only cost you an extra £145 for the BC officer to come round as often as required and issue the relevant paperworks. His main areas of concern would be
Electrics - Is the correct ligh fittings used in relation to the zones in the room. Adequate RCD protection of circuits etc.
Drainage Presumable new Soil and vent pipe are being installed so these need to be tested for fall etc
Ventilation. Extraction will almost certainly be required.
As another poster has said above If the contractors who have been out, dont want to get BC involved be very careful as their works may not be up to current regulations. If we carry out work that requires BC approval we put it in our costings and if a customer doesnt want them involved we walk away from the job as its hard to get a good reputation but very easy to get a bad one
Cheers
Nigel
Yes you certainly do need BC approval for these works. As mentioned above you will need a electrical certificate and BC signoffs if you are planning on moving.
Around our way it would only cost you an extra £145 for the BC officer to come round as often as required and issue the relevant paperworks. His main areas of concern would be
Electrics - Is the correct ligh fittings used in relation to the zones in the room. Adequate RCD protection of circuits etc.
Drainage Presumable new Soil and vent pipe are being installed so these need to be tested for fall etc
Ventilation. Extraction will almost certainly be required.
As another poster has said above If the contractors who have been out, dont want to get BC involved be very careful as their works may not be up to current regulations. If we carry out work that requires BC approval we put it in our costings and if a customer doesnt want them involved we walk away from the job as its hard to get a good reputation but very easy to get a bad one
Cheers
Nigel
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