Building regulations

News item - Increase in fees and charges 1st April 2023

Please be aware that there are revised fees and charges as from 1st April 2023 on all our Building Regulation applications.

Building regulations make sure that new building work is safe, healthy, accessible and energy efficient. They are separate from planning permission.

Building regulations are legal requirements laid down by the government. The aim of the regulations is to achieve adequate standards for the construction of buildings. This includes health and safety, energy conservation and access and facilities for disabled people. The regulations apply to most building work, with a few exemptions.

For most building projects, you'll need building regulations approval.

There are four online guides available to help you understand how building regulations apply to work you may do.  There is a guide on telling you about the building regulations, a guide on planning a home improvement project, a guide on before work begins: planning your home improvement project and a guide on specific projects

You can now submit your building regulation application form and supporting documents online using the Planning Portal.  Here are our current fees and charges which are inclusive of Value Added tax.  Please contact building_consultancy@sandwell.gov.uk for our bank details to pay for your application.

Submit your building regulations online

You can also apply by filling out an electronic application form and emailing it, along with any attachments to building_consultancy@sandwell.gov.uk where we will process your application and contact you for payment if necessary.

Alternatively, you can download application forms relating to building regulations.

You can view the relevant privacy notice in relation to how we will use your personal information which is held against your application.

We aim to enforce the Building Regulations through our daily interventions on site and in our dealings with clients, however sometimes further more formal action is required.  You can view our Building Control Enforcement Policy which explains this process in more detail.

Fees and charges

In most cases you will have to pay a fee when you apply for building regulation approval. Here is a list of our fees and charges which are inclusive of Value Added Tax.  Please note that there was an increase in our fees and charges on 1 April 2023.  Please contact building_consultancy@sandwell.gov.uk for ways to pay.

Our fee table includes the Electrical Installations category for Certification of electrical works by non registered but suitably qualified competent persons.

Please be aware that a copy of the Electricians City & Guilds Electrical Installation Part 1 (minimum), City & Guilds 2391 Inspection & Testing and BS7671 17th Edition qualifications must be submitted with the application.

A copy of the Electrical Installation Certificate and Schedule of Test Results must be submitted on completion of the application. Alternatively you can use an electrician who is registered with the Electrical Competent Person Scheme. Get general advice, guidance and information on electrical safety.

Building regulations should not be confused with planning permission and will often apply to work which does not require planning consent.

Find out more about the difference between building regulations and planning permission.

Further Assistance

If you need any further assistance you can contact us on our generic email building_consultancy@sandwell.gov.uk which is monitored daily. 

Alternatively, you can contact our Planning and Building Control Customer Service Advisors on:-

0121 569 4054 between 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday - Due to the high demand in calls we ask you to please bear with us as we are extremely busy at the moment.