Submit a building notice for small-scale building work
Apply by giving building notice if you're carrying out domestic work or small-scale projects.
What you can submit a notice for
Submit a notice for construction work such as:
- removing 1 or 2 internal load-bearing walls
- a small single storey domestic extension
- a new boiler, or other heating appliances
- a new chimney or flue
- a new detached garage, carport and outbuildings where not exempt from the building regulations
- new or replacement windows, rooflights and external doors
- replacing a roof covering a new bathroom, shower or toilet
- new drainage or connection to sewer
- underpinning cavity wall insulation
Find out more about building notice applications (planning portal)
Fees
Fees are based on the work you're carrying out. View our full list of building control fees.
Apply online
You can submit a building notice online.
You can also apply:
- by completing a building regulations application form [Word, 69KB]
- by completing the application on the Planning Portal
Apply by phone
Contact building control team in your local area:
- Aylesbury Vale: 01296 585 460
- Chiltern and South Bucks: 01895 837 296
- Wycombe: 01494 421 403
Starting the work
You can start work 48 hours after we've received your application and payment.
Before you start any work, you should notify building control and book a site inspection.
If you're considering any building work you should choose a builder very carefully and check any builder out before employing their services.
You should:
- consider employing a professional to advise you. Inspectors and architects can help appoint builders and will monitor their work on your behalf
- always obtain at least 3 written quotations and check them to ensure that all the work is quoted for
- don’t automatically go for the cheapest quote especially if it is a lot cheaper than the others. Ask yourself why it is cheaper
- try to visit 3 or 4 builder’s recently completed jobs. If possible speak to the owners about the builder’s work and ask about reliability, additional costs, quality and time taken
- be wary of a builder who wants money before starting the work, although stage payments as work progresses are normal
- builders often advertise that they are members of a trade association. You should check the validity of any claim and association quoted
- if the builder is not local and is prepared to travel a long distance to undertake the work, ask yourself why he can’t get work in his own area
- good builders will be happy to answer your questions and queries, as they have nothing to hide
- do not make final payment until Building Control has issued a final certificate
We cannot recommend builders to you, but you may find these websites useful:
If you have started or finished work without proper approval
If the work has already been started or completed, you'll need to apply for a regularisation certificate.
Help with your submission
If you need advice, you can contact building control.