Building notice

[bluebaron]

I’m removing doorway and installing a window in its place

Window is slightly wider so will install a new lintel.

Building control want £370 just to review my application.

3 builders have said don’t bother just do it but 1 said I need to do it.

Thoughts?

I’m worried they will come back demanding a load of expensive surveys etc.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

You should have Building Control Approval as the works include structural work and thermal work, so the lintel would need to be signed off as would the thermal element of the wall and the window. The three builders are either lying and don't want the hassle or are misinformed. Have you rung up your local BC to see what the fee would be as that seems a bit excessive, they may be able to apply a bit of leeway on their standard charges considering the extents of the work.

 

[Old Salt]

If you can do it safely Crack on and do it but don't let the neighbours know, one of them will drop you in it.

 

[bluebaron]

Thanks I’ve emailed them back asking why so much to widen a window by 100mm.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I wouldn't waste time emailing, you'll merely be answered by a Building Control admin bod whose 'computer says No', phone them up and ask to speak with a surveyor, try your luck. Or, if your local authority won't play ball (dare I find myself saying this), try a private inspector who is prepared to give you a decent price.

 

[^woody^]

If you know what you are doing, can do the work to the required standard and know it will be safe and sound, then there is an argument to "just do it".

The problem is when builders who you don't actually know or can't trust tell you to ignore building regs, that should immediately ring alarm bells.

The checking of an opening alteration is the same amount of work whether it's 10mm, 100mm or whatever mm. In this case, size really does not matter.

The fee is to check the proposal, and to visit site and to certify the work. Compare market rates for a similar professional doing similar work and £370 can be quite cheap.

They won't come back 'demanding expensive surveys etc'. They only check your work. It's up to you or your builders to do it right in the first place.

Perhaps you may be better off scrutinising the builder's quotes for the validity of £370 included here or there, rather than questioning having to pay that to certify the work?

 

[bluebaron]

Thanks Woody,

The guy doing it owns a reputable local window installers. He said I would need building control,

Strangely they quoted him £268 ++(£321.60). He said normally for him to put it in he would charge an extra £100 admin fee. So I said I would do it.

Seems like they just take a guess at a fee to charge. Although I can’t imagine a local site visit would be more than £100 for a an hours work. But then these days who knows.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Your local Building Control will have set fees for different types of applications, it'll be on their website no doubt, but as your job does not really fit into one single type (apart from the 'works up to the value of ....' one) hence the suggestion that some negotiation of their fees may be possible ....

 

[bluebaron]

Reply form building control:

“We have based our fee on the lowest possible cost of works (0 - £5000) which attracts the fee of £369.00 under a building notice therefore there is unfortunately no reduction in fees available.”

Go figure.

 

[^woody^]

Several Sussex councils seem to charge £268+VAT

Fees are statutory and if the work fits into a category, that's the charge, no negotiation.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I've negotiated with them in the past so it is possible. But certainly not with the bod dealing with the admin emails.

 

[bluebaron]

Well the reply I got was from a surveyor.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Oh well you're screwed then, maybe mine just like me!

 

[Deluks]

London Borough of Sutton charge £561 for building works up to £5k

Which is nuts compared to Sussex, considering how big Sussex is and how much driving they might have to do to get to the property.