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Do I need building regulations approval to add underfloor heating?
Whether you need building regulations approval depends on the type of underfloor heating (UFH) you are installing.
Electric UFH must comply with Part P for electrical safety.This work can be done by a member of the competent persons scheme who can self-certify the work.
Wet UFH must comply with Part L which focuses on the conservation of fuel and power. This will likely require building control approval.
Common Questions
The conversion of a garage, or part of a garage, into habitable space, will normally require approval under the building regulations.
As part of the garage conversion, it is likely that the original garage door will be in-filled with a new wall and possibly a window or door, and a new foundation may be needed for the new wall.
As well as the foundation, you also need to consider:
- Floor
- Walls
- Ventilation
Read more about the building regulations for garage conversions.
A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure in the UK that has been considered as of national importance in terms of architectural or historic interest and included on a register called the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
Buildings are listed to help protect the physical evidence of our past, including buildings, which are valued and protected as a central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of identity. Historic buildings also add to the quality of our lives, being an important aspect of the character and appearance of our towns, villages, and countryside.
There are three listing grades:
- Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest
- Grade II* - Particularly important and more than special interest
- Grade II - Buildings of special interest, warranting every effort being made to preserve them (this is the most common)
If you live in a listed building it means you cannot demolish or alter the building in a way that changes its character without Listed Building Consent.
Many homeowners choose to replace their traditional polycarbonate conservatory roof with a solid tiled roof for better thermal efficiency.
If the change significantly alters the structure or appearance of the roof, then planning permission may be required. Most alterations to roofs are considered permitted development, providing they meet the limits set out in legislation.
A new roof must comply with building regulations to ensure it is structurally safe, energy efficient and properly ventilated.
Adding a storey on top of an extension will always require an application for planning permission.
If you want to add a storey on top of your house under permitted development rights, it must be on the principal part of the house.
If you want to add an additional storey on top of your house, it can be permitted development. It is only permitted development if it follows certain rules:
The current house
- Is not a building containing one or more flats, or a flat contained within such a building
- Was constructed between 1 July 1948 and 28 October 2018
- Has not already had additional storeys added to it
- Is not on Article 2(3) land or a site of special scientific interest
- Was not changed to be used as a house (from a previous non-residential use) under permitted development rights.
How many storeys can you add?
- If the house is one storey then one storey can be added
- If the house is two or more storeys then two storeys can be added
Where can the storeys be added?
- The additional storeys must be added to the principal part of the house. The principal part of the house is the main part of the house excluding any front, side or rear extension of a lower height (regardless of these being part of the original house or subsequent additions).
- Engineering operations must only include works within the existing curtilage of the house to strengthen existing walls and foundations
How high can it be?
- The house cannot exceed 18 metres in total height
- Each storey cannot add more than 3.5 metres to the total height
- If the house is not detached the total height cannot be more than 3.5 metres higher than the next highest building that the house is attached to, adjoins, or is in the same row as.
- The additional storeys must have an internal floor-to-ceiling height of no more than 3 metres, and no greater than the internal height of any existing storey within the principal part of the house.
What materials can be used?
The materials used must be of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the exterior of the current house
Where can windows be placed?
Windows must not be placed in any wall or roof slope forming a side elevation of the house.
Following completion of development:
- The house must remain in use as a domestic residential property
- No visible support structures must remain on or attached to the exterior of the house
- The roof pitch of the principal part of the house must be the same as it was prior to the development.
If any of the limits set out above are exceeded then an application for planning permission will be required. If you are unsure, you should contact your local planning authority.
Replacing the window within a bay window is treated the same as any other window. Meaning that the replacement of windows which have a similar appearance to those previously used would not require an application for planning permission.
Repairs, maintenance and minor improvements will also not require an application.
If you live in a listed building or a designated area then different rules may apply.
For more details on replacing windows, visit our common projects section.
