Building Regulations Fee Calculator

Effective from 1st December 2008

This calculator is provided for information purposes only. All calculations on submitted applications will be checked and verified by the Building Control Service. A full statement on charges can be found in the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 1998, Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 3129.
The Building Regulation charges are divided into plans charges, inspection charges, building notice charges, and regularisation charges. All charges, except regularisation charges, are subject to VAT at the appropriate rate.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘South Northamptonshire Council’.

1. Full Plans Applications
The details submitted with this type of application should include metric plans, sections and elevations of the proposal and sufficient information to enable the proposals to be assessed for compliance with Building Regulations. The correct Plans Fee must accompany the application for it to be registered. The inspection fee where appropriate will be charged on commencement of the works.

2. Building Notice Applications
Building Notices can only be used for domestic works and only in circumstances where the proposal will not affect a public sewer. Building Control hold a copy of the map of public sewers, which it will check against before accepting a Building Notice. For domestic extensions the Building Notice should include a location plan identifying the position of the extension and drainage provisions. The Building Notice fee should accompany a Building Notice application.

3. Regularisation Applications
This type of application may be considered in an attempt to regularise unauthorised works. It is only appropriate if the works have been completed and works commenced after 11th November 1985. There is no guarantee that the submission of a regularisation application will enable a Certificate of compliance to be issued. The regularisation fee is 120% of a Building Notice Fee (VAT not applicable) payable on submission of an application. Building Control may require plans and detailed construction information to be provided.

Help and Feedback

• Full Plans - The Plan fee must be paid on the deposit of the plans with the Council.
• Building Notices - The fee must be paid when the Notice is submitted to the Council.
• Inspection Fee - These will be payable after the first inspection has been undertaken.
• Regularisation Fee – This is 120% of the Building Notice fee (VAT not applicable).
• Exemption - Where work is to provide access and facilities in an existing dwelling, or is an extension to store or provide medical treatment for a disabled person, no fee is required.
• Multiple Works – Where plans show more than one type of work (ie two separate extensions) the fee payable is aggregated accordingly.
• Minor Work - Where schedule 3 work is estimated as costing under £5,000 the total fee is payable on deposit of the plans.
• Instalments - In certain cases the fee may be paid by instalments, contact the Building Control Office for information.
• Electrical Works – There is no additional charge for electrical installations carried out in conjunction with other building regulations works. The charge in Table C (estimated cost of works) applies to unrelated electrical installations/alterations undertaken by electricians who are not members of a Registered Competent Persons Scheme. (A separate guidance leaflet ‘Electrical Safety in the Home’ is available from Building Control).

If you are unsure how to use this calculator or if you have any feedback about its usability, please email building.control@southnorthants.gov.uk or phone 01327 322240.

Table A – Charges for New Dwellings and Flats

Any property with a floor area over 300m² the charge should be determined in accordance with Table C estimated cost of works.

For multiple dwellings where the same house type is repeated, please contact Building Control 01327 322240, as a discount on fees may be available.

Table B – Charges for Small Domestic Buildings and Extensions

Multiple Works – If the work involves more than one extension, you may aggregate the area of all the floors in the extensions to determine the fees. If the aggregated floor areas exceed 60m², the fee will be determined using Table C estimated cost of works and should be no less than the fee for an extension under 60m².

If alterations or works are proposed in the existing building, other than to provide access to an extension, that work will be subject to additional fees calculated in accordance with Table C.

Table C – All other Building Regulations work not included in Tables A and B above

Estimated Cost of Works
Means an estimate, accepted by the local authority, of such reasonable amount as would be charged for carrying out of that work by a person in business to carry out such work. This definition means that no reduction can be allowed for DIY work. Estimates should exclude VAT, land acquisition costs, internal decoration costs, floor coverings and fittings (if not shown on plans), and professional fees paid to architects, engineers or surveyors.