Building Control Fee Calculator — Inspection Costs

Building control fees cover the cost of having your building work checked for compliance with UK Building Regulations. Fees are split into two parts: a plan check fee (paid when you submit your application) and an inspection fee (paid when work starts on site). Both are subject to VAT. Fees vary by local authority.

Yes, all extensions require a Building Regulations application regardless of whether planning permission is needed. Even if your extension falls within permitted development, it must still comply with Building Regulations covering structure, thermal performance, drainage, fire safety and ventilation.

Planning permission controls what you build, where you build it and how it looks. Building Regulations (enforced by building control) ensure what you build is safe, structurally sound, energy efficient and accessible. You may need both, either, or neither depending on the project.

Yes. You can choose either your local authority building control service or a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) — the new name for Approved Inspectors under the Building Safety Act 2022 (effective 1 October 2023). All RBCAs and individual Registered Building Inspectors must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator. For Higher-Risk Buildings (residential 18m+ or 7+ storeys) the BSR is the sole building control authority. Private and local authority routes carry the same legal weight for non-HRB work; fees are comparable.

These are indicative estimates based on typical UK local authority charges. Actual fees vary by council and are updated annually. Some councils publish their fee schedules online. For an exact quote, contact your local authority building control department or request a quote from an Approved Inspector.