Do I get building control in or not?

[MrDarcysMa]

My house flat is a maisonette with the loft conversion being done in 80s, (no planning application was granted,, indemnity policy for that etc.- all good.)
Kitchen currently has an alcove and in the top half of the alcove is the bottom of the loft stairs boxed and plastered in at a 90 degree angle.
I plan to knock down the alcove as it's non structural to create more work top space, and re plaster over the bottom of the loft stairs.
My question is - the indemnity policy is valid for the property as is, presumably for the alcove and stairs being boxed/ plastered in as they are. But I haven't seen the actual plans for this. Would it affect the indemnity insurance to alter this? How do I find out?
Do I get building control around? Will that open a can of worms?
Basically I need someone to tell me yes you can do xyz or no don't touch it.
don't want to cause myself any headaches down the line when selling.

It isn't a BC issue as you are not proposing structural work (are you sure the arch isn't structural?)

Re the indemnity policy..ask the company but can't see why it would be an issue...what have they indemnified though?

Basic rule is to never involve building control in anything if you are out of process (i.e. have indemnity insurance etc)
Sounds like what you're wanting to do is pretty simple & shouldn't affect anything. Probably a good idea to get a 2nd opinion on what you're planning though - there is probably some regulation regarding fire that affects extending a kitchen directly under a staircase that it might be sensible to adhere to even if you're not planning any sort of formal inspection/sign off due to historic can of worms.

so @ furiertransform who do I get a second opinion from though? My kitchen fitter/ builder said it may affect the indemnity policy so who can give me the go ahead/ say leave well alone ? (apart from building control)

@MarieG10 I don't think this is true, e.g. things like new double glazing windows etc need to be signed off too. So doesn't have to be structural work.
The indemnity policy was for the loft extension inc. the stairs. and we want to change the underside of the stairs.

I agree with PP who suggested speaking to the insurance company.

Stop talking to other people about the policy - that's how it gets invalidated.

The minute you involve building control the indemnity policy is invalid.
This is why I won't touch indemnity policies with a 10 foot barge pole.
I'd get an experienced builder in and don't tell the insurance company and find out if the building as it is will pass building regs as it is and what you need to do to make it pass before you get in building regs and invalidate your policy.

@madcatladyforever the building as it is probably wouldn't pass building regs - the loft conversion was done in the 80s before planning (as it is now was) needed.
The part I want to work on is not the loft conversion but under the stairs (which are part of the loft I guess)

Thanks all For the advice re not contacting building control for advice as that would invalidate the indemnity policy. You stopped me
Putting my foot in it!

Now what I need to know is am I covered by the existing policy for further 'tweaks' - I will not be putting the whole loft 'right' as that would be too much work/ costs.

I might try and contact the insurance company who issued the indemnity policy - surely they'd be 'safe' to talk to about jt.

@MrDarcysMa

@MarieG10 I don't think this is true, e.g. things like new double glazing windows etc need to be signed off too. So doesn't have to be structural work.

Um..yes you are technically correct re the windows but that is only if they do not have a FENSA certificate from the installer. Building control certify new windows if done as part of the building work which is what occurred with mine

I think you may be confusing building control and planning permission. Whilst you may not think the property would get planning permission for the historical work if applied for now - if I understand correctly building control / regs is more about the building work being done securely and safely and I think you can get one without the other.
Planning permission (I think) also has something like a 7 year shelf life in that if it was done more than 7 years ago it can't be asked to be put back.
A good / bigger builder may have their own private building control team - not needing to let the council be aware of the questions being asked to potentially make the indemnity void