Building regs

[Redhound]

A well respected local builder is meant to be converting my (attached to house) garage into a guest suite. However I asked him recently about building regs and he didn't think they were necessary for the project. Does that sound correct? There would be no external works just the 'up and over' door being replaced by a french doors/window. No planning needed I checked with the council. Thanks

Thanks creativebuilder. I did ask my house insurance and they didn't specify that they required BR, only that my builder would need to sign a form covering safety procedures during the works. However it makes sense that it could have implications. Can I clarify what new founds are please or is this a typo? I will look into applying for a BN.

Yes you will need building regs on permitted development , they will be particularly interested in dpc and membranes, insulation etc being up to living standard, as well as all the other usual things

I think the point meant pre foundations (not new founds). Basically building control have to come round before you start

Thank you for the additional information. There wouldnt need to be any pre-foundations as the floor is fine already. That's interesting that they have to come round first. I think my builder just doesn't want to have to deal with the relevant officers.

Foundations put in for one type of building may not be sufficient of have adequate dpc for another type of usage , when I converted a substantial garage into a self contained living unit mr building control wanted to see the foundations before more work proceeded , this meant digging holes up next to the foundations to see they were of an adequate dept and substance plus the dpc was compliant, this meant one of the guys digging for an hour or so then refilling holes after inspection - not the end of the world

I think your builder might be used to doing a few too many short cuts and therefore not keen to work with building control

Building control as far as the property owner is concerned is your friend, he is on your side ( if there is such a thing as sides) he is there to make sure the building work carried out is up to standard for you and subsequent future owners , he's there to help , any sensible property owner who does anything structural to their property will seek and respect his guidance
All good builders will also have built up a good working relationship with the various building inspectors that they regularly meet in their day to day work .
As regulations change and are updated fairly often he will be one of the best sources of knowledge on them

You will need foundations for the wall that is going where the garage door was surely? Or are you just replacing with patio doors.

"Building control as far as the property owner is concerned is your friend, he is on your side ( if there is such a thing as sides) he is there to make sure the building work carried out is up to standard for you and subsequent future owners , he's there to help , any sensible property owner who does anything structural to their property will seek and respect his guidance
All good builders will also have built up a good working relationship with the various building inspectors that they regularly meet in their day to day work .
As regulations change and are updated fairly often he will be one of the best sources of knowledge on them"

Absolutely agree, @pigeonhole.

Thanks for the further interesting comments. I am friends with the chap who built my house and the garage was originally built with a conversion in mind, so hopefully won't need extra foundations or too much work...but that is a good point to check. There won't be a wall where the garage door was, it will be french doors/window panel.