They are two entirely separate legal requirements. Planning Permission relates to the principle of development - the appearance, size, and use of a building and its effect on the local area. Building Regulations relate to the technical construction of the building—ensuring it is safe, healthy, and energy-efficient. You almost always need Building Regulations approval, even if you don't need Planning Permission (e.g., for some Permitted Development projects).

You need approval for almost all new building work, including all new homes, extensions, loft conversions, and basement conversions. You also need it for many major alterations, such as removing a load-bearing wall, installing a new bathroom in a room that wasn't previously a bathroom, or replacing windows.

Legally, the homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring the work complies. However, when you engage a professional firm like Reltic, we take on that responsibility on your behalf. Our project managers ensure the construction team builds exactly to the approved technical drawings, and we manage all site inspections with the Building Control officer or Approved Inspector.

Yes, a qualified Structural Engineer London is an essential member of the project team. They are responsible for designing and providing the calculations for all structural elements, such as foundations, beams, and roof structures. We work with a network of trusted structural engineers and will manage their appointment and coordinate their work as part of our service.

Once the project is complete and the inspector has conducted their final visit and is satisfied that all work complies, they will issue a Completion Certificate. This is a vital legal document that you must keep safe. You will need it if you ever sell your property, as it proves the work was carried out to the required legal standards.

You can legally start work as long as you have submitted a "Building Notice" or a "Full Plans" application to the building control body (either the council or an Approved Inspector) at least 48 hours before you begin. However, we strongly advise against starting any significant work until the full technical design is complete and the plan check has been carried out, as this minimises the risk of having to undo non-compliant work.

Our integrated model makes the process seamless. Our in-house designers produce the Technical Design Pack in collaboration with our construction team, ensuring the plans are practical and buildable. We then manage the entire Building Control Approval process. This single point of accountability removes the stress from you and ensures a smooth transition from the technical design phase to the start of construction.