Most straightforward bathroom refits do not need a building control application, but several parts of the regulations still apply to the work itself. Here is where the line sits, and what we handle as standard.
Usually no application needed
- Replacing a bath, shower, basin or toilet in the same position.
- Re-tiling and redecorating.
- Replacing a like for like extractor fan.
- New flooring.
The work still has to meet the standards, it simply does not require a separate application.
Approval normally required
- A new bathroom created in a bedroom, loft, garage or extension.
- New or altered drainage, including a new soil connection or a macerator run.
- Structural changes, such as removing a wall or forming a new opening.
- Loft conversions, which bring fire escape and floor loading requirements with them.
- Ventilation to a room with no window, which must meet the extraction rates in Part F.
The parts that apply to almost every bathroom
- Part P, electrical safety. Bathroom zones dictate which fittings can go where, and the work must be certified.
- Part F, ventilation. A correctly sized extractor protects the tiling, grout and paintwork as well as satisfying the regulations.
- Part G, sanitation and hot water. Covers hot water safety and water efficiency.
- Part H, drainage. Falls, traps and connections have to be right or you will smell it within weeks.
- Part M, access. Relevant mainly to new build and adaptations, and worth considering for level access showers.
How we handle it
We flag anything notifiable at the survey stage rather than after the strip out, carry out electrical work to the current regulations, size the extractor to the room, and set drainage falls correctly. If your project needs a building control application we will tell you plainly and point you to Stoke-on-Trent City Council or your local authority.
Not sure where your job sits?
Book a free survey. We will look at the room, tell you honestly whether approval is involved, and give you a fixed price quote with the specification written out.
Common questions
Do I need building regs to replace a bathroom suite?
A like for like replacement in an existing bathroom generally does not need approval, provided drainage, ventilation and electrical work all comply.
When is approval definitely needed?
Creating a new bathroom where there was not one before, altering drainage, removing or altering a structural wall, or building a bathroom into a loft conversion all require approval.
Do bathroom electrics need certifying?
Bathroom electrical work is notifiable in England and Wales and must comply with Part P and the wiring regulations. It should be carried out and certified by a competent person.
Is an extractor fan a legal requirement?
Ventilation is covered by Part F. A new or refitted bathroom needs adequate mechanical extraction or an equivalent, sized for the room.
Do I need planning permission?
Internal bathroom work does not normally need planning permission, although listed buildings and conservation areas have extra requirements.