Building Control fees are payable to the local authority or an approved inspector to cover the cost of plan checking and site inspections that verify work complies with Building Regulations. The fees are set by each local authority and vary, but government guidance provides a framework within which most authorities operate.

How Building Control Fees Are Calculated

Local authority Building Control fees are typically split into two components: a plan charge, paid when the application is submitted to cover the cost of checking the drawings, and an inspection charge, paid to cover the on-site inspection visits during construction. For a building notice, which does not involve plan approval, only an inspection charge applies.

The fee is calculated based on the estimated cost of the building work. The government's charge-setting framework uses a schedule of chargeable floor areas and construction costs to determine the fee band. In practice, most local authorities publish a fee schedule on their website that can be used to estimate the cost before submitting an application.

Typical Fee Examples

For a single-storey rear extension with a floor area of around 20 square metres and an estimated construction cost of around forty thousand pounds, the Building Control fee is typically in the range of two hundred to four hundred pounds in total for both plan check and inspection. For a more substantial extension of fifty square metres with a construction cost of ninety thousand pounds, the fee is typically three hundred to six hundred pounds.

For a new dwelling, which involves more plan checking, structural assessment, and inspection stages, the Building Control fee is typically one thousand to three thousand pounds depending on the floor area and complexity. For a large or complex new build, fees can be higher.

Approved Inspector Fees

Approved inspectors are private Building Control bodies that carry out the same statutory function as the local authority. Their fees are commercially set rather than being based on a government schedule, and vary between firms and project types. For straightforward residential work, approved inspector fees are broadly comparable to local authority fees. For commercial or complex work, approved inspectors often offer competitive pricing and potentially faster service. Getting a quote from both the local authority and an approved inspector for significant projects allows comparison.

Competent Persons Scheme

For certain types of work, using a contractor registered with a Competent Persons Scheme, such as FENSA for windows, HETAS for solid fuel appliances, or Gas Safe for gas work, allows the work to be self-certified without a separate Building Control application or fee. The contractor notifies the local authority on your behalf and issues a compliance certificate. This route avoids the Building Control fee for eligible work types.

Summary

Building Control fees for a standard single-storey extension are typically two hundred to six hundred pounds. A new dwelling attracts fees of one thousand to three thousand pounds or more. Approved inspector fees are commercially set and broadly comparable for routine work. Building Control fees are modest relative to project costs and should not discourage homeowners from obtaining the required approvals. Competent Persons Scheme contractors avoid Building Control fees for eligible work types.