Building regulations are a set of legal requirements laid down by the government to set standards for the design and construction of buildings. Building regulations will almost certainly apply to your garage, cellar or basement conversion and cover all aspects of its construction including structure, fire safety,ventilation,conservation of fuel and electrical safety. You should be cautious if any contractor offers to convert your basement, cellar or garage without the involvement of the local authority building control dept or an independent building control company.

Building regulations break down into 14 sections as follows:

* Part A - Structure

* Part B - Fire safety

* Part C - Site preparation and resistance to moisture

* Part D - Toxic substances

* Part E - Resistance to the passage of sound

* Part F - Ventilation

* Part G - Hygiene

* Part H - Drainage and waste disposal

* Part J - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

* Part K - Protection from falling, collision and impact

* Part L - Conservation of fuel and power

* Part M - Access to and use of buildings

* Part N - Glazing - safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning

* Part P - Electrical safety

HatchmoreSpace will take care of the building control process. We will submit the building control application and arrange for the building inspector to visit as works progress giving you complete piece of mind. It is important to note that on completion of your project a ‘ final certificate of completion’ will be issued from the building control authority.This document will need to be produced if you wish to sell your property in the future and is proof that the works where carried out in compliance with building regulations.For further help and information regarding building control you may contact Mr Richard Batte at Assent building control on 01924 229180 or visit www.assentbc.co.uk  

Planning permission

Most Garage or Basement conversions will not require planning permission unless your property is a listed building, or is within a conservation area. Some garage conversions may require planning where the permitted development rights of the building have been withdrawn.Planning permission will be required if you intend to convert your basement into a seperate or self contained dwelling. A basement converted into a seperate dwelling will also need to be comply with some additional building regulation requirements including Part E ( passage of sound)

HatchmoreSpace will ascertain if planning permission is required from your local authority and if this proves to be the case, will arrange for architects drawings to be produced and an application submitted.This process may take approximately six to eight weeks.