Home Improvements

Your guide from Sussex Building Control

Whatever your project, most home improvements must meet the UK’s Building Regulations. These are national standards set by Government to ensure building work is safe, energy efficient and built to last.

Sussex Building Control helps residents meet these standards. Our role is to support homeowners and professionals and ensure work is compliant. If your project requires a Building Regulations application, our surveyors will review your plans, carry out inspections and check work. A certificate is issued upon successful completion.

Here, we explain two common routes to getting your project signed off and what that means for you.

Building Notice application

Converting a garage is one of the most popular ways to maximise existing space. It’s a great way to add value to your home. But turning a garage into a comfortable, habitable room involves more than just decorating. In most cases, it will need to meet Building Regulations. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for making sure your project is planned and carried out correctly. This includes choosing competent contractors.

Why Building Regulations matter

Garages are usually built to a lower standard than the rest of your home. To safely convert the space, upgrades are often needed for things like:

• Insulation and energy efficiency
• Damp proofing and ventilation
• Structural stability
• Fire safety.

This is where Sussex Building Control can support your project. Typical inspection stages for a garage conversion may include:

• Start of work
• Foundation check (for any new walls)
• Floor insulation and damp proofing
• Structural elements (such as beams)
• Pre‑plaster inspection
• Final completion check

Top tip: Always choose a competent contractor and make sure Building Regulations are considered early in your project.

Competent Person Scheme

For some types of home improvement work, you may not need to submit a Building Regulations application to Sussex Building Control at all. This is thanks to the Competent Person Scheme. It allows certain registered tradespeople to self‑certify that their work complies with Building Regulations. This is an alternative route to submitting a Building Regulations application to us and applies to a range of specific trades, including for:

• Electrical installations
• Gas and heating systems
• Replacement windows and doors
• Some insulation and renewable energy systems.

The scheme is overseen by Government‑approved bodies, ensuring ongoing compliance and consumer protection.

For a full list of the types of works covered please visit: www.gov.uk/building-regulations‑competent‑person-schemes.

What this means for you

Using a registered installer can:

• Save time
• Reduce costs
• Provide peace of mind that work meets standards
• Give you certification needed for selling your home.

How it works

If your contractor is registered with a CPS scheme:

• They complete the work in line with regulations
• They notify their scheme provider
• You (and us) receive compliance certification, usually within 30 days.

It’s important to keep your certificates safe as proof the work meets legal requirements.

Not sure which route applies?

If your contractor isn’t registered with a Competent Person Scheme, you’ll usually need to apply through Sussex Building Control instead.