Building Regulation Drawings

Building control drawings are detailed technical documents that demonstrate compliance with building regulations. These professional drawings include structural calculations, thermal efficiency details, and safety specifications required for approval. Unlike basic architectural plans, building control drawings contain all technical information your local authority building control officer needs to assess your project against current regulations.

Building regulation drawings encompass structural drawings but include much more. While structural drawings focus specifically on load-bearing elements and calculations, building regulations drawings cover all aspects including thermal performance, ventilation, drainage, fire safety, and accessibility requirements. A complete set ensures full compliance with all relevant approved documents.

Qualified architectural technologists, architects, or building designers create building regulation drawings. At AC Design Solution, our MCIAT qualified professionals have the expertise to produce compliant drawings that satisfy building control requirements. We handle everything from initial design through to building control submission and approval.

Building regulations are required for most building projects, including:
Extensions and loft conversions
Structural alterations (removing or adding walls)
New builds and major renovations
Installing new windows or doors
Electrical work and plumbing installations (unless done by competent person)
Garage conversions and outbuildings over certain sizes
Any work affecting fire safety or structural integrity
Most types of building work on domestic building project

Some minor works may be exempt, but it’s always best to check with your local building control officer. Our team can assess your specific project and advise whether obtaining building regulations approval is needed.

You can either submit a building notice or use a full plans application. We’ll help you choose the right route for your house extension or other building work.

Yes, most house extensions require building regulation drawings for approval. Whether it’s a single storey extension, double storey addition, or rear extension, you’ll need detailed technical drawings showing compliance with structural, thermal, and safety requirements. Even extensions under permitted development typically need building control approval.

As a Chartered Architectural Technology practice, we’re often asked whether technical drawings are required. Some clients try to save in the wrong places. While not every project legally requires them, technical drawings are essential for ensuring compliance with Parts A through R of the Building Regulations (as amended).

Technical drawings go far beyond basic architectural plans. They are detailed technical documents that specify critical elements such as structural calculations and beam specifications, foundation depths and construction details, thermal efficiency calculations for Part L compliance, fire safety measures and escape routes, ventilation systems and condensation control, drainage layouts and connection details, sound insulation specifications for party walls, detailed section drawings at 1:20 scale, and application drawings for building control submission.

So why leave this to your builder on site? Even experienced builders are not necessarily equipped to design the entire scheme. For example, 100 mm thick insulation does not have the same U-value between manufacturers; relying on builder-made specifications can lead to compliance or performance problems later.

For electrical and gas work, a competent person scheme member can self-certify certain tasks. However, any structural change always requires proper technical drawings.

Through our experience, even when technical drawings are not legally mandatory, they consistently prevent costly errors. On a recent kitchen extension, our detailed technical drawings identified a drainage issue before construction began, saving the client about £12,000 in potential remedial work.

Our professional data shows that detailed technical drawings typically reduce construction costs by 5 – 15 percent through better material specification and the elimination of on-site guesswork.

If you’re planning a conservatory, do not assume you’re exempt. Our 2025 guide to conservatory building regulations explains when approval is required and whether a building notice can be used.

The real question isn’t whether you need technical drawings, but what level of detail will best protect your investment and ensure full regulatory compliance.

All building work requiring approval must be notified to building control either through a building notice or full plans application. We handle all building control notifications and submissions as part of our service, ensuring your project complies with legal requirements and avoiding potential enforcement action.