subject: Loft Conversion Building Regulations - Why Should I Bother? [print this page] Loft Conversion Building Regulations - Why Should I Bother?
Loft Conversion Building Regulation - Why Should I Bother?
It might seem an odd question but why should I pay out for loft conversion building regulations when I already have an architect and a decent builder to make sure that the job is done properly. As long as I'm happy why should I pay out another load of money and get absolutely nothing back for it?
Are UK Building Control Fees Just A Stealth Tax?
Whilst on the face of it is might appear to be an absurd question but what is the real value of paying out 1,500 or so to the local Building Control Departments for Loft Conversion Building Regulations Approval:
Do they guarantee the work done is up to scratch? Apparently Not!
Do they guarantee me from getting sued by my neighbors in case my builders damage their property? Apparently Not?
Do they actually guarantee anything about the job? Apparently Not!
I know I must be getting some benefit from calling in Building Control to oversee the job and paying out 1,500 or so for the pleasure but I haven't a clue what. So what happens if I don't inform Building Control. Am I going to get in trouble? Actually, that's another good question for which there are several answers.
Lets take a look at what won't happen:
Will they put me in jail? Actually No!
Will they take my house? Actually No!
Will they make me get building regulations approval? Actually No!
This started out as a simple question but now I'm more confused than ever. Let me sum up here:
I'm supposed to pay out 1,500 or so for Loft Conversion Building Regulations? Right!
I don't get any form of guarantee for the work from the local council? Right
They don't put me in jail, take my house of make me get building regulations approval if they find out about it? Right?
Then why on earth would I possibly want to pay out 1,500 or so for loft conversions building regulations when I get absolutely no perceived value whatsoever?
The Short Answer
Building control services were at one point an advisory service that was available through your local council at no cost to homeowners. If you were considering say a kitchen extension they were the boys that came out and told you how deep to dig and how tie the new building in with the house to ensure that it didn't fall down. Their visit basically ensured that new residential buildings were of a habitable quality and didn't pose a threat to neighboring properties.
Overall it was a decent service and was provided FREE by experts called District Surveyors employed by your local council.
Nowadays it is possibly the worst service of any kind that you are likely to get from any local council within the UK. The reality is that at the end of the day you pay an arm and a leg for services that you don't want but all parties concerned tell you that you must have it and yet you receive no value whatsoever.
Conclusion
There are at least two option here. Option 1 is to pay the fee and treat it as another stealth tax. Option 2 is not to pay the fee and see what happens.
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