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AFAIK, since October 2010 local authority BC base their fees on an average hourly rate across the BCOs, with some nominal admin and management charges thrown in. Could be that Barnet just pay their BCOs more, or think inspecting windows take a lot more time than Brent do. 'Technically', BC...

Approved Inspectors cannot take on Regularisations, so you're stuck with the Barnet's charges. No way around it once the works are underway/complete.

No obvious issues with having a kitchen next to a bedroom in principle, but there are some things to consider. Access Escape in the event of a fire via a kitchen is insufficient, but this can be easily overcome through having a escape window to the bedroom. There are loads of other things to...

FYI- 'installation of thermal insulation in a roof space or loft space where the work soley consists of that installation' does not require a Building Regs application under Schedule 4 of the Regs 2010- so you get that one for free :lol:

I agree, their surveyor doesn't sound suitably qualified to understand the implications. re: your second point, it sounds like the retaining structure to these other houses is formed from sheet piles. Although the steel is relatively thin, the corrugated pattern (to allow interlocking and...

Sounds like the BCO is asking for trouble (conflicts of interest etc) but £50 is a very good price for an accredited SAP report. Call me paranoid but I'd be suspicious of any BCO that recommended a 'mate' to do some work for you, which you'll just give back to him and he ticks off as ok.

Yes there is. AD G 2010: 4.15 and 4.17.

as long as there is a basin in the same room as the WC :)

Be careful in assuming this. Your foundation depth may not be deep but conversely it's not uncommon for houses to have extremely shallow foundations. You'll have a better idea if you excavate a trial hole to your foundation (along the line of your extension). If the conservatory is being...

There are plenty of products out there. The one I see most often is Sto render (although external insulation isn't common at all). However, I'm not sure how effective insulating one wall will be, presuming that your floor and roof are also uninsulated.

The answer will be in BS6465-1, but is based on the capacity of the shop, which you haven't mentioned. However, as it's just a renovation and not a change of use of new build, Building Inspector has no control over your sanitary provision (unless you're increasing capacity) which is probably...

That wasn't just a list of Regs, that was a lists of Regs applicable to a material change of use. In my experience, less and less is left to discretion and a 'stab at it' doesn't do the job. Part E, for example, specifically necessitates that the building passes sound tests (with allowances...

No it's not. As far as the Regs go, the applicable standards are exactly the same. See Regulation 5(g) quoted above, which would apply in both scenarios. As I said, most people aren't aware of this and the cost and work implications involved.

Agreed, but the inspector is still within his rights to serve a Contravention Notice on the works to highlight the illegal extension.

It should be part of the form as Regulation 14 (5) states that a request for a Completion Certificate should be made at the time of application where an Full Plans Notice is submitted. Interestingly, this caveat is not included in the rules for Building Notices, allowing some unscrupulous BC...

It wouldn't surprise me on heavy clays with thirsty trees nearby. That being said, any BCO that asks for an engineer's justification beyond NHBC guidelines is more than likely just covering their back.

Private BC (Approved Inspectors) have no powers to accept applications for works which have already started. Any BC dept would reject any such attempt on sight (which they are entitled to do as even private inspectors have to notify the council of their intention to take on a job). You're...

The original application form will have had two boxes for contacts- one for your agent and one for you, as the applicant. Most BC application forms will have a box on them which asks whether you want the Completion Certificate sent to the agent or application (owner). Whoever filled out the...

You do risk heave by ripping out trees and ignoring them completely. For me, it's not worth it for the sake of getting one over on the BCO, especially if it's your own house.

Experience and practical use of the guidance for level thresholds in AD C... Very very little are actual Regs, despite common misconceptions. Most of what people assume to be Regulations are only guidance and it's my job, as a professional, to interpret the guidance and apply it to the grey...