Building Control Fees
The new building regulation fees become operational
from 1st October 2010. They have had to be changed radically
to comply with the government's requirements for the fees to
reflect the work involved on a project by project basis. The
charges for building regulation work are intended to cover the cost
of the service.
There are two methods that the council may use to establish the
charge for building work:
Individually determined charges
There is an option to agree a fee which is bespoke basing it on
factors such as design, construction form and the anticipated work
involved by Building Control. This option will require a degree of
negotiation as, in order to establish a fee, it will be necessary
to see the design.
An individually determined charge may be determined for
applications involving more complex work, such
as multiple extensions, or a combination of work categories,
or the erection or conversion of 6 or more dwellings, or work
consisting of the erection or conversion of a dwelling where the
floor area exceeds 300 square metres or exceeds three storeys in
height.
However, subject to request, an individually determined charge
can be provided for all works.
If this is an option you would like to follow then please feel
free to contact Tim Parrett on 01233 330275 or email tim.parrett@ashford.gov.uk
Standard charges
There are standard charges for new dwellings, conversions to
form dwellings, certain extensions and alterations and certain
non-domestic work. These are detailed in the fees guides below
(valid as of 4 January 2011).
Standard charges have been set by the council on the basis that
the building work does not consist of, or include, innovative or
high risk construction techniques (details available from the
council) and/or the duration of the building work from commencement
to completion does not exceed 12 months.
Please note that VAT must be added at the standard rate to all
standard charges except regulariation charges.
Standard charges for multiple fees and combined
extensions
Where more than one type of work is proposed there may be more
than one fee payable e.g. extension and removing a loadbearing wall
not associated with the extension. In this type of case a set
fee is payable for the extension and a further set fee is
payable for the removal of the wall.
When two or more extensions are proposed, the floor areas may be
combined to achieve one fee e.g. one extension with a floor area of
20m² and another with 15m² can be combined to create a total floor
area of 35m². This should result in a fee saving.
Standard charges for gas or domestic electrical
installations
Where gas or domestic electrical installations are not to be
certified by an installer registered with one of the government's
competent persons schemes, an additional charge of £168.00+VAT will
be required in respect of either installation for each unit. This
is to enable checks and tests on the work to be made by the
council's nominated contractor to establish that the work meets the
requirements of approved documents J and P.
Full plans applications
With full plans applications the fee is split into two parts,
a submission fee and an inspection fee.
The submission fee, which is normally paid at the same time
as the application, is deposited with the council unless prior
arrangements have been made.
An inspection fee will become payable after the first inspection
has been undertaken. The fee goes towards carrying out inspections
at the following stages, as applicable for the work:
- Commencement
- Foundation excavations prior to concreting
- Oversite
- Drainage laid
- Drainage on test
- First floor structure
- Roof structure
- Pre-plaster
- Completion
Other routine visits can be made, as required.
When you need help and assistance, further calls will be
willingly undertaken. A completion certificate will be sent to you
at completion of the work.
Building notices
The building notice fee must be paid in full when the notice is
submitted to the Council.
Regularisation application fees
Where building work has been carried out without building
regulation consent, a regularisation application may be submitted
seeking retrospective permission. A fee at 150% of the NET building
notice fee shall be payable in full with the application.
Re-submission of a previously refused application
When you re-submit a previously refused application there will
be no additional plan fee to pay. However, if there are variations
to the plan, which requires further checking, an additional fee may
be required. In this situation it will be best for you to contact
the Building Control department for further help and advice.
Re-submissions of a previously approved application
If you are re-submitting a revised application as you wish to
make an alteration to the originally approved scheme, an additional
fee may be required. In this situation it will be best for you to
contact the Building Control department for further help and
advice.
Work exempt from fees
Where applications provide access and facilities for people with
a disability in a dwelling a fee may not be required. Please
contact the fees help line for further guidance.
Fees Help Line
If you require any help regarding fees please contact the head
of Building Control, Tim Parrett, on 01233 330275 or email
tim.parrett@ashford.gov.uk
who will be happy to assist you.
This webpage was updated on
1/16/2012