Building Regulation Fees
All works which come within the remit of Building Regulations attract a fee. The only exemptions are where the works are exclusively for a person with a disability, or where the works are described as exempt.
The scale of fees is prepared by the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland and are not increased on an annual basis, but periodically, as the Department deems appropriate. As some of the fees are based on an estimated cost of works, any increase in building work generally will be reflected in a corresponding increase in the Building Control fee payable. Proposals where a fixed fee applies are not so affected.
The appropriate Building Control fee is submitted with the plans and other information to the Building Control Department. The application is not registered as being valid without the requisite fee being paid. Indeed if the plans are submitted without the appropriate fee and works were to commence on site, this is technically unapproved works which can give rise to appropriate legal proceedings.
The amount of plan fee to be paid depends on the proposal. There is a fixed rate for certain domestic extensions, detached domestic buildings such as garages, roof space conversions and houses up to 250m² in area. All of these have a fixed fee for assessment of plans of which your local Building Control office can advise.
In small extensions, under 20 m², the plan fee also covers any and all inspections subsequently carried out on site. If part of the works are to be used solely for a person with a disability, those works are separated from the fee calculation and a fee applied to the remainder of the proposed works only.
A convenient way of checking the Building Control fee payable is to visit our web site on http://www.buildingcontrol-ni.com/ and select the 'fee calculator'. This will provide the relevant fee for any works proposed, including those where the fee will be based on an estimated cost of the works. Please remember, the estimated cost is based on the fee that a builder would charge for the complete works. No account is taken of any works that your may be able to carry out yourself, or materials or works that you can obtain at a discounted price.
Full Plans Application
For a Full Plans Application, a Plan fee is submitted together with an application form and plans in duplicate. After the initial inspection by Building Control Officers, an Inspection Fee is raised. This is a one off payment and covers all inspections carried out.
Building Notices
For a Building Notice Application, the fee is exactly the same as for a Full Plans submission except that in all cases, the full fee is submitted together with the application. This fee is equivalent to the plan fee and inspection fees payable for a Full Plans submission.
Building Regularisation
A fee amounting to 120% of the current plan and inspection fee for works carried out is payable on submission of a Regularisation application.
