CHECKLIST FOR BUILDING & RESTORATION PROJECTS

Essential resources for building and restoration projects

Carry out research and rudimentary checks prior to starting work to ensure a successful end result

BUILDING TRADE ASSOCIATIONS & REGULATORY BODIES

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL (CIC) Representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations in the United Kingdom construction industry. Maintains and operates the Construction Industry Council Approved Inspectors Register (CICAIR (see below)). Tel: 020 7399 7400; cic.org.uk

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL APPROVED INSPECTORS REGISTER (CICAIR) Body designated by the Secretary of State in England and Welsh Ministers in Wales that maintains and operates the list of approved inspectors qualified to undertake building control work necessary for building regulations approval. Tel: 020 7399 7403; cicair.org.uk

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BUILDERS (NFB) Founded in 1896, this is the construction industry’s longest-established trade association. Its website carries a public list of NFB-approved builders and a find-a-builder service. Tel: 03450 578160; builders.org.uk

FEDERATION OF MASTER BUILDERS (FMB) The UK’s largest trade association in the construction industry. Established in 1941, it is an independent and non-profit making body that carries a public list of FMB-approved builders and a find-a-builder service. Tel: 0330 333 7777; fmb.org.uk

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES

ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD (ARB) Established by Parliament in 1997, the Architects Registration Board is an independent, public interest body whose work in regulating architects ensures that good standards within the profession are consistently maintained for the benefit of the public and architects alike. Carries a public list of ARB-approved architects and a find-an-architect service. Tel: 020 7580 5861; arb.org.uk ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS (RIBA) Professional body founded in 1834 for the advancement of architecture in the United Kingdom and internationally. Carries a public list of RIBAapproved architects and a find-an-architect service. Tel: 020 7580 5533; architecture.com

OTHER

HISTORIC ENGLAND Executive non-departmental public body tasked with protecting England’s historic environment including listed buildings, gardens and monuments, as well as other protected sites. Carries full and comprehensive information on listed buildings as well as pointers for those seeking renovation and restoration advice. Tel: 020 7973 3700; historicengland.org.uk

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS (SPAB) Founded by William Morris in 1877, the SPAB encourages and provides training for architectural professionals and craftspeople seeking to enrich and complement historic environments. Tel: 020 7377 1644; spab.org.uk

THE GEORGIAN GROUP Heritage conservation charity and national authority on Georgian architecture, created to campaign for the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes. Tel: 020 7529 8920; georgiangroup.org.uk

THE VICTORIAN SOCIETY Charity founded by poet laureate Sir John Betjeman amongst others to protect Victorian and Edwardian buildings in England and Wales. Tel: 020 8994 1019; victoriansociety.org.uk

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP TRUST (QEST) Charity dedicated to excellence in British craftsmanship, including conservation and restoration, through investing in talent, supporting education, sustaining skills and promoting excellence. Tel: 020 7798 1535; qest.org.uk

The sensitive restoration and extension of a Grade II listed house in the Cotswolds by Yiangou Architects.

A NOTE ON BUILDING REGULATIONS & PLANNING PERMISSION

As outlined on the Government’s website, it is a legal requirement to check if building regulations approval is needed before constructing or changing buildings in certain ways. This can depend on the age and status of the property as listed with Historic England (see left under ‘Other’), its location, and the extent of the work. Building regulations approval is sought through a building control body (BCB), of which there are two types: local authority BCBs (council), and private BCBs (private inspectors approved by CICAIR (see left under ‘Building trade associations and regulatory bodies’)).

Though individuals do not need to get approval themselves if using someone registered with a competent person scheme (CPS), it is highly advisable to carry out research and gather as much information as possible for best decision-making. Note also that building regulations approval is different from planning permission, which is sought through the local planning authority, and that both may be required.

For more background and up-to-date information on both of these areas, including the differences between the two, visit gov.uk/building-regulations-approval (includes details of competent person schemes and BCBs), and gov.uk/planning-permission-englandwales (includes details of local planning authorities). n