Building regulations drawings are technical drawings prepared to show how a building project is intended to comply with the Building Regulations.
They are different from planning drawings. Planning drawings are mainly used to show the size, appearance and planning impact of a proposal. Building regulations drawings go further and consider how the project will be constructed.
They typically cover matters such as structure, insulation, fire safety, ventilation, drainage, waterproofing, access, sound, energy performance and construction detailing.
For many projects, these drawings are used by building control, structural engineers, builders and other consultants before and during the works.
The aim is to reduce uncertainty before construction starts and give the builder a clearer set of information to follow.
Avoid unclear drawings, site delays and avoidable questions during the build
Poor or incomplete technical drawings can lead to confusion on site, unexpected costs, building control queries and delays during construction.
Our building regulations service is designed to give your builder, engineer and building control body a clearer technical package before works begin.
We prepare detailed drawings, identify key construction requirements, coordinate third-party information and remain available to answer reasonable queries during the build.
Our Building Regulations Services
We provide building regulations drawings and technical design services for residential projects across London and the wider UK.
We can assist whether we prepared the original planning drawings or you are coming to us with drawings prepared by another architect or designer.
Building Regulations Drawings
We prepare detailed technical drawings for building control and construction.
These drawings usually include construction notes, build-ups, insulation requirements, fire safety information, drainage principles, ventilation requirements and key junction details.
Technical Design Review
If your planning drawings were prepared elsewhere, we can review the information and advise whether it is suitable to move into the technical stage.
Where drawings are inaccurate or incomplete, we may recommend a site visit and measured survey before preparing building regulations drawings.
Point Cloud Survey Where Required
If we did not prepare the original drawings, or if the existing information appears unreliable, we may recommend a scan or measured survey.
This helps reduce the risk of basing technical drawings on inaccurate plans, which can cause problems once the builder starts work.
Structural Engineer Coordination
Most projects including extensions, loft conversions, internal alterations and new builds require structural engineering input.
We can help coordinate with structural engineers so that the drawings and calculations work together as part of the technical package.
Building Control Coordination
We can help coordinate the building control process and respond to reasonable building control comments relating to our drawings.
Depending on the project, the submission may be made by us, the builder or the client. We will advise the most practical route before the application is made.
Third-Party Consultant Coordination
Some projects need additional consultant input, such as drainage surveys, CCTV drainage investigations, SAP calculations, fire engineering, waterproofing design, party wall input or specialist product information.
We can help identify what is likely to be needed and coordinate the information into the technical stage.
Additional Construction-Stage Services
Where required, we can provide additional services such as site visits during the works, electrical layouts, window and door schedules, radiator layouts and room-by-room schedule of works.
These are not included in every building regulations package, but they can be useful for more complex projects or where the client wants a more detailed tender and construction pack.
Projects We Prepare Building Regulations Drawings For
We prepare building regulations drawings for a wide range of residential and commercial projects.
New homes require a more detailed technical package, including construction details, energy information, structural input, drainage strategy and building control coordination.
Additional consultants are often needed depending on the site and construction method.
Flat Conversions
Converting a building into flats can involve more complex building regulations issues, including fire separation, sound insulation, ventilation, drainage, access, means of escape and services.
A coordinated technical package is important before construction starts.
Building regulations drawings should do more than satisfy a checklist. They should help the builder understand the project, reduce avoidable questions and support a smoother construction stage.
Thousands of Building Control Submissions
We have prepared technical drawings for thousands of residential projects, including extensions, loft conversions, new builds, conversions and internal alterations.
This experience helps us identify common technical issues early and prepare clearer information for building control and builders.
Clear Drawings for Builders
Our drawings are prepared to be practical and understandable.
The aim is to provide a clear technical package that helps your builder price the work, understand the construction approach and ask the right questions before starting on site.
More Than a Drawing Service
We can help coordinate the wider technical team, including structural engineers, building control, drainage consultants, SAP assessors, fire consultants and surveyors.
This helps bring the relevant technical information together instead of leaving you to manage every consultant separately.
Buildability and Value Engineering
We consider how the design can be built, not just how it looks on paper.
Where appropriate, we can consider more practical construction options, simpler details or alternative approaches that may help reduce unnecessary construction cost.
Key Construction Details
We include important construction details such as wall, floor and roof build-ups, abutment details, insulation principles, ventilation requirements and fire safety information.
The exact level of detail depends on the project and the agreed scope.
Support After Issue
Once the drawings are issued, we remain available to respond to reasonable queries relating to our drawings.
Where required, we can also provide additional services such as site visits, schedules, electrical layouts or further details during the construction stage.
Why accurate building regulations drawings matter
Building regulations drawings should provide clear technical detailing, sensible construction decisions and practical information for the builder, engineer and building control body.
Good technical drawings help reduce uncertainty before work starts. They should consider the existing building fabric, site risks, key junctions, abutment details, insulation strategy, drainage assumptions, structural coordination and buildability.
If drawings are based on inaccurate information or untested assumptions, this can lead to delays, redesign, unexpected costs or difficult decisions once works have started on site.
Common issues include:
Existing walls, floors or roof structures differing from the drawings
Drainage runs, services or manholes being missed
Floor levels or ceiling heights being tighter than expected
Existing extensions or boundary conditions being inaccurate
Wall, roof or floor build-ups needing to change once opened up
Key junctions or abutment details needing further design
Our experience with building regulations drawings helps us identify these risks early and make sensible technical decisions before the project reaches site.
Where we have not prepared the original survey or planning drawings, we may recommend a site visit and point cloud scan before starting the building regulations stage. This helps reduce the risk of preparing technical drawings from unreliable information and avoids delays during construction.
We start by reviewing the available drawings, planning approval, project brief and any known site constraints.
If the drawings were prepared by us during the planning stage, we can usually move into the technical stage more efficiently.
If the drawings were prepared elsewhere, we will review whether they are accurate and suitable for building regulations work. Where needed, we may recommend a measured survey or point cloud scan.
2. Draft Technical Drawings
We prepare draft building regulations drawings to set out the main construction principles.
This usually includes proposed build-ups, key details, construction notes, insulation requirements, ventilation principles, drainage assumptions, fire safety considerations and areas requiring structural input.
The draft package helps identify what information is needed from third-party consultants before the final set can be completed.
3. Consultant Coordination
We help coordinate the required third-party information.
This may include structural calculations, drainage surveys, CCTV drainage investigations, SAP calculations, fire engineering advice, waterproofing input, building control comments or specialist manufacturer information.
The builder should also review the drawings before works begin and raise questions early, rather than waiting until midway through the project.
4. Final Package and Building Control Support
Once the required consultant information is received, we update the drawings and issue the building regulations package.
We can assist with building control submission where agreed, or provide the information for the builder or client to submit.
We remain available to answer reasonable queries from building control, the engineer or the builder relating to our drawings.
For some projects, we can also introduce clients to builders we know and have worked with before.
This is a free service for suitable projects and is usually most relevant to residential extensions, loft conversions, refurbishments and similar projects in the London area.
This is not a full tendering or contract administration service. We do not obtain competitive tender returns, manage the tender process, review builder pricing in detail or act as project manager during the works.
Instead, we can make introductions to suitable builders, where available, so you have a starting point for pricing and discussing the build.
Builder introductions are location dependent and subject to availability. The client remains responsible for choosing, appointing and contracting directly with their builder.
Ready to prepare your building regulations drawings?
If you have planning approval, a Lawful Development Certificate or drawings prepared elsewhere, we can help move your project into the technical stage.
Send us your drawings, approval documents and a short description of the project. We will review the information and advise on the most suitable next step.
Our fee depends on the size and complexity of the project, the quality of the existing drawings and whether third-party consultant coordination is required.
A simple internal alteration will usually require less work than a large extension, loft conversion, new build or flat conversion.
We will confirm our fee once we have reviewed your drawings, planning approval and project brief.
Building control fees, structural engineering fees and other consultant costs are separate unless specifically included in our quote.
The timescale depends on the project complexity and how much information is already available.
If we prepared the planning drawings, the technical stage is usually more straightforward because we already understand the project.
If the drawings were prepared elsewhere, we may need to review the information, request missing documents or carry out a measured survey before starting.
We usually confirm the expected programme when quoting.
Building control timescales vary depending on the building control provider, the project type and the quality of information submitted.
For full plans applications, the drawings and supporting information are reviewed by the building control body. Some applications are reviewed within a few weeks, while others take longer if comments are raised or additional consultant information is required.
If the existing drawings are inaccurate, the building regulations drawings may also be affected.
This can cause problems for the builder, engineer and building control once the works start on site.
If we did not prepare the original drawings, we may recommend a site visit and point cloud scan to improve accuracy before preparing the technical package.
Drainage is often one of the main unknowns at technical stage.
If the existing drainage route is unclear, a CCTV drainage survey may be recommended. This can help identify pipe runs, manholes, inspection chambers, defects and potential connection points.
This information can then be coordinated into the building regulations drawings and drainage strategy.
Yes. Planning permission and building regulations approval are separate.
Planning deals mainly with the principle, appearance and impact of the proposal.
Building regulations deal with technical matters such as structure, insulation, fire safety, ventilation, drainage, accessibility and energy performance.
Planning drawings are prepared to support a planning application. They are not normally detailed enough to explain how the project should be built.
A builder may be able to provide a rough estimate from planning drawings, but a proper technical package is usually needed before accurate pricing and construction.
No. Fabrication drawings are normally prepared by the steel fabricator or specialist supplier.
The builder should organise any required fabrication drawings before ordering or fabricating steelwork, glazing, stairs or other specialist components.
We can consider buildability and value engineering during the technical stage.
This may include reviewing whether details can be simplified, whether alternative construction approaches are more practical, or whether unnecessary complexity can be reduced.
We do not act as cost consultants, and we do not provide a full budget review, but we can help identify design decisions that may affect buildability and construction cost.
We can provide additional services such as site visits, progress reviews, builder query responses, electrical layouts, window schedules, schedules of work and further details during construction.
Site visits are location dependent and are quoted separately.
