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 exempt from control.
The scale of fees is prepared by the Department of Finance and Personnel and defined in legalisation. The fees are increased periodically as the Department deems appropriate.
The Building Control fee should be submitted with the application and other information to the Building Control Department. The application is not valid without the requisite fee being paid. If an application is submitted without the appropriate fee and works were to commence on site, this is technically unapproved works which can give rise to legal proceedings.
The amount of plan fee to be paid depends on the proposal. There is a fixed rate for certain domestic extensions, roof space conversions and houses up to 250m2 in area and detached domestic buildings such as garages. All of these have a fixed fee on which your local Building Control office can advise. For other works such as alterations, dwellings over 250m2 and commercial projects the fees are based on the estimated cost of works. The scale of building work generally reflect the corresponding Building Control fee payable. In small extensions, under 20m2, the fee also covers any and all inspections subsequently carried out on site. Where the work consists of alterations to an existing building or extensions to an existing dwelling and is 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. Please remember the estimated cost is based on the cost that a builder would charge for the complete works. There is no reduction in respect of any works that you may carry out yourself or materials/labour you obtain at a discounted price.
Full Plans Application
For a Full Plans Application, a Plan fee is deposited with the relevant documentation. After the initial inspection by Building Control, an Inspection Fee is due. This is a one off payment and covers all inspections carried out.
Building Notice Applications
For a Building Notice Application the fee is exactly the same as for a Full Plans submission except that, in all cases, both the plan fee and inspection fee are submitted together with the application.
Regularisation Applications
A fee amounting to 120% of the current plan and inspection fee for works carried out is payable on submission of a Regularisation application.
Click here to link to the Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland Building (Prescribed Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997.
Click here to link to the on-line Fee Calculator.
