Changes to the Building Regulations

A domestic client means a client for whom a project is being carried out which is not in the course or furtherance of a business of that client.

Main duties – what they must do 

• Must provide building information that they have, or it would be reasonable for them to obtain, to designers and contractors working on the project. 
• Must cooperate with anyone working on or in relation to the project to the extent necessary to enable them to comply with their duties or functions.  

Where there is more than one person working on different aspects of the project, a Domestic Client should appoint a Principal Designer to be in control of design work and a Principal Contractor to be in control of the building work.

If a Domestic Client does not appoint either a Principal Designer or Principal Contractor, then the designer in control of the design phase of the project is the principal designer and the contractor in control of the construction phase of the project is the principal contractor.  

The responsibilities of Clients other than Domestic Clients can be found below.

Organisations or individuals for whom a construction project is carried out that is done as part of a business.

Main duties – what they must do 

• Make suitable arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring a project, including the allocation of sufficient time and resource, to deliver compliance with building regulations. In practice, this means appointing the right people, with the right competencies (the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours) for the work and ensuring those they appoint have systems in place to ensure compliance with building regulations. 
• Where there are several firms working on different aspects of the project, the client will need to appoint a Principal Designer to be in control of design work and a Principal Contractor to be in control of the building work.
• Provide building information to every designer and contractor on the project and have arrangements to ensure information is provided to designers and contractors to make them aware that the project includes any existing or proposed higher-risk building work.
• Cooperate and share information with other relevant dutyholders.

A designer appointed by the client/domestic client in projects involving more than one contractor. They can be an organisation or an individual with sufficient knowledge, experience and ability to carry out the role.  

Main duties – what they must do 

• Plan, manage and monitor the design work during the design phase.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the design work carried out by them and anyone under their control is planned, managed and monitored so that the design is such that, if built, it would comply with all relevant requirements of the building regulations.
• Ensure that they, and all those working on the project, co-operate, communicate and co-ordinate their work with the client, the Principal Contractor, and other designers and contractors.
• Liaise with the Principal Contractor and share information relevant to the building work.
• Assist the client in providing information to others.

A contractor appointed by the client to coordinate the construction phase of a project where it involves more than one contractor.  

Main duties – what they must do

• Plan, manage and monitor the design work during the building work.
• Cooperate with the client, the Principal Designer, and other designers and contractors to the extent necessary to ensure that the work complies with all relevant requirements of the building regulations. 
• Ensure that they, and all those working on the project, co-operate, communicate and co-ordinate their work with the client, the Principal Designer, and other designers and contractors.
• Liaise with the Principal Designer and share information relevant to the building work.
• Assist the client in providing information to others.

When a Client or Domestic Client instructs Building Control, they will be able to choose one of two submission routes: make a Full Plans Application or submit a Building Notice.

It is common practice for a Client/Domestic Client to delegate the submission of the relevant paperwork to their Principal Designer or Principal Contractor. The table below provides a quick summary to help you choose the best route.

(NB. Building notices cannot be used for works to commercial properties)

Please note: All applications that are validated by us from 1 October onwards will be treated under the regulations that are now in force, including those that were submitted prior to this date.