I have been considering whether to go for a building notice application rather than full plans and thought I would take a straw poll on here.

 

So how many of you didn't bother with a full plans application and how many a building notice?

 

Who went for one and wished they had gone for the other?

 

 

I always went full plans as I wanted to know from day one the structure was approved. Never make assumptions.

I imagine yours is a new-build (yes?), which is a Big Thing. In that circumstance, unless I'd done it many times before, I would go Full Plans. Get them agreed at the outset and then all you need to worry about is the 'execution' on site (BTW I bet that's not all you have to worry about in a new-build, unless you are doing it all yourself!).

 

For smaller works such as extensions and insulation measures I always used Bldg Notice. If you are entirely confident of every detail, and confident that your BCO will agree with your confidence (*not* a 'given') then Bldg Notice is OK, but for a whole NB I would do full plans. I never had any knock-backs using Bldg Notice for smaller stuff.

It depends upon the proposals.

1 hour ago, joe90 said:

Never make assumptions.

This discussion also took place a few days ago.

My summary was:

If you know exactly what you are doing, the building is conventional, and you accept risk.   Building Notice, and you can start more quickly.

 

Otherwise, Full Plans.

We did full plans. When the BCO queried something I had done on the build he looked back at the plans and said well it has been accepted so it's OK. No arguement.

28 minutes ago, Gone West said:

We did full plans. When the BCO queried something I had done on the build he looked back at the plans and said well it has been accepted so it's OK. No arguement.

I had one BCO try to get me to change an RSJ after I fitted it, I had full plans, I told him my SE was more qualified than him and I would be contacting his boss if he did not pass it, it stayed and I am not on his Christmas card list now 🤣.