NHBC's advice
- Always seek appropriate professional advice.
A professional building surveyor, structural engineer, architect or chartered architectural technologist should be able to provide sound advice on alterations and extensions and guide you through all of the related technical and legal issues. - Obtain the necessary approvals.
Contact your local authority to find out whether the work that you are considering requires Planning Permission or Building Control approval. Some works may also require permission from your landlord. - Use competent contractors.
Use reputable firms, recommended to you by others.
Electrical alterations should be carried out by a professional electrician. The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) keep registers of approved firms.
Work on the gas installation in your home should only be undertaken by a CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers) registered installer.
Use installers registered with the following organisations for work on or associated with gas, oil or solid fuel appliances:
- CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers) for gas appliances.
- OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry) for oil fired appliances.
- HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme) for solid fuel appliances.
