Non-domestic building control fees January 2024

Our charges for non-domestic new builds, conversions, extensions and alterations  - valid from 1 January 2024.

There are two methods of establishing the charge for building work:

  • standard charges
  • individual determined charges

If the charge for your Building Regulation work is not listed as a standard charge it will need to be individually determined.

If your charge requires to be individually determined please contact Building Control by email at buildingcontrol@bedford.gov.uk.

Important notes

The relevant charge is payable at the time of submission. When a Building Regulations application for Building Control approval with full plans is submitted, a two stage charge is normally payable. The plan charge must accompany the submitted drawings and application form, and the inspection charge is a once-only payment that is due after the first inspection. If the relevant charge is not received the application cannot be treated as deposited.

These charges have been set by Bedford Borough Council on the basis that the building work does not consist of, or include, innovative or high risk construction techniques and the duration of the building work from commencement to completion does not exceed 12 months.

The use of competent person scheme

The charges have also been set on the basis that the design and building work is undertaken by a person or company that is competent to carry out the relevant design and building work. If they are not, the work may incur a supplementary charge.

The charges for a Regularisation is non refundable.

Reduction in charges and supplementary charges

Where work is to be carried out at the same time and involves more then one extension the floor areas of each extension can be added together to determine the chargeable category payable.

A 50% reduction can be applied to multiple works being carried out at the same time. The appropriate charge is calculated by paying the full amount for the most expensive category and only 50% for the other applicable categories.

VAT must be added to all charges submitted with an application (except for Regularisation Certificate applications). All inspection charge invoices sent out after the first inspection will have VAT added at the appropriate rate.

Charges will not be payable for works to provide access and/or necessary facilities for disabled people.

Please visit our Do I need planning permission page to see if planning permission is also required. 

Non-domestic extensions and new build

Description Full plans*: Plan charge Full plans*: Inspection charge Regularisation charge
Industrial and storage use: Floor area which does not exceed 40m2 £170 + VAT £500 + VAT £840
Industrial and storage use: Floor area exceeding 40m2 but does not exceed 100m2 £240 + VAT £765 + VAT £1260
Assembly, recreation, other residential, shop, office and commercial use: Floor area which does not exceed 40m2  £190 + VAT £565 +VAT £945
Assembly, recreation, other residential, shop, office and commercial use: Floor area exceeding 40m2 but does not exceed 100m2  £285 + VAT £825 +VAT £1390

*Building regulations application for building control approval with full plans.

Other non-domestic work

Description Full plans*: Plan charge Full plans*: Inspection charge Regularisation charge
Renovation of a thermal element with value up to £50,000 £195 + VAT Nil £245
Up to 20 replacement windows, roof-lights, roof windows or external glazed doors £225 + VAT Nil £285
Between 21 and 50 replacement windows, roof-lights, roof windows or external glazed doors £260 + VAT Nil £325
Alterations with an estimated cost of less then £5,000 £265 + VAT Nil £335
Alterations with an estimated cost that exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £10,000 £135 + VAT £265 + VAT £500
Alterations with an estimated cost that exceeds £10,000 but does not exceed £25,000 £190 + VAT £315 + VAT £635
Alterations with an estimated cost that exceeds £25,000 but does not exceed £50,000 £245 + VAT £415 + VAT £825

*Building regulations application for building control approval with full plans.