What You Need to Know as a Domestic Client about changes to Building Regulations

If you are planning to undertake work on your own home - either a new house or making changes to your existing home - then under regulations you are a ‘domestic client’ with specific duties

The changes to the regulations are intended to ensure that buildings are designed, constructed and managed to be safe to occupy, and meet all the relevant legal requirements. One of the ways the amendments aim to achieve this is by establishing statutory duties for clients, designers, and contractors, who are accountable for ensuring that projects are designed and constructed to achieve compliance with the building regulations.

If you are planning to undertake work on your own home - either a new house or making changes to your existing home - then under regulations you are a ‘domestic client’ with specific duties

What does this mean for you as a domestic client?

If you are planning to undertake work on your own home - either a new house or making changes to your existing home - then under regulations you are a ‘domestic client’ with specific duties.

You will firstly need to appoint a principal designer and a principal contractor. These should be the professionals in control of the design and construction of the project. If we were working with you on a project, we would typically take on the role of principal designer, managing the project during the design stage. The principal contractor would usually be a main contractor you appoint to undertake the works.

You will also need to make sure that you:

• Allocate enough time and other resources for the project to comply with building regulations

• Provide relevant information about the building as soon as possible - this might include any plans or surveys that you have access to, or knowledge about the site or existing buildings.

• Cooperate with other parties. It’s essential that you work with everyone involved in the project to help them meet their duties.

We can advise you further on these if you decide to work with us. There are further client duties, but as a domestic client these will be passed on automatically to the principal contractor (or contractor) or, if you would like us to, we can undertake them on your behalf instead.

What can we do for you as principal designer?

Barefoot Architects work regularly as principal designer for domestic clients - on new homes, extensions and retrofit projects. Our role is to ensure that all safety and compliance considerations are integrated into the design process. We coordinate work during the design stage, working closely with the design team and contractor to ensure a rigorously thought-through and coordinated design which meets all the required standards and regulations

What about commercial projects?

For commercial projects, client duties are more extensive and you play a critical part in ensuring compliance. We work regularly on housing projects small and large, and can act as principal designer as well as guide you through your roles and responsibilities under these regulations if you need us to.