Building regulations for extensions across Belfast
For Belfast homeowners we handle building regulations for extensions, with fees agreed in writing before any work starts.
- Guide price in BelfastFrom £750 inc VAT
- Approval routeFull plans or building notice to council
- Timescale2–5 weeks for drawings
- Postcode districtsBT1, BT2, BT6, BT7, BT12
Extensions in and around Belfast
Site visits are available across Belfast (BT1, BT2, BT6, BT7, BT12, BT13). We also work in nearby Castlereagh (2 miles), Newtownabbey (4 miles), Lisburn (7 miles), Carrickfergus (10 miles).
Newtownards, in County Down, is roughly 9 miles from Belfast and also on our list. In Northern Ireland, extension projects follow the NI planning rules and council building control, which we account for from the first survey.
Who this service is for
- Glass-heavy designs that need energy calculations
- Every extension, whatever the planning route
- Homeowners using their own builder who need the drawings
Building regulations approval and planning permission are separate. A design can have planning consent and still need changes to meet the regulations, which is why we draw for both together.
Do I need planning permission in Belfast?
In Northern Ireland building control is run by the councils under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland). We submit full plans or a building notice and book the inspections through to completion.
Before any drawing is finalised we check whether the house is listed, in a conservation area or subject to an Article 4 direction.
Building close to a public sewer needs the agreement of NI Water, which we check during design.
Northern Ireland has no Party Wall Act. Where work is on or close to a shared boundary, we agree access and protection with your neighbour in writing before work starts.
Applications are decided by your council, which handles local planning in Northern Ireland.
Fees in Belfast
These are guide fees for Belfast, adjusted for Northern Ireland (×0.86) and including VAT. Council application and inspection fees are paid separately.
| Option | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Building regulations drawings for a simple single-storey extension | £750 – £1,550 |
| Standard | Drawings plus structural calculations | £1,100 – £2,250 |
| Premium | Complex or two-storey pack with energy calculations | £1,850 – £3,300 |
Our design fee only. Building control charges are set by your council (or, in England and Wales, a registered building control approver) and quoted separately.Council fees are extra and are set by the Northern Ireland Executive.
Want a range for your exact size? The guide-price tool takes about a minute.
Our process, step by step
Site visits are free and there is no obligation. Where drawings are needed, the design stage is priced in writing before it starts.
Free site visit
A designer visits, takes measurements and photos, and discusses layouts, budget and timing with you.
Design and approvals
Once the layout is agreed, we deal with the council: planning permission or written confirmation that none is needed, plus building control.
Fixed written price
We confirm the build price in writing, based on the approved drawings and the finishes you have chosen.
Build and sign-off
We build it with one project manager, book the building control inspections and hand over the completion certificate.
Common questions in Belfast
Can I see a price before committing to anything?
Yes. The guide prices on this page are adjusted for Belfast, and the guide-price tool gives a range for your own size. After the survey you get a written price before anything is agreed.
How long does this take for a Belfast home?
2–5 weeks for drawings, depending on the council and the complexity of the project.
Do you cover all of Belfast?
Yes. We cover Belfast and the surrounding parts of County Antrim. Site visits are free and there is no obligation.
Full plans or building notice?
A full plans application gets the drawings checked before work starts, which we usually recommend for extensions. A building notice is quicker to submit but carries more risk if something needs changing on site.
Book a free site visit in Belfast
We will measure up, check the planning position and give you honest guide figures.
- Free, no-obligation site visit
- Planning route checked before you spend on drawings
- Written price once the design is agreed
- Building control sign-off at the end
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6341 or .
Book a free site visit
Tell us a little about the project and we will arrange a time.