Applying for a Building Warrant
What is a building warrant?
A building warrant is the legal permission to start building work, or to convert or demolish a building. Carrying out unathorised works without first getting a building warrant is an offence. Building Standards Officers or Verifiers are responsible for issuing building warrants. In assessing your application for a warrant, they must apply the standards set by the building regulations at the date of your application.
The Building Regulations (as above) set down the minimum requirements that must be observed by anyone intending to carry out any of the following building works:
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Erect a new building
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Alter or extend an existing building
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Convert a building
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Demolish a building
If you propose to carry out any warrantable works you are required to apply to obtain a building warrant from Inverclyde Council Building Standards.
Building Standards Customer Journey
This documentation produced by The Scottish Government is to give customers a clearer understanding of the wider process of Building Standards under the following headings;
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The main stages of the building warrant process
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The role of approved certifiers of design
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The role of approved certifiers of construction
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The role of local authority verifiers
Applying for a Building Warrant
Applying for a building warrant online is quick and easy. The eBuilding Standards portal was first introduced in 2017 and has become the favoured way to submit building warrants. On the portal, you can choose the type of application to submit and pay the associated fee at the same time.
To ensure your application is validated successfully upon receipt, you should ensure you have submitted the following;
- An application form
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A location plan with a valid OS license number
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Existing and proposed drawings showing all relevent changes
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An associated fee
It is recommended that you engage the services of a suitably qualified person to deal with all aspects of your application and building works.
Fees
Building Warrant fees have increased on 1st April 2024 and each warrant fee is based on the cost of works stated on the application form. In certain circumstances, discounts may be available on the warrant fees.
A fee calculator is provided on the eBuilding Standards portal home page.
Fees can be paid on the eBuilding Standards portal at the same time as submitting an application.
After submitting your building warrant
When your building warrant has been submitted and validated, the appointed Building Standards Officer has 20 working days to review the application and check compliance with the appropriate and relevant guidance. If your application fails to comply in certain or all areas with the regulations then we will write to you or your agent requesting further information or changes. Amended plans and information can be uploaded to the portal similarly to the original warrant by logging in to your eBuilding Standards account. If the warrant complies with the regulations then the warrant will be granted and you will receive a copy of the building warrant and stamped approved drawings. Once you have received the official paperwork you must inform us when the works are set to commence by submitting a Start of Works Notice via the eBuilding Standards Portal.
How long is my warrant valid and what happens when it expires?
A building warrant is valid for 3 years from the date which it was approved by the relevant Building Standards Officer as it is expected all works will be completed in this time frame.
Under certain circumstances, works may not be completed by the end of this 3 year period and you are therefore required to submit an Extension to the Period of Validity of a Building Warrant, which can be made on the eBuilding Standards Portal. The associated fee for extending an expired building warrant is £150 which can be paid on the eBuilding Standards Portal. Once extended, the warrant is valid for a further 9 months from the date of acceptance and it is advised that any building works are finished and a completion certificate is applied for.