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Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to meet the required standards, instead of you applying for building regulations approval.
The competent person scheme
Competent Person self-certification schemes allow individuals and enterprises to self certify that their work complies with the building regulations as an alternative to submitting a building regulation application.
A Competent Person must be registered with a scheme that has been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Find out more about DCLG Schemes.
Finding a competent person
Search the Competent Person Register to find a tradesperson or check if they belong to an existing scheme.
If you are looking for an electrician to work on your home you should search the Electrical Competent person register.
Benefits of using a competent person
An installer registered with a competent person scheme is qualified to carry out specific types of work in accordance with the building regulations and to self certify that work. They should both notify us of the work and issue you a certificate of compliance with building regulations either directly or through their scheme operator.
Work a competent person can carry out
Examples of work that can be undertaken by Competent Persons:
- installation of cavity or solid wall insulation
- installation of gas appliances
- installation or replacement of hot water and heating systems connected to gas appliances
- installation or replacement of oil-fired boilers, tanks and associated hot water and heating systems
- installation or replacement of solid fuel burners and associated hot water and heating systems
- installation of a new circuit within a dwelling
- replacement windows, doors, dormer windows, or roof lights in dwellings
- find a complete list of work that can be carried out by a competent person
Once the work is complete
When the work is complete the registered installer should:
- notify us of the work
- issue you a certificate of compliance with building regulations, this can be issued:
- directly by themselves
- through their scheme operator
If you do not use a registered installer then you will have to submit an application and pay a fee to have building control come and inspect the work.
Check out LABC Front Door for Practical advice on home improvements and building regulations.