28/08/2026
⚠️ RANT WARNING ⚠️
Just a wee shout-out to fellow architects, architectural technicians and technologists.
How are you finding the navigation of the current Building Regulations and, in particular, the inconsistencies between those in Building Control assessing and interpreting plans?
I would caveat this by saying that, in general, I have a very good rapport with my local Building Control colleagues. This is absolutely not personal, and I have a great deal of respect for the job they do.
However, after 25 years in this profession, I have to be honest and say I’m finding the current situation incredibly frustrating, and at times soul-destroying and exhausting.
I pride myself on producing high-quality work and detailed drawings. I genuinely try to leave very little to interpretation when it comes to detailing and compliance.
But you can spend hours producing detailed drawings, specifications and construction details, responding to queries and making amendments to satisfy one Building Control Officer’s interpretation of the regulations.
Then you can take what is essentially the exact same set of drawings, submit them for another project, and a different officer can come back with another two pages of completely different amendments and queries.
It leaves you wondering: if the regulations are the same, why can the interpretation be so different?
We’re trying to help clients get their projects over the line, while keeping costs down and making their projects financially viable. Every additional amendment, redesign, survey, report or requirement has a cost attached to it - ultimately borne by the client.
I fully understand the importance of Building Control, compliance and ensuring buildings are safe and properly constructed. I have absolutely no issue with that.
What I do struggle with is the lack of consistency - both within the same Building Control office and from one Council to another.
After 25 years in the profession, I’m genuinely questioning how much longer I can continue to work in an environment where it feels like the goalposts keep moving depending on who is sitting at the other side of the desk assessing your projects.
And don't even get me started on Planning... that's a whole other ball game! 😂
I’d genuinely like to hear from others in the profession.
Architects, technicians, technologists, engineers, builders - are you experiencing the same thing?
Is it just me, or has navigating Building Control become increasingly difficult and inconsistent?
