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FAQs: Building Control Changes in Wales

Fri, 06/26/2026 - 11:29
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New regulatory changes in Wales are reshaping building control responsibilities for clients, designers and contractors. SOCOTEC Building Control has compiled these FAQs to help you understand your obligations and stay compliant.

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Wales Building Control Changes FAQs

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Can SOCOTEC Building Control still administer works within an existing hospital or care home over 18m?

No, we would be unable to offer Building Control Services for a hospital over 18m or seven storeys, as this would be classified as an HRB and therefore would need to be administered by the BSR.

Can SOCOTEC Building Control still administer works within the commercial areas of an HRB?

Yes, we can still control works carried out within "independent sections" of HRBs once the base build works are complete. Typical examples would include the fit-out of a retail unit at the ground floor of a building with offices within the multi-use or linked building. Independent sections are those which are accessed by their own entrance and link to the wider building, unless it is for exceptional emergency use or maintenance use only.

Can SOCOTEC Building Control act as our Principal Designer for Building Control?

The Building Control Principal Designer role is not a service that we can offer. Socotec can, however, offer a Building Regulations, ‘Principal Designer Advisor’ service that utilises the knowledge and skills of our expert consultancy team. Please get in touch if you have any questions relating to this service and how we can assist.

Is the Building Act 2022 and Building Regulations 2010 criminal or civil law?

The changes in regulations now result in the legislation becoming criminal law. Where works do not comply with the Building Regulations, enforcement under this legislation could result in criminal proceedings against individuals who are proven to be in contravention of the legislation.

I am removing a load-bearing wall to a domestic property. Do I still need to comply?

The requirements apply to all works and the domestic client should appoint the required suitably qualified persons. Domestic clients are required to understand their duties and ensure they appoint the right designers and contractors for the project.

The only difference between domestic and commercial application is that the ‘dutyholder notification’ can be signed and agreed by an agent, designer or contractor working under the Regulations, is considered the Person Appointed (PA) or the Principal Designer (PD). The notification declares that PA or PD has advised the client of their duties under the Regulations and can discharge any further responsibilities beyond that scope of work.

An example of this would be where a Principal Designer of a domestic project provides the contact details of the future Principal Contractor (PC), the PD will provide a signed declaration to the client advising them that they should notify SOCOTEC Building Control when the new PD or PC is confirmed. Where the works are to be undertaken by the client, the client will become the Principal Contractor and must ensure they are competent under the legislation and fulfil all duties of the role.

BROCHURE

View our Welsh Building Regulations Brochure

Welsh building regulations brochure

New Building Control regulations are coming to Wales in 2026 — view our brochure to learn more.

Read more

New Building Control regulations are coming to Wales in 2026 — view our brochure to learn more.

Interested to find out more about new regulations?

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