Building Regulations Drawings After Planning Permission – Can You Use a Different Designer?
- Jan 25
- 3 min read
After Planning Permission – Can You Use a Different Designer?
If you’ve already received planning permission for your extension, loft conversion or garden room, you might be wondering what happens next — and who should prepare your Building Regulations drawings.
A very common question we hear is:
“Do I have to use the same architect for Building Regulations drawings that did my planning?”
The short answer is: no — and many people don’t.
In this article we explain how the process works, why it’s completely normal to change designer after planning approval, and how you can move smoothly into the Building Regulations stage.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations – Two Separate Stages
Although they’re often confused, planning permission and Building Regulations are two very different parts of your project.
Planning drawings focus on how the development looks and whether it meets local planning policies.
Building Regulations drawings are technical construction drawings that show how the building will actually be built and how it complies with safety, structure, insulation, fire regulations and more.
Because they serve different purposes, it’s very common for different professionals to handle each stage.
In fact, many architects only offer a limited planning service and don’t always continue through to the technical design stage.
Can You Change Architect or Designer After Planning Permission?
Yes — absolutely.
Once planning permission has been granted, you are free to use any suitably qualified designer or technician to prepare your Building Regulations drawings.
This happens frequently when:
The original architect is no longer available
Fees for the next stage are higher than expected
You’re moving to a design-and-build contractor
You simply want a faster or more cost-effective service
Your approved planning drawings can be used as the starting point for the Building Regulations application, so there is no need to redo the planning stage.
Who Should Prepare Your Building Regulations Drawings?
Building Regulations drawings are usually prepared by:
Architectural technicians
Architectural designers
Architects
Design-and-build specialists
What matters most is that the person preparing them understands:
UK Building Regulations
Construction detailing
Coordination with structural engineers
What Building Control will expect to see
At Easiplan, we specialise in producing Building Regulations drawings for clients who already have planning approval, particularly where the original architect is no longer involved.
This allows us to offer a focused, efficient and cost-effective service.
What Information Is Needed From the Planning Stage?
To get started, you normally only need:
Your approved planning drawings (PDFs are fine)
The planning decision notice
Any planning conditions that affect construction
From there, the drawings are developed into full technical plans suitable for submission to Building Control and for your builder to price and construct from.
How Long Do Building Regulations Drawings Take?
Timescales vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, but typically:
Small extensions / garden rooms: 1–2 weeks
Larger extensions or loft conversions: 2–3 weeks
If structural calculations are required, these are usually prepared alongside the drawings and submitted together.
How Much Do Building Regulations Drawings Cost?
Costs vary, but for most domestic projects they are usually far less than full architectural fees.
At Easiplan we offer:
Fixed-fee pricing
Clear scope of work
No obligation to use us for construction
This makes it ideal if you simply need professional, compliant drawings to move your project forward.
Our Specialism – Building Regulations Drawings After Planning Approval
A large part of our work comes from homeowners who:
Already have planning permission
Are no longer working with their original architect
Need reliable Building Regulations drawings quickly
We regularly prepare Building Regulations plans for:
House extensions
Loft conversions
Garage conversions
Garden rooms and outbuildings
If your planning has already been approved, you can view our dedicated service page here:
👉 Building Regulations Drawings
Ready to Move Forward?
If you’ve got planning permission and need Building Regulations drawings prepared, we’d be happy to help.
You can send us your approved plans for a quick, no-obligation quote, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Contact Easiplan today to get your project ready for Building Control approval.
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