Always Required: Building Regulations for EV Chargers

When you're installing an electric vehicle (EV) charger at your home, you will always need to secure building regulations approval. This particular type of work is officially categorised as 'notifiable work' primarily because it involves setting up a brand-new electrical circuit within your property.

How to Get Building Regulations Approval

For any notifiable work, you must inform your local building control body (BCB). You have two main options to secure the necessary approval:

• Through a Competent Person Scheme: If your installer is registered with a competent person scheme, they are authorised to self-certify their own work. They will then provide you with a compliance certificate and take care of notifying the BCB on your behalf.

• Directly with Your Local Building Control Body: Should the individual performing the installation not be registered under a competent person scheme, then you yourself are responsible for notifying the relevant BCB. You can achieve this by submitting either a Building Notice or a Full Plans Application.

As the homeowner, you ultimately bear the responsibility for ensuring that all the correct approvals are obtained and that the BCB receives notification. While your installer might inform the BCB about the work, you should never simply assume they will; always make sure to clarify their exact role to guarantee that all requirements are fully met.

Your Compliance Certificate

Once your EV charger installation is complete, you should be issued a compliance certificate. This crucial document serves as proof that the work performed meets all relevant building regulations. If you find yourself unsure about which certificates you have received, or if the BCB has been notified, you can contact either the BCB or the registered competent person who carried out the work, depending on the route taken.

Costs and Timelines

The expense for a building control application, which notifies the BCB, can fluctuate. This depends on whether you engage your local BCB directly or utilise a professional registered under a competent person scheme. Generally, this particular fee is already incorporated into the overall installation price you pay. Importantly, you can commence the notifiable work a minimum of two days after the notice has been successfully submitted to the BCB.

Helpful Advice for Your Project

• We strongly recommend that you select a reputable company and verify that your installer holds all the required qualifications for the job.

• If building regulations approval is not granted, you must modify the work to ensure it fully meets the necessary standards.