Do You Need Building Regulations for Roof Work?
Building Regulations apply to roof work when more than 25% of the roof covering is replaced. Here is exactly which jobs that catches, and why our customers never have to deal with the council to get theirs signed off.
The 25% rule, in plain English
The 25% rule is the threshold that decides whether roof work must comply with Building Regulations. If more than 25% of your roof covering is replaced, measured per roof plane, the work is notifiable: it must meet the current standards, including the thermal insulation requirements under Part L, and it must be formally signed off. Below the threshold, a like-for-like repair, such as replacing a handful of slipped tiles, is not normally notifiable.
Normally that sign-off means a building control application, fees, and an inspector visiting to approve the work. There is a second route: a roofer registered with a government-authorised Competent Person Scheme can certify their own work. We are registered with the NFRC Competent Person Scheme, so on every notifiable job we handle the paperwork and issue your official Building Regulations compliance certificate at handover. No council application, no inspector visit, no waiting.
Our patch crosses several building control authorities, Stockport Council, Cheshire East, High Peak, Tameside and Manchester, and the scheme is recognised by all of them, so a re-roof in Disley is certified exactly the same way as one in Edgeley.
Which roof jobs need Building Regulations?
| Work | Building Regulations? | Who signs it off | Council application? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full re-roof (more than 25% of the covering) | Yes, including Part L insulation standards | We self-certify (NFRC CPS) and issue your certificate at handover | No |
| Small like-for-like repair (under 25%) | Not normally | No sign-off needed | No |
| Changing to a different roof covering (for example concrete tile to slate) | Yes, including structural checks for the weight change | We self-certify (NFRC CPS) | No |
| Flat roof re-cover (more than 25%) | Yes, including insulation upgrade requirements | We self-certify (NFRC CPS) | No |
| Loft conversion | Yes, always: full Building Regulations (structural work) | We manage the building control sign-off for you | Handled for you |
| Velux roof window installation | Yes, where the roof structure is altered | Certified as part of the installation | No |
The certificate matters beyond the day of the job: when you sell, your buyer's conveyancer will ask for Building Regulations certificates for notifiable work. Roof work done without one becomes your problem at the worst possible moment. It is one of the five checks in our repair or replace guide and our advice on choosing a roofer safely.
Building Regulations questions we hear most
What is the 25% rule for roofs?
If more than 25% of your roof covering is replaced, the work must comply with Building Regulations, including the current thermal standards under Part L. Below that threshold, a like-for-like repair is not normally notifiable. The 25% is measured per roof plane, so re-covering one full slope of a pitched roof takes you over it.
Do I need to apply to the council for a new roof?
Not when the roofer is registered with a Competent Person Scheme. We are members of the NFRC Competent Person Scheme, a government-authorised register, so we certify our own work: no council application, no inspector visit, no separate fee, and you receive the official Building Regulations compliance certificate at handover. This applies whether your property falls under Stockport Council or a neighbouring authority such as Cheshire East, High Peak, Tameside or Manchester.
What happens if roof work is done without Building Regulations sign-off?
The work is unauthorised: the council can require it to be opened up or redone, and the missing certificate routinely surfaces when you sell, because conveyancers ask for it. Regularising un-certified work after the event costs more than doing it properly. Always ask a roofer who signs the work off before you accept a quote; our guide to roofing safety and your liability covers the other paperwork worth checking.
Does a loft conversion need Building Regulations?
Yes, always: a loft conversion is structural work and needs full Building Regulations approval, separate from the roofing 25% rule. We manage the building control sign-off as part of every loft conversion we build, so you are not left chasing certificates.
Building Regs Handled
Get a Quote With the Paperwork Included
Every notifiable job we do is certified in-house under the NFRC Competent Person Scheme, with your certificate issued at handover.