What is a planning or building regulations application?
Planning permission decides whether a project can be built; building regulations decide how it must be built. Most extensions, lofts and conversions need building regulations approval even when planning permission is not required.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,500 for application management (council fees extra), including VAT at 20% (standard rate; planning application fees carry no VAT, council building control fees include VAT). Building costs in Scotland are close to the UK average, so the figures for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde are close to our national guide. Council application fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Application management (council fees extra) | £750–£2,500 |
| Larger or more complex projects | £2,500–£3,000 |
The biggest cost drivers are:
- Planning conditions
- Building control route
- Revisions requested by the council
- Council fees
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Planning and building regulations in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in Scotland. In Scotland planning applications and building warrants are both made to the council, and the warrant must be granted before work starts.
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.
Our first visit includes a check of your planning history, so you know the route before paying for drawings.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Discharge of planning conditions
- Permitted development assessment
- Certificate of lawfulness applications
- Planning or householder applications
- Written agreement with neighbours on shared walls
- Building control application and inspections
How long does it take?
Allow about 8 weeks for a householder planning decision (two months in Scotland). If the drawings are for a planning application, add the council’s decision period once they are submitted.
Building in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
In Scotland, bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes are common, so dormer conversions are a popular way to add bedrooms.
Towns we cover in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde include Paisley, Greenock, Newton Mearns, Renfrew, Barrhead and Johnstone.
How it works
- 01
Measured survey
We visit and measure the house so the drawings start from accurate information.
- 02
Concept design
Options for layout and appearance, revised until you are happy.
- 03
Application drawings
Plans, elevations and supporting documents prepared for the council.
- 04
Approval
We follow the application through to a decision and pass on the approved drawings.
Questions about planning and building regulations applications in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
What happens if I build without approval?
The council can take enforcement action, and missing approvals cause problems when selling. It is always better to get approvals first.
How long does a planning decision take?
Councils aim to decide most householder applications within 8 weeks.
What is a certificate of lawfulness?
A certificate from the council confirming that a project is permitted development. It is optional but useful when selling the house.
Do you handle planning and building regulations applications in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
Yes. We handle planning and building regulations applications across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, including postcodes G46, G76, G77, G78 and PA1. Every project starts with a free home visit.
What about shared walls in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
Scotland has no Party Wall Act. Work on shared walls is governed by your title deeds, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 for flats, and common law, so we agree arrangements with neighbours in writing before work starts.
How much does a planning or building regulations application cost in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde?
In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, a planning or building regulations application typically costs £750–£2,500 for application management (council fees extra), including VAT at 20% (standard rate; planning application fees carry no VAT, council building control fees include VAT). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.