Yes. Contact should be made with the Building Standards Unit in the first instance via email (buildingstandards@falkirk.gov.uk).

A building warrant is the legal permission to begin building work, convert or demolish a building.

Details on how to apply are provided on our Building Warrants page. 

A conversion is a change of use of a building which will cause the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 to apply - for example, changing a loft space from storage use to an apartment, or a garage into a bedroom. A building warrant is required for a conversion, even if no building work is carried out.

No.

Unless you are familiar with the Building Regulations requirements, you are strongly advised to choose a qualified person, such as an architect, to apply for you.

We aim to respond to all applications within 20 working days. In special circumstances, we may agree to assess an application within a shorter timeframe.

Your plans should show:

• The location and nature of your plans and how they relate to any existing buildings
• The type of materials and products being used
• The size of rooms
• The position of appliances planned
• Drainage details

You may also need to provide:

• A soil investigation report
• A ground contamination report
• A mineral report
• Structural certification and calculations
• An energy rating report
• Information on how the site will be secured and what precautions will be in place to protect the public

For further advice please contact our Building Standards Unit or seek independent professional advice.

You do not need to tell your neighbours when you apply for a building warrant. Neighbour notification is applicable under the Planning system.

Your application will be entered into the Building Standards register. It will be assessed against the requirements of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.

You may start work if you have received all the permission you need for the work to be carried out. You must let us know in writing when the work is starting and when it is completed. You will also need to give us the option of inspecting the works and attending tests, such as drainage tests, at certain stages of construction.

Some projects will require both. For more information and advice, please contact the Development Management and Building Standards Unit.

Yes. Please visit our Building Standards online area for information on how to submit your application form, building plans and payment options.

We aim to respond to you within 20 working days. However, various factors can have an impact on the time we take to make a decision on your application.

These factors include:

• The standard of plans, specifications and information provided
• The workload of the Building Standards Unit
• If we require any additional information from you or your agent

It is an offence to carry out work without a building warrant and legal action could be taken against you.

If you do not require planning permission, your neighbours cannot object to the plans in your building warrant application.

You may start work once you have received your approved building warrant. You must tell us when work will begin. You must arrange routine inspections and drain tests or drain inspections. Drain tests must be carried out prior to backfilling and when the work is completed.

A building warrant is valid for three years from the date of issue. You can apply for an extension if the work has not been completed in that time.

If you wish to change your plans, please contact our Building Standards Unit who can advise you.

Scottish Ministers can give a view on the extent to which planned building work meets the regulations. This is not an unofficial appeal system, but to clear up genuine doubts from applicants or Verifiers about what meets the regulations.

The Ministers will only give a view if they think it fit. If you would like a view, you should contact the Building Standards Division who act on behalf of the Ministers. They will reply stating whether or not they are prepared to give a view, what the fee is and when a response will be given.

No.

Yes. You will also need approval from our Housing Department.

Yes.

This varies depending on the project. Please check with our Building Standards Unit.

No.

A building warrant is needed for some internal work. Our Development Management & Building Standards Unit or the Technical Handbooks on The Scottish Government website can advise you on this.

As a council, we are required to keep a Buildings Standards register for all warrant applications and decisions. These registers can be viewed by the public.

If work has started without a building warrant, an application can be made at any time before a completion certificate has been accepted for the building. A late application fee will be applied. We may request parts of the construction to be exposed for inspection before a building warrant is issued and changes may be required if the work does not meet the correct standards.

When you applied for a building warrant, the application package contained a completion certificate form. You must complete this form when the works are finished and return it to our Building Standards Unit. The works will be inspected and if we are satisfied, we will issue an ‘acceptance of completion certificate’ notice. If the works are rejected, we will tell you the reasons for rejection.

Please visit The Scottish Government website. You can also speak to our Building Standards Unit.

You may give your opinions of the service provided by our Building Standards staff by:

1. Sharing your experience in the national customer satisfaction survey for building standards. 
2. Emailing the Building Standards Unit Manager at buildingstandards@falkirk.gov.uk. 

You can complain using our formal complaint procedure or in writing to the Building Standards team.

The fee for submitting your building warrant application is a sliding scale based on the estimated value of the works. You can view the table of fees on our Building Warrants page. A fee may not be required if the works are to change or extend a home to provide facilities for a disabled person, provided the works only benefit that person.