If you wish to build a structure on land that you own then it is important to remember that before you break ground on the project that you must ensure that your plans fall in line with building regulations. Dino Tomassetti Jr is an expert when it comes to housing construction regulations and in a recent webinar which he did, he went into the importance of building code but most importantly why we have it in the first place.
Many believe that the code and the regulations around building is restricting but the reality is that it is something which we absolutely need, and here is why.
Personal Safety
These regulations are a culmination of many years of experiences in the construction industry and they have been set forth in the main to help protect all involved in a construction project. The rules that have been created are to protect construction workers whilst they are on the job and also to protect those who will be using the property. Throughout the years we have seen fires, personal injury and even death, in reacting to that the building code was created which focused primarily on the safety of everyone involved in a new construction.
Environmental Protection
Another clear use of the building code is to protect the environment in which the building is being constructed. In some cases this is directly about the environment and making sure that the building is constructed with green credentials, but sometimes we also see certain codes and regulations which are focused on the preservation of a city or town. There are many examples of this around the world where we have certain building code regulations which seek to preserve a natural or traditional quality, and therefore they will require that any new building falls in line with the style of the rest of the street or the housing nearby.
Freedoms
Many planning permission applications are denied based on the disruption that any construction may cause for neighbors or fellow residents. For example if you wish to build an extension on your home which is going to block the view which someone has then you will most likely be refused permission for doing so. Equally if there will be a massive amount of disruption which the construction of the building will cause, in terms of vehicles, noise and air pollution, then you may also be told that you are not able to go through with the build. These regulations are aimed towards the freedoms of those fellow residents and that is why they are able to appeal any permission which may be granted.
As you can see it is absolutely essential that you have a full understanding of what the building codes are, whether or not your planned structure falls in line with it and what the risks are if you do not adhere to your local housing construction regulations.