Groundwork & Foundations

Replacement of ground floor joists with screed

Sola Awelenje 17/12/2025 - 7.58 AM

I intend to replace the entire ground floor of my 1930s semi-detached house from suspended timber joists flooring to concrete screed. This is required for 2 reasons 1. Install underfloor heating (water) primarily and address issues which might cause damp within the foundation 2. Uniformity within the installed screed for the kitchen extension a few yrs ago. Does installing the concrete screed require a building control application to be submitted to the council. I am of the opinion this might be classed as structural. I will need your professional advise on this. Thanks.

LEBELLE HERITAGE & RESTORATION LTD

Rating: 5 out of 5

5/51 review

St Lukes, London

Yes, replacing a suspended timber ground floor with a concrete screed does require Building Control approval. It is classed as a material structural alteration and also affects damp proofing, insulation, ventilation, and thermal performance under the Building Regulations. Building Control will want details of the proposed floor build-up, DPM, insulation, and underfloor heating. Even though planning permission isn’t required, a Building Control application should be submitted before work starts to ensure compliance and avoid issues later.

Answered21 December 2025

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