Alterations and Additions Works
Any person who intends to carry out alteration or addition building works in existing premises is required by law to appoint an authorized person, and where necessary a registered structural engineer, to prepare and submit plans for the approval of Building Authority under the Buildings Ordinance. He is also required to appoint a registered contractor to carry out the building works.
Examples of alterations and additions works to existing building are:-
- constructing a new extension block to an existing building;
- adding additional floors or cocklofts to an existing building;
- constructing a swimming pool;
- linking two or more floors by removal of parts of the floor slab and/or adding internal staircases;
- combining two or more units into one by removing the partition walls;
- installing cladding or curtain wall to the façade of existing building;
- subdividing a unit into smaller units;
- adding water tanks, canopies and shelters, structural frames for air-conditioning or other plant, structural supports for advertisement signboards etc; or
- removing facilities for persons with a disability.
Readers should note that having the ownership of or rights of
access to adjacent flat roofs, canopies, roof tops, yards, light
wells or ground floor areas does not automatically entitle one
to erect structures on them. Reference should be made to the Deed
of Mutual Covenant, approved building plans, building regulations,
lease conditions and, if in doubt, building professionals should
always be consulted.
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