Principal Designer (CDM 2015)

Principal Designer for construction projects, nationwide.

Practical, properly-qualified PD support for clients, architects, developers and contractors. Preston-based; appointments taken across the UK.

Do you need a Principal Designer?

Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), a client must appoint a Principal Designer (PD) in writing on any project involving more than one contractor. The duty to appoint sits with the client under Regulation 5(1) - if the client does not appoint, those duties default to the client, not the contractor.

Most clients only find out they need a PD when the contractor or building inspector asks who is filling the role. We make that conversation straightforward.

What a Principal Designer actually does

The PD role exists to make sure health and safety risk is designed out early - when changes are still cheap - rather than fought on site when they are expensive and dangerous. The PD's duties sit under Regulations 11 and 12. In practice the work runs through four stages:

  • Pre-design. Walk you through your duties as the CDM client, set up the Pre-Construction Information (PCI) pack, and brief the design team on what is expected.
  • During design. Coordinate the designers' health and safety responsibilities, challenge decisions that store risk for the build phase, and keep the PCI current as the design develops.
  • Pre-construction. Hand over a complete, useable PCI pack to the Principal Contractor (PC), confirm CDM duties are in place across all parties, and sign off before site mobilisation.
  • End of project. Compile the Health & Safety File - useable, not boilerplate - and hand it over for the lifetime of the building.

Advisory support

Already have a PD but need backup? We support clients, contractors and designers with their own CDM duties - understanding what you are actually responsible for, reviewing documentation, or giving a second opinion when something does not feel right.

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Common questions

Principal Designer - your questions answered.

Do I legally need a Principal Designer?
On any construction project involving more than one contractor, CDM 2015 requires the client to appoint a Principal Designer in writing (Regulation 5(1)). If no appointment is made, those duties fall to the client. We help you get the right appointment in place.
What does a Principal Designer actually do?
The Principal Designer coordinates health and safety through the design phase, so risk is designed out early when changes are still cheap. In practice that means preparing the Pre-Construction Information, challenging design decisions that store up risk for the build, and compiling a useable Health and Safety File. The duties sit under Regulations 11 and 12.
When should I appoint a Principal Designer?
As early as possible, before the design work gets under way. The earlier the appointment, the more risk can be addressed at the design stage rather than fought on site later.
Do you take appointments outside Lancashire?
Yes. We are based in Preston and cover the North West for site work, and we take Principal Designer appointments across the UK.
Are you properly qualified and insured?
Yes. Tony Barnes is a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) with an MSc (Distinction), and a Corporate Member of the Association for Project Safety. The practice carries £2m professional indemnity and £5m public liability cover.
Talk to a specialist

Fifteen minutes is enough to know whether BSA is the right fit.

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