Design & approvals
Principal Designer services for Building Regulations compliance, managed through one point of contact. We coordinate the agreed service and keep you informed throughout. Your written quotation confirms the scope and formal appointment arrangements. Building Regulations and CDM 2015 Principal Designer roles are separate. Your quotation confirms which role is included.
Since 1 October 2023, clients must appoint a principal designer and a principal contractor under the Building Regulations where more than one contractor is, or is likely to be, involved. The principal designer plans, manages and monitors design work so it complies, and liaises with the principal contractor. If no one is appointed, a commercial client takes on the duties itself; for a domestic client, the designer in control of the design phase becomes the principal designer.
This role is about compliance with the Building Regulations. The CDM 2015 principal designer deals with health and safety in the pre-construction phase. One person can hold both if the client confirms it in writing, but they are separate duties.
Anyone appointed must have the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours for the role, or the organisational capability if a firm, and clients must take reasonable steps to check this.
Your written quotation confirms the exact scope, what is included and any limits for your building.
A record of how design work was coordinated and checked, handover information at the end of the appointment, and the signed principal designer statement that goes with the completion notice.
Sent as a PDF. We can send it to your building control body or agent on request.
Our reports and testing support the compliance process. Approval and completion decisions remain with your building control body: the local authority, a registered building control approver, or the Building Safety Regulator for higher-risk buildings.
Send what you have. Missing details will not stop an enquiry; we will tell you anything still needed.
No. The CDM role covers health and safety in the pre-construction phase; this role covers compliance with the Building Regulations. Building Regulations and CDM 2015 Principal Designer roles are separate. Your quotation confirms which role is included.
Where more than one contractor is involved, the role applies. If a homeowner does not appoint one, the designer in control of the design phase takes it on by default.
No. The role helps the design comply, but approval decisions rest with your building control body.
Often booked with
Preparing and managing your Building Regulations application through the route that suits the project: the local authority, a registered building control approver, or the Building Safety Regulator for higher-risk buildings.
Technical drawings and specifications, or a review of your architect’s drawings against the Approved Documents.
Gathering the certificates, test results and statements building control needs before it can issue a completion or final certificate.
Where we work
Request a quote
Start with this service and add anything else you need. If you are unsure, say so and we will advise.
