These steps cover the ongoing rules for an established construction business: project compliance, site safety, your workforce, the environment, tax, insurance, trade registrations and records.
Setting up: structure, registrations, insurance and your first contracts.
CDM duties on every project
CDM 2015 applies to ALL construction projects - even small jobs. Check your role and duties at the start of each project.
Client (regulation 4) Make suitable arrangements for managing the project, including enough time and resources and the welfare facilities in Schedule 2 Provide pre-construction information as soon as practicable to every designer and contractor appointed or being considered Make sure a construction phase plan is drawn up before the construction phase begins Make sure the principal designer prepares a health and safety file that is kept up to date and available for inspection Take reasonable steps to make sure the principal designer and principal contractor carry out their duties If you dispose of your interest in the structure, give the health and safety file to the new owner Principal designer (regulations 11 and 12) Plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase and coordinate health and safety during it Identify and eliminate or control foreseeable risks, so far as reasonably practicable Make sure all designers comply with their duties Help the client provide pre-construction information, and provide it to designers and contractors Prepare, review and update the health and safety file Liaise with the principal contractor and share relevant information Principal contractor (regulations 12 to 14) Plan, manage and monitor the construction phase and coordinate health and safety during it Draw up, or arrange for, the construction phase plan before setting up the site, and keep it reviewed and updated Organise cooperation between contractors and make sure they follow the plan where required Provide a suitable site induction, prevent unauthorised access and provide the Schedule 2 welfare facilities Consult workers on matters that may affect their health, safety or welfare Liaise with the principal designer
Appointments
In writing, as soon as practicable and before the construction phase begins
When required
More than one contractor, or more than one foreseeably working at any time
If you do not appoint
The client takes on the principal designer or principal contractor duties
Domestic clients
Client duties normally pass to the contractor (one contractor) or the principal contractor (more than one), or to the principal designer by written agreement
Detailed guidance on CDM duties, notification requirements, construction phase plans, and F10 submissions.
If commissioning work, understand your client responsibilities including appointing duty holders.
Building Regulations approval
Most building work requires Building Regulations approval. Apply through local authority building control or a registered building control approver before work starts.
When approval is needed
You need Building Regulations approval for most building work, including:
New buildings
Extensions and alterations
Loft conversions
Installing controlled services such as heating, drainage and electrics
Material changes of use
Structural alterations
Some work is exempt, such as a detached building of 15m² or less with no sleeping accommodation, or a detached single-storey building of 30m² or less with no sleeping accommodation that is at least 1 metre from the boundary or built substantially of non-combustible material.
How to comply
Unless the work includes a higher-risk building, choose one of two routes:
With a full plans application, you submit detailed plans to building control before work starts. Expect a decision within 5 weeks, or 2 months if you agree to an extension. You usually get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of the work being completed, if it complies.
With a building notice, which is only for smaller projects, you can start work 2 days after submitting the notice. You get no formal approval of plans.
For work already done without approval, a local authority can give retrospective approval (regularisation) for work carried out after 11 November 1985.
Approved Documents
You can show compliance by following the guidance in the Approved Documents for England:
Part A: Structure
Part B: Fire safety
Part C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
Part D: Toxic substances
Part E: Resistance to sound
Part F: Ventilation
Part G: Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency
Part H: Drainage and waste disposal
Part J: Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems
Part K: Protection from falling, collision and impact, including glazing safety
Part L: Conservation of fuel and power
Part M: Access to and use of buildings
Part O: Overheating (new residential buildings only)
Part P: Electrical safety
Part Q: Security in dwellings
Part R: Infrastructure for electronic communications
Part S: Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles
Part T: Toilet accommodation
Approved Document 7: Materials and workmanship
Who provides building control
For work that does not include a higher-risk building, you can get approval from:
your local authority's building control team
a registered building control approver, which is a private building control firm registered with the Building Safety Regulator
A higher-risk building is at least 7 storeys or 18 metres high and has at least 2 residential units, or is a hospital or care home. For work on one, you must get building control approval from the Building Safety Regulator before work starts. From 1 October 2026, applications for building control approval and initial notices for certain residential buildings may be subject to the Building Safety Levy.
Competent person schemes
Installers registered with a competent person scheme can self-certify certain work, such as electrics, heating and windows, without separate building control approval. They give you a certificate within 8 weeks of completion.
Full plans decision
5 weeks, or 2 months with your consent
Building notice
Start work 2 days after submitting; smaller projects only
Completion certificate
Usually within 8 weeks of completion (full plans)
Higher-risk buildings
Approval from the Building Safety Regulator
Regularisation
Local authority only; work after 11 November 1985
Competent person certificate
Within 8 weeks of completion
Building Regulations approval (opens in a new tab)
Building regulations in Wales
How building regulations work in Wales: Welsh Approved Documents, building control, the Welsh higher-risk building regime from 1 July 2026, and SuDS approval.
Building regulations in Wales are devolved. The Building Act 1984 is the primary legislation, and the Welsh Government makes the building regulations and publishes the Approved Documents for Wales. For building work in Wales you must use the Welsh Approved Documents. The rules that apply depend on where the building work is, not where your business is based.
Primary legislation
Building Act 1984
Regulations
Building Regulations 2010, as amended by Welsh statutory instruments
Approved Documents
Parts A to R and Approved Document 7, on GOV.WALES
Parts L and F
Welsh editions, updated on GOV.WALES on 7 April 2026
Building control
Local authority or registered building control approver
Approver and inspector registers
Building Safety Regulator, acting for the Welsh Ministers
Higher-risk building work
Local authorities only, from 1 July 2026
Sustainable drainage
SuDS approval body consent, from 7 January 2019
Higher-risk buildings
From 1 July 2026, the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2025 apply. A higher-risk building has at least 7 storeys or is at least 18 metres high, and has at least 1 residential unit or is a hospital, care home or children's home. Hotels, secure residential institutions and military accommodation are excluded.
For higher-risk building work you need building control approval before work starts and again when it is complete, you must follow change control and report safety issues, and you must keep a golden thread of information about the building. Only local authorities can oversee new higher-risk building work. Work where full plans were deposited, or an initial notice was accepted, before 1 July 2026 stays under the earlier rules unless it has not started within 3 years.
Other building work
From 1 July 2026, the Building etc. (Amendment) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2025 replaced the deposit of plans with applications for building control approval, set duties for dutyholders on all controlled building work, and gave local authorities compliance notices and stop notices. Building control approval lapses if work has not started within 3 years.
The Building Safety Regulator registers and regulates building inspectors and building control approvers in Wales on behalf of the Welsh Ministers. The Welsh Ministers regulate local authority building control.
Sustainable drainage
Since 7 January 2019, construction work with drainage implications needs approval from the SuDS approval body (SAB) before it starts. This is a separate consent from building regulations approval. Work covering less than 100 square metres does not need SAB approval.
Building regulations: approved documents - GOV.WALES (opens in a new tab)
Building regulation - GOV.WALES (opens in a new tab)
When approval is needed, how to apply, and working with building control during construction.
Higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act
Higher-risk buildings (18+ metres or 7+ storeys with 2+ residential units) require Gateway approval from the Building Safety Regulator. Gateway 2 approval is needed before construction starts.
Applies to: Contractors working on higher-risk residential buildings
Official guidance (opens in a new tab)
Gateway stages, golden thread requirements, and accountable person duties for higher-risk buildings.
Determine whether projects need planning permission and how to apply.
Work at height requirements
Falls from height remain the biggest cause of construction deaths. Follow the hierarchy of controls: avoid, prevent, minimise.
Minimum height triggering regulations
Any height with fall risk
Guardrail top rail height
Minimum 950mm above working platform
Toe board minimum height
150mm
Scaffold inspection frequency
Every 7 days + after adverse weather
Maximum penalty (summary)
Unlimited fine
Maximum penalty (indictment)
Unlimited fine + 2 years imprisonment
Legal requirements, hierarchy of controls, equipment selection, and competency requirements.
Asbestos management
Asbestos may be present in any building constructed before 2000. Check for asbestos before starting work that may disturb building fabric.
Survey requirement
Pre-refurbishment/demolition survey mandatory for buildings built before 2000
Licensed work threshold
Asbestos coating; insulation or insulating board unless short duration (2 hours in 7 days, 1 hour per person)
HSE notification period
14 days before licensed work (ASB5 form)
Control limit (4-hour TWA)
0.1 fibres/cm³
Short-term exposure limit (10-minute)
0.6 fibres/cm³
Training renewal
Annual refresher for licensed work
Maximum penalty
Unlimited fine + up to 2 years imprisonment
Duty to manage, survey requirements, and when HSE-licensed contractors are needed.
Asbestos licensing requirements
Some asbestos work requires an HSE licence. Non-licensed but notifiable work requires training and notification.
Regulator
Hse
Typical fee
£3,500 application fee (3-year licence)
Timeline
3-6 months for initial application
Frequency
three yearly
Legal basis
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Required for removal of asbestos insulation, coating, or insulating board (AIB). Must demonstrate competence through ARCA (Asbestos Removal Contractors Association) or equivalent. Separate notification required for each job (14 days advance via HSE online). Medical surveillance and air monitoring mandatory.
Assess, provide, maintain, and train workers on personal protective equipment.
Control hazardous substances (COSHH)
Construction sites use hazardous substances including cement, solvents, silica dust, and wood dust. COSHH assessments are required.
What are hazardous substances?
Substances hazardous to health include:
Substances with workplace exposure limits (cement, silica dust, wood dust)
Substances labeled as dangerous to supply (paints, adhesives, solvents)
Substances with hazard symbols (harmful, toxic, corrosive, irritant)
Biological agents (bacteria in sewage work, legionella)
Dust of any kind in substantial concentrations
Common construction hazards
Cement: Causes dermatitis and burns through skin contact
with wet cementSilica dust: From cutting, grinding or drilling concrete,
stone, brick - causes silicosis and lung cancerWood dust: Hardwood dust is a known carcinogen; all wood
dust causes respiratory problemsSolvents: In paints, adhesives, cleaners - cause headaches,
dizziness, liver/kidney damageLead: In old paint - causes nervous system damageIsocyanates: In spray paints, foam - cause occupational
asthma
COSHH assessment requirements
Employers must:
Identify hazardous substances in useAssess risks to health from exposureDecide what controls are neededPrevent or control exposureEnsure control measures are used and maintainedMonitor exposure where necessaryConduct health surveillance where appropriatePrepare plans and procedures for emergenciesProvide information, instruction and training
Hierarchy of control
Controls must follow this hierarchy:
Elimination: Use alternative, non-hazardous substanceSubstitution: Use less hazardous substance or form
(use paste instead of powder)Engineering controls: Local exhaust ventilation (LEV),
water suppression for dustProcedural controls: Limit time of exposure, reduce
number of workers exposedPPE: Respiratory protection, gloves, coveralls - as
last resort
Key construction-specific controls
Cement: Use pre-mixed concrete where possible; wear
waterproof gloves; wash splashes off immediatelySilica dust: Use water suppression or on-tool extraction;
wear RPE (FFP3 or higher)Wood dust: Use on-tool extraction; wear RPE; clean up
regularly with vacuum (not brushing)
Step 1
Identify all hazardous substances you use or create (check safety data sheets)
Step 2
Complete COSHH assessment for each hazardous substance
Step 3
Prioritize elimination or substitution with safer alternatives
Step 4
Implement engineering controls (LEV, water suppression) before relying on PPE
Step 5
Provide and maintain control equipment (LEV must be examined at least every 14 months)
Step 6
Provide appropriate PPE and ensure workers use it correctly
Step 7
Provide information, instruction and training on hazardous substances and controls
Step 8
Conduct health surveillance where required (e.g., respiratory health checks for silica exposure)
Step 9
Review COSHH assessments regularly and when work activities change
Step 10
Keep records of assessments, health surveillance and equipment examinations
COSHH essentials for construction (opens in a new tab)
Welfare facilities
Every site needs welfare facilities from the start of the construction phase to the end. The principal contractor must make sure they are provided. Where there is no principal contractor, each contractor must make sure they are in place for its own workers, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Provide toilets and washing facilities with hot and cold, or warm, running water, soap and towels, next to each other at places workers can reach easily. Provide wholesome drinking water, rest areas, and changing rooms and lockers where workers have to wear special clothing.
Manual handling
Avoid manual handling that risks injury where you reasonably can, for example by using hoists, telehandlers or smaller bags. Where you cannot, assess the task, reduce the risk as far as reasonably practicable, and tell workers the weight of each load. Review the assessment when the work changes.
How to conduct, record, and review risk assessments under MHSW 1999.
Report incidents to HSE (RIDDOR)
Report deaths, specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, and dangerous occurrences. Report immediately for fatalities or specified injuries.
Death reporting
Notify without delay, report within 10 days
Specified injury reporting
Notify without delay, report within 10 days
Member of the public taken to hospital
Notify without delay, report within 10 days
Over-7-day injury reporting
Within 15 days of accident
Dangerous occurrence reporting
Notify without delay, report within 10 days
Record retention
At least 3 years
HSE incident contact centre
0345 300 9923 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm)
Online reporting
www.hse.gov.uk/riddor (24/7)
Penalty for non-reporting
Criminal offence - unlimited fine
HSE enforcement and inspections
HSE inspectors can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecute for serious breaches. Know how to respond.
Inspector entry powers
Can enter premises without warrant at any reasonable time
Improvement notice compliance
Minimum 21 days to comply
Prohibition notice effect
Immediate stop work until risk eliminated
Fee for Intervention (FFI) rate
£188 per hour (from 1 April 2026)
FFI payment period
30 days (or dispute within 21 days)
Maximum fine (summary)
Unlimited
Maximum fine (indictment)
Unlimited
Maximum imprisonment
2 years for serious breaches
Corporate manslaughter
Unlimited fine + remedial orders
CSCS card requirements
Most sites require valid CSCS cards for access. Ensure all workers and subcontractors have appropriate cards for their roles.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is the UK construction industry's standard for demonstrating competence. While not legally mandatory, most principal contractors require all workers to hold a valid CSCS card for site access.
Purpose
Shows a worker has the right qualification and health and safety knowledge
Legal requirement
None; most principal contractors ask for it
Main card types
Labourer, Blue Skilled Worker, Gold Skilled Worker, Supervisory, Manager
Card fee
£36
Test fee
£23.50
Validity
5 years for most skilled cards
Test pass mark
45 out of 50 (90%)
Test format
50 questions in 45 minutes
Apply for a CSCS card (opens in a new tab)
CSCS card types by role
Different card colours indicate different qualification levels. Match cards to worker competence and job requirements.
Labourer
Unskilled workers only; first card valid 2 years
Trainee
Registered for a qualification; 5-year or 2-year card
Apprentice
Recognised apprenticeship; free; valid 4 years 6 months
Experienced Worker
Registered for NVQ/SVQ level 2 or above; valid 1 year
Blue Skilled Worker
NVQ/SVQ level 2 or apprenticeship; valid 5 years
Gold Skilled Worker
NVQ/SVQ level 3 or advanced craft; valid 5 years
Supervisory
Supervisory or technical NVQ/SVQ level 3 or 4; valid 5 years
Manager
Management or technical NVQ/SVQ level 4 to 7; valid 5 years
Professionally Qualified Person
Member of a CSCS-approved professional body; valid 5 years
Health, safety and environment test
Passed at the level for the role within the last 2 years
Apply for the card that matches your occupation and qualification. The My CSCS app and the Card Finder on the CSCS website show which one that is. Applying for the wrong card can mean you are refused entry to site. Supervisory applicants sit the CITB Specialist Supervisory test and managers sit the Managers and Professionals test.
CSCS card renewals
Cards have limited validity. Track expiry dates and ensure workers renew before cards expire to maintain site access.
Blue, Gold, Supervisory, Manager
5 years
Professionally Qualified Person
5 years; not renewable, apply again
Labourer
First card 2 years; renew for 5 years
Trainee
5-year card, or 2-year card
Apprentice
4 years 6 months; not renewable
Experienced Worker
1 year; not renewable
Renewal window
6 months before to 1 year after expiry
Test for renewal
Passed within the last 2 years
A 2-year Trainee card can be renewed once, for 3 years, with proof of registration on an NVQ/SVQ. The 5-year and 3-year Trainee cards cannot be renewed. A Labourer renewing the first 2-year card needs a test pass from the last 3 years. If your role has changed or you have a new qualification, you may need a different card rather than a renewal.
Specialist competency cards
Some roles require additional competency cards: CPCS for plant operators, CISRS for scaffolders, IPAF for MEWP operators. Verify all workers hold appropriate cards for their work.
Applies to: Contractors using plant, scaffolding, or access equipment
Official guidance (opens in a new tab)
CPCS plant operator cards
Plant operators need valid CPCS cards for the machinery they operate. Red trained operator cards require supervision; blue competent operator cards allow unsupervised work.
Scheme
CPCS (industry card scheme, not a regulator)
Scheme operator
NOCN Job Cards
Card fee
£30 (from 1 August 2026), plus training and test costs
Red card
Theory and practical tests passed; upgrade with a VQ
Blue card
Issued for 5 years
Renewal
CPD Renewal and health, safety and environment test
Legal status
Not required by law
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card shows that you are trained and assessed to operate a category of plant, such as excavators, telehandlers, cranes, dumpers and rollers. For a Red Trained Operator Card you pass the health, safety and environment test, then the CPCS theory test within 2 years of it, then the practical test within 6 months of the theory test. You upgrade to a Blue Competent Operator Card by achieving a vocational qualification (VQ), and the Blue card is issued for 5 years. To renew it you pass the CPCS Renewal CPD and a health, safety and environment test taken in the last 2 years, and show ongoing operating experience.
No law requires a CPCS card. Most sites ask for CPCS or an equivalent card, such as NPORS or ITSSAR, because the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require contractors to have the skills, knowledge and experience to work safely, and the card is a common way to show that (regulation 8).
Check registration status and determine correct deduction rate before making payments.
CIS verification process
Verify all subcontractors with HMRC before first payment. Unverified subcontractors face 30% deduction; verified registered subcontractors 20%.
Contractor registration
Must register before taking on your first subcontractor
£3 million threshold
Businesses spending £3m+ on construction in 12 months count as contractors
Subcontractor deduction rate
20% for registered subcontractors, 30% if unregistered
Gross payment status
Apply for gross payment to avoid deductions (strict tests apply)
Construction Industry Scheme (opens in a new tab)
Waste carrier registration
If you transport construction waste (even your own), you need to register as a waste carrier.
You must be a registered waste carrier to transport waste in the course of a business. Producers of their own waste are normally exempt from registering, but the exemption does not cover waste from construction or demolition work, so a construction business must register even to carry its own building and demolition waste. In England you register with the Environment Agency. Carrying waste without being registered is an offence punishable by an unlimited fine.
New registration
£191.02 (upper tier)
Upper tier renewal
£130.25, every 3 years
Lower tier
No renewal needed; usually free where you only carry waste you produce yourself, other than construction and demolition waste
Changing what your organisation does
£49.62
Change from lower to upper tier, or change of legal form
New registration (£191.02)
Change notification period
28 days
Penalty for not registering
Unlimited fine
Register as a waste carrier (opens in a new tab)
Registration requirements, tiers, and application process for transporting waste.
Waste duty of care
You're legally responsible for waste from creation to disposal. Use only registered carriers and licensed disposal sites. Keep waste transfer notes for 2 years.
Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 puts a duty of care on anyone who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste, or who has control of it as a dealer or broker. You must take all reasonable measures to prevent anyone else breaking the unauthorised-disposal rules in section 33, to stop the waste escaping, and, when you transfer it, to make sure it goes only to an authorised person and with a written description that lets others handle it lawfully.
Legal basis
Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34
Waste transfer note retention
2 years, for both parties
Season ticket
Covers repeated transfers of non-hazardous waste for up to a year
Season ticket and schedule retention
2 years after the last transfer
Hazardous waste records (producer or holder)
3 years at the premises that produced or stored the waste
Fly-tipping fixed penalty notice
£150 to £5,000, set by the waste collection authority (£200 if it sets no amount)
Fly-tipping in court
Up to 12 months in prison and/or a fine; Crown Court up to 5 years
Waste duty of care code of practice (opens in a new tab)
Legal requirements for handling, storing, and disposing of business waste correctly.
Environmental permits, COSHH, asbestos regulations, and fleet compliance.
CIS monthly returns and payments
Contractors must submit monthly CIS returns to HMRC by the 19th of each month , even if no payments were made. Pay deductions by 22nd (electronic) or 19th (cheque). Late filing incurs fixed penalties from day one.
Applies to: All contractors paying subcontractors
Official guidance (opens in a new tab)
CIS gross payment status
Subcontractors can apply for gross payment status to receive payments without deductions. Strict turnover and compliance tests apply.
Gross payment status allows a subcontractor to be paid in full, without CIS deductions. The subcontractor then pays their own tax through Self Assessment or Corporation Tax. HMRC grants it only if the applicant passes three tests: the business test, the turnover test and the compliance test.
Business test
UK construction business run largely through a bank account
Turnover test (individual)
£30,000 of construction payments, excluding materials
Turnover test (partnership or company)
£30,000 per partner or director, up to £200,000
Compliance test
Returns filed and tax paid on time over the previous 12 months
Cancellation
HMRC can cancel it at any time if the tests would no longer be met
Regulator
HMRC
The three tests Business test: the applicant carries on a business in the UK that includes construction operations, or arranging labour for them, and carries it on to a substantial extent through a bank account. Turnover test: the business has received, or is likely to receive in the next year, at least the minimum turnover in payments for construction work, not counting what represents the direct cost of materials. Compliance test: in the 12 months before applying, the applicant has paid CIS deductions, filed CIS returns, paid PAYE and National Insurance, filed Self Assessment returns, paid or accounted for VAT, and answered HMRC's requests for information, or had a reasonable excuse. Subcontractors can apply when they register for CIS or afterwards. HMRC can cancel gross payment status if the tests would no longer be met, if incorrect returns or information were given, or if CIS obligations are not kept.
Register as a sole trader subcontractor or apply for gross payment status (opens in a new tab)
Register a limited company as a subcontractor or apply for gross payment status (opens in a new tab)
Domestic reverse charge for construction
The VAT domestic reverse charge applies to most B2B construction services. The customer (contractor) accounts for VAT, not the supplier (subcontractor). Check if your supplies are within scope.
Applies to: VAT-registered businesses in the construction supply chain
Official guidance (opens in a new tab)
Compare flat rate, cash accounting, and annual accounting schemes for your business.
Start with the insurance the law requires: if you employ anyone, you must have employers' liability insurance with at least £5 million cover, and business vehicles need motor insurance.
Legally required insurance
Employers' liability insurance is compulsory if you have employees. Failing to insure carries fines of up to £2,500 per day; failing to display or produce your certificate carries a fine of up to £1,000.
Required for
Employers of anyone, including part-time staff
Minimum cover
£5 million
Fine, no insurance
Up to £2,500 for each day
Fine, certificate not displayed
Up to £1,000
Covers
Employee injury or illness claims
Exempt
Employers with only close family as employees, unless the business is a limited company
Exempt, based abroad
Employees normally based abroad, until they spend 14 days continuously in Great Britain (7 days on an offshore installation)
Exempt, single employee
A company whose only employee is its owner and who holds 50% or more of the issued share capital
Employers' Liability Insurance (opens in a new tab)
Employers' liability insurance
Minimum £5 million cover is required. Most policies provide £10 million. Cover must be from an authorised insurer.
Required for
Employers of anyone, including part-time staff
Minimum cover
£5 million
Fine, no insurance
Up to £2,500 for each day
Fine, certificate not displayed
Up to £1,000
Covers
Employee injury or illness claims
Exempt
Employers with only close family as employees, unless the business is a limited company
Exempt, based abroad
Employees normally based abroad, until they spend 14 days continuously in Great Britain (7 days on an offshore installation)
Exempt, single employee
A company whose only employee is its owner and who holds 50% or more of the issued share capital
Employers' Liability Insurance (opens in a new tab)
Public liability insurance
Not legally required but essential for construction. Covers third-party injury or property damage. Most sites require contractors to have £2-10 million cover.
Covers
Third-party injury and property damage claims
Typical cover
£1 million to £10 million
Legal status
Not required by law
Construction-specific insurance considerations
Review insurance for each project. Check if your policy covers the work type, value, and location. Some projects require contractor's all risks, professional indemnity, or plant insurance.
Applies to: All construction contractors
Gas Safe registration
Gas Safe registration must be renewed annually. Only work on the appliance types listed on your ID card. It's a criminal offence to do gas work without registration.
Register
Gas Safe Register
Who must be registered
A business or self-employed person doing gas work on gas fittings or service pipework
Legal basis
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, regulation 3
Applies in
England, Wales and Scotland
Proof of registration
Gas Safe ID card with a photograph, registration number, expiry date and the categories of work the engineer can do
Under regulation 3 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, no employer may allow an employee to carry out work on a gas fitting or service pipework, and no self-employed person may carry out such work, unless the employer or self-employed person is a member of a class of persons approved by the Health and Safety Executive. That approved class is the Gas Safe Register, which holds the register of businesses and operatives competent to do natural gas and LPG work. The only exceptions are replacing a hose or regulator on a portable or mobile space heater and replacing a hose that connects a refillable cylinder to installation pipework.
If you have gas work done at a place under your control, regulation 3 also requires you to make sure that whoever does it is competent. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card: the back shows the categories of work they are qualified to do, so check the work you need is listed. New businesses and engineers with a record of complaints or unsafe gas work are subject to a probationary period during which all their gas work is inspected.
Electrical competent person schemes
NICEIC, NAPIT, and other Part P schemes allow self-certification of Building Regulations compliance. Annual assessments required to maintain membership.
Regulator
Niceic
Typical fee
£450-£600 per year (NICEIC)
Timeline
4-8 weeks for initial assessment
Frequency
annual
Legal basis
Building Regulations 2010, Part P (Electrical Safety)
Required for domestic electrical installation work in England and Wales. Allows self-certification of compliance with Part P Building Regulations. Without registration, must notify Local Authority Building Control (fees and delays apply). NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, and others are government-approved.
F-Gas certification
Working on refrigeration, air conditioning, or heat pump systems containing F-gases requires F-Gas certification. Check the renewal terms with your certification body.
Regulator
Refcom
Typical fee
£200-£300 per year
Timeline
Immediate upon qualification verification
Frequency
annual
Legal basis
F-Gas Regulations (EU) 517/2014 (retained UK law)
Required for businesses installing, maintaining, or servicing equipment containing F-gases (>3kg refrigerant charge). Engineers must hold F-Gas Category I qualifications. Company certification required from approved body (Refcom, BESCA, etc.). Must keep records of F-gas handling.
Construction record retention
Keep these records: CIS payment and deduction records (3 years after tax year end), CDM documentation (project duration + reasonable period), health surveillance records (at least 40 years from the last entry), training records, and insurance certificates.
Applies to: All construction businesses
Record retention periods for tax, employment, health and safety, and contracts.
Stay compliant: Set calendar reminders for CIS monthly returns (19th), insurance renewals, CSCS card expiries, and trade registration renewals. Falling behind creates cumulative problems.