ALTARIS ADVISORY / CDM 2015
Principal Designer services under CDM 2015.
Independent appointments under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Coordinated design-stage risk management with practical communication at every step.
Our core service
More than paperwork.
The CDM Principal Designer is responsible for planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating health and safety during the pre-construction phase on projects involving, or likely to involve, more than one contractor.
We work with clients and designers to make those duties meaningful: making information available, addressing foreseeable risks and ensuring coordination continues as designs develop.
What our appointment can include
Deliverables are tailored to the commission, project phase and information available. A Principal Designer appointment is an active coordination role, not simply a fixed list of documents.
- Reviewing and coordinating available Pre-Construction Information (PCI)
- Liaison with designers, the client and other dutyholders
- Identifying and coordinating responses to significant foreseeable design risks
- Maintaining an appropriate design-risk record or register
- Supporting required information flow to the Principal Contractor
- F10 notification administration where applicable and within agreed scope
- Planning and coordination of Health and Safety File preparation
- Design-stage monitoring and review as the project evolves
The legal threshold
When is a Principal Designer needed?
Under CDM 2015, where more than one contractor is involved, or it is reasonably foreseeable that more than one contractor will be involved, the project requires a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor. The duration of works alone does not remove that requirement.
Common questions
Principal Designer FAQs.
Do small or short projects require a Principal Designer?
Potentially, yes. CDM 2015 does not create a blanket exemption for projects lasting only a day or two. The key threshold is whether more than one contractor will be involved, or is reasonably foreseeable, alongside the rules applying to the type of client.
Is a CDM Principal Designer the same as the Building Regulations Principal Designer?
No. They are distinct legal roles with different duties and competence requirements. Altaris does not currently provide Building Regulations Principal Designer (BRPD) services.
Can you work with our existing architect and contractor?
Yes. Coordination between appointed designers, the client, Principal Contractor and other project participants is central to the role.
Are site visits included?
Site attendance depends on the project and the scope agreed. Our online Quote Portal allows you to select site attendance where appropriate.