For designers
How can a practice outsource the CDM principal designer role?
Short answer
The role moves when the client appoints somebody else to it, in writing. That is the only mechanism. A practice can arrange that in three ways: recommend a specialist for the client to appoint directly, sub-consult the role under its own appointment, or keep it and resource it internally. Direct client appointment is the cleanest, because the duties, the contract and the fee all sit in the same place.
The three routes
| Route | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Client appoints the specialist directly | You recommend, the client appoints in writing, the specialist is a separate consultant on the project | Nothing much. This is the clean version: the duty, the contract and the fee are in one place |
| You sub-consult the role | You hold the principal designer appointment and engage a specialist beneath it | You remain the appointed principal designer to the client. The duty is still yours; you have bought help with it, not moved it |
| You keep it in house | Priced, resourced and systematised inside the practice | Perfectly legitimate, and a real service line. It needs a system, not goodwill |
What makes the appointment effective
- In writing. Regulation 5(1) says in writing, and there is no informal version.
- By the client. The client makes the appointment. A designer cannot appoint the principal designer on the client's behalf without authority to do so.
- Before the construction phase begins, and as soon as is practicable, which in practice means while the design is still moving.
- To a designer with control over the pre-construction phase. The person appointed has to be in a position to actually do the coordinating.
Questions worth asking a specialist
- What exactly is in the fee?
Pre-construction only, or through the construction phase and the health and safety file? The difference is significant and often hidden.
- What do you need from me, and how often?
If the answer is open ended, the administration lands back on your team.
- What does the client actually receive?
Ask to see the shape of a pre-construction information pack. Generic packs are common and are not much use to a builder.
- Do you provide the Building Regulations principal designer role too?
A yes or no either way is fine. A vague answer is not, because they are separate appointments.
- What happens if the design changes after work starts?
On most projects it does. Find out whether that is inside the fee.
- Who is doing the work?
Named, contactable, and reachable by your design team.
How it works with ClearCDM
Direct client appointment, with the practice doing as little of the arranging as possible. You can build the client's quote yourself in the quote tool, choosing the architect, engineer or designer route, and send them a link to check and send to us. The client appoints; you stay copied in where it helps.
Your involvement after that is one short designer form per project. Around ten minutes. The practice page sets out the whole arrangement, including the tracked referral link if you send work regularly.
Sources
- CDM 2015, regulation 5: appointment of the principal designer and the principal contractor legislation.gov.uk
- CDM 2015, regulation 7: application to domestic clients legislation.gov.uk
- CDM 2015, regulation 11: duties of a principal designer legislation.gov.uk
- HSE: principal designers, roles and responsibilities hse.gov.uk
Hand us the CDM principal designer role
You keep the design appointment. Build your client's quote in about two minutes and send them the link to check and send on, so the appointment is theirs and the admin is not yours.
Build your client's quote →Not sure yet? read how it works for practices.