The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations apply to nearly every domestic project. The client, the principal designer and the principal contractor all have duties. On most small jobs the builder ends up wearing several of these hats — which is fine, provided the duties are actually being discharged.

For Devon builders working on extensions, refurbishments and conversions, the practical compliance steps are: identify the duty holders in writing, produce a construction phase plan proportionate to the project, brief the team and the client, and keep records.

We can take on the principal designer role on managed projects, or coach builder clients through their own compliance. Either way it stops being something you worry about and becomes something you have evidence for.