The Complys Blog
Practical guides and compliance checklists for every UK trade - scaffolding, electrical, roofing, rail, healthcare and more.
Guides
How to build a RAMS in under 5 minutes (UK 2026 guide to Q&A-driven RAMS tools)
Writing a UK construction RAMS by hand takes 4 to 6 hours. Filling in a template takes 1 to 2. A modern Q&A-driven RAMS tool produces a complete document in under 5 minutes. Here is how question-driven RAMS generation actually works, what makes the output good, what makes it bad, and how UK trade contractors should evaluate the tools available in 2026.
Email tracking for trade contractors: who actually opened your quote, RAMS or compliance pack (UK 2026)
Most trade contractors send compliance documents, quotes and RAMS into a black hole. You never know if anyone opened them. Here is how email tracking works in 2026, what it tells you, what it does not, and how UK contractors should use it to follow up better, win more tenders and protect margins.
How to share your compliance pack with main contractors in one link (UK 2026 guide)
Most subcontractors send their compliance pack as a zip file of PDFs over email. Here is why that approach is breaking down in 2026, how live compliance share links work, what main contractors expect to see, and how UK trade contractors should handle compliance evidence going forward.
How Complys rewrites failed RAMS into approved documents (UK 2026 guide)
When a principal contractor sends back a RAMS as 'not adequate', rewriting it by hand can take half a day. Here is how AI rewrite tools like Complys work, what they fix, what they cannot fix, and how UK trade contractors should approach automated RAMS rewriting in 2026.
How Complys checks subcontractor RAMS in 30 seconds (UK 2026 guide)
Reviewing subbie RAMS by hand can take 30 minutes per document. Here is how AI-powered review tools like Complys work, what they catch, what they miss, and what UK principal contractors should expect from automated RAMS checks in 2026.
Electrical RAMS UK 2026: what every electrician's risk assessment and method statement must cover
A complete guide to writing an electrical RAMS that passes main-contractor checks. Live working, isolation, EICR, BS 7671, CDM 2015 and the 8 sections every electrical RAMS must contain.
How to start a scaffolding company in the UK: complete guide for 2026
Step-by-step guide. CISRS qualifications, Ltd company formation, insurance, equipment, accreditations, pricing, T&Cs, hiring your first employee.
NASC vs CISRS: what's the difference and which do UK scaffolders need?
Plain English explanation of NASC and CISRS - what each is, how they relate, who needs which, and what main contractors check.
TG20 scaffolding compliance explained for principal contractors
What TG20 covers, what falls outside it, what to check on scaffolder documentation, and the most common TG20 compliance failures on UK construction sites.
Scaffolding compliance in the UK: the complete guide for contractors
Everything scaffolding contractors need to know about NASC, CISRS cards, insurance, CHAS and sharing compliance with principal contractors.
What is a training matrix and how to build one for your construction business
A complete guide to construction training matrices - what to include, why clients require them and how to keep them updated automatically.
How to run Google Ads for your construction business
A practical guide to Google Ads for UK trade businesses. Keywords, budgets, ad copy, location targeting and measuring results.
Do you need a CRM for your construction business?
A practical guide to CRM software for UK contractors. What it does, which features matter and how to choose the right tool.
CRM for trades: the UK guide for 2026
Prices, features and what actually matters when choosing a CRM for a UK trades business. With comparisons of HubSpot, Pipedrive, Monday and Complys.
Construction CRM software UK: a buyer's guide for 2026
How to choose construction CRM software in the UK. What to look for, what to avoid, real prices, and why most generic CRMs miss the basics.
CRM vs spreadsheet for tradespeople: when to make the switch
Honest comparison of running a UK trade business on spreadsheets vs proper CRM software. When spreadsheets work, when they break, and the signs you've outgrown them.
How to become an ECO4 approved installer in the UK
A complete guide on certifications needed, earnings potential and how to start taking on ECO4 work.
ECO4 grants: how homeowners can claim up to £25,000 free
Who qualifies, what is covered, how to apply and what to expect from the ECO4 scheme.
What is a RAMS document and do you need one?
A plain-English guide to Risk Assessments and Method Statements - what they are, when you need them, and how to write one quickly.
How to write a RAMS for scaffolding (UK 2026): step-by-step
Step-by-step guide to writing a UK scaffolding RAMS. What to include, how to identify hazards, and how to keep them project-specific to pass main contractor checks.
Roofing RAMS template UK 2026: what every roofing RAMS must include
Complete guide to roofing RAMS in the UK 2026. HSG33 requirements, fragile roof presumption, hot works, lead, wind speed thresholds, edge protection.
Lead flashing RAMS UK 2026: a roofer's guide to CLAW 2002
Complete guide to lead flashing RAMS for UK roofers in 2026. CLAW 2002, hot works, oxy/acetylene, blood lead monitoring, and the controls every Principal Contractor expects.
RAMS template free UK 2026: what main contractors actually want
Free RAMS template for UK trades. What HSE-aligned RAMS must include in 2026, why generic templates fail, and the AI alternative.
Method statement examples UK 2026
Real-world method statement examples for scaffolding, electrical and roofing work. What goes into a method statement and what main contractors expect.
RAMS vs risk assessment: what's the difference (UK 2026)
RAMS vs risk assessment explained. What each is, how they differ, when each is needed, and why UK construction has standardised on combined RAMS.
Are AI-generated RAMS HSE-compliant? (UK 2026 honest assessment)
Can AI generate UK RAMS that pass HSE and main contractor checks? An honest look at what works, what does not, and what to verify before relying on AI-generated RAMS.
CDM 2015 compliance guide UK 2026: the complete reference
CDM 2015 explained in plain English. The duties for clients, principal designers, principal contractors and contractors. Notification thresholds, documentation requirements.
CHAS vs SafeContractor vs SMAS UK 2026
Honest comparison of the three biggest UK SSIP schemes. Real costs, real coverage, what main contractors accept, and how to choose without paying for all three.
How to get CHAS approved in 2026: step-by-step UK guide
Step-by-step guide to getting CHAS accreditation in the UK. What documentation you need, how to prepare, common reasons for failure, and how to pass first time.
Building Safety Act 2022 explained for UK trades
What changed for UK trades, the new duty holders, the Golden Thread, who has to register, and what main contractors will demand from you.
What UK main contractors actually look for in subcontractors
An honest look at what UK main contractors really check when selecting subcontractors. What gets you on the approved list, what gets you removed, and what wins repeat work.
UK Construction Insurance Complete Guide 2026
Complete UK construction insurance guide. Public liability, employers liability, contract works, professional indemnity, contractor all-risks. What is mandatory, what is optional, typical 2026 premiums.
How to get CHAS or SMAS accreditation: a guide for small contractors
What CHAS and SMAS require, why applications fail, and how to make sure your business is ready before you apply.
Compliance checklists by trade
Find the checklist for your trade or company type.
Scaffolding compliance checklist: what contractors want to see
Everything a principal contractor will check before letting a scaffolding company on site - NASC, CISRS cards, RAMS and more.
Electrical contractor compliance checklist
The documents, certifications and insurance every electrical contractor needs to work commercially in the UK.
Roofing contractor compliance checklist
What roofing contractors need to have in place before working on commercial and domestic projects in the UK.
Groundworks and civil engineering compliance checklist
Compliance requirements for groundworks, civils and earthworks contractors working on UK construction projects.
Plumbing and heating contractor compliance checklist
Gas Safe, CIPHE, insurance, RAMS and everything else a plumbing and heating contractor needs to be compliant.
General construction contractor compliance checklist
A complete compliance checklist for general builders and construction contractors working in the UK.
Principal contractor compliance checklist
Everything a principal contractor needs to manage on their own compliance and across their subcontractor supply chain.
Sole trader compliance checklist for UK tradespeople
What sole traders in the UK need to have in place to work commercially - insurance, RAMS, accreditation and worker documents.
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