Checklist
General construction contractor compliance checklist
A complete compliance checklist for general builders and construction contractors working in the UK.
By Complys·26 Mar 2026·6 min read
General construction contractors — builders, fit-out companies, refurbishment specialists — work across a wide range of trades and project types. This means a broad compliance requirement covering everything from CDM duties to subcontractor management.
Insurance
- Public liability insurance — minimum £5 million for most commercial work
- Employers' liability insurance — minimum £5 million, legally required if you employ anyone
- Contract works / all risks insurance — covering the works against damage, theft and collapse
- Professional indemnity insurance — if providing design or project management services
- Plant and equipment insurance
Accreditation
- CHAS or SMAS — SSIP health and safety pre-qualification, required by most clients. Complys helps you build and maintain the documents needed to pass.
- Constructionline — essential for public sector and local authority work
- FMB membership — Federation of Master Builders, widely recognised for domestic and commercial building work
- ISO 9001 — quality management, increasingly required by larger clients
Operative qualifications and cards
- CSCS cards — appropriate level for every operative on site
- SMSTS — Site Management Safety Training Scheme. Required for site managers on most commercial projects.
- SSSTS — Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme. For supervisors and chargehands.
- CPCS or NPORS cards — for any plant operators
- Asbestos awareness training — mandatory for all construction workers who may encounter asbestos
- Manual handling training — records for all operatives
- First aid at work certificate — at least one per site
CDM compliance
- F10 notification submitted to HSE (for notifiable projects)
- Construction phase plan in place before work starts
- Health and safety file maintained
- Principal designer appointed (for notifiable projects)
- Subcontractor compliance checks carried out and documented
Health and safety documents
- Written health and safety policy
- Site-specific RAMS for all significant activities
- Site induction records for all workers
- Permit to work system for high-risk activities
- Scaffold inspection records
- Toolbox talk records
- Accident and near miss records
Compliance checklist summary
- ✓ Public liability insurance (min £5m)
- ✓ Employers' liability insurance (min £5m)
- ✓ Contract works insurance
- ✓ CHAS or SMAS accreditation
- ✓ Constructionline registration
- ✓ CSCS cards for all operatives
- ✓ SMSTS for site managers, SSSTS for supervisors
- ✓ Asbestos awareness training records
- ✓ First aid certificate on site
- ✓ CDM construction phase plan
- ✓ Site-specific RAMS for all activities
- ✓ Subcontractor compliance records
- ✓ Right to work evidence for all employees
Manage your construction compliance with Complys
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