# CDM 2015 for Sole Traders: A Plain-English Guide

Published 16 April 2026 | Site Manager AI

If you run a one-person construction business in the UK, you have probably heard of CDM 2015 and quietly hoped it does not apply to you. Most sole-trader builders assume the regulations are for larger firms on big projects. They are wrong. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to every construction project in Great Britain, no matter how small, and they apply to sole traders.

The good news is that CDM 2015 for a sole trader is nowhere near as heavy as it is for a tier-one contractor. This guide covers exactly what CDM requires of a one-person business, what paperwork you actually need, and what you can safely skip.

## What CDM 2015 is, in one paragraph

CDM 2015 is the UK regulation that sets out who does what to keep construction projects safe. It gives specific duties to five groups: the client, the principal designer, the designers, the principal contractor and the contractors. For a sole trader doing work for a householder or small firm, you usually wear two hats at the same time: contractor, and sometimes principal contractor or designer.

## Does CDM 2015 apply to a one-person builder?

Yes. CDM 2015 applies to every construction project in Great Britain. There is no exemption for small jobs, domestic clients or sole traders. What changes is the depth of what you have to do.

## Who are you under CDM 2015?

- **Contractor.** Almost always. Anyone who carries out construction work is a contractor.
- **Principal contractor.** Only when there is more than one contractor on the project. If you hire a subcontractor or labourer, you become the principal contractor.
- **Designer.** If you make decisions about how something is built (materials, detailing, structural solutions), you are a designer.
- **Principal designer.** Only required on projects with more than one contractor. Rarely applies to sole-trader jobs.

## Notifiable vs non-notifiable projects

Notifiable projects meet either:

- Construction phase over 30 working days with more than 20 workers working simultaneously at any point
- Over 500 person days in total

Notifiable projects require an F10 to the HSE (done by the client). Most sole-trader jobs are not notifiable. Notifiable or not, the rest of CDM 2015 still applies.

## Domestic clients: a special case

A domestic client is a homeowner having work on their own home for non-business reasons. Under CDM 2015, client duties of a domestic client automatically transfer to the contractor. As a sole trader working for a homeowner, you take on both client and contractor duties.

If there is no written contract with the homeowner, CDM 2015 says the builder automatically becomes the client for the purposes of those duties.

## Your duties as a contractor

1. **Plan the work.** Think about hazards before you turn up.
2. **Manage the work.** Keep the plan alive on site. Adjust when things change. Record decisions.
3. **Monitor the work.** Check what is actually happening matches what you planned. Stop when it does not.
4. **Provide information and instruction.** Brief anyone who works with or for you.
5. **Comply with directions from the principal designer or principal contractor.** Follow their rules on their sites.
6. **Take account of the general principles of prevention.** Eliminate risks where you can, reduce them where you cannot.

## Paperwork a sole trader actually needs

| Document | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Risk assessment | Always | Required by Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. |
| Method statement | Usually | For significant tasks. |
| RAMS (combined) | Usually | Expected by most main contractors. |
| COSHH assessment | When using hazardous substances | Paints, cement, solvents, adhesives, fuels. |
| Construction phase plan | Always | Required on every project, however small. Short for small jobs. |
| F10 notification | Only if notifiable | Over 30 working days with 20+ simultaneous workers, or 500+ person days. |
| Pre-construction information | For the scope | Existing drawings, asbestos surveys, known site hazards. |
| Health and safety file | Only with a principal designer | Usually not required on small sole-trader jobs. |
| Site induction record | If you have help | Even a one-day labourer. |
| Toolbox talks | If you have help | Short documented briefings. |
| Public liability insurance certificate | Always | Not strictly CDM, but always requested. |

## The construction phase plan for a sole trader

Required on every CDM project, however small. For a sole trader on a one-week domestic job, two pages covering:

- Project description and address
- Programme and working hours
- Key personnel
- Welfare arrangements
- Key risks and controls
- Emergency arrangements including nearest hospital
- Fire and first aid

Written before the first day on site, updated if the job changes.

## When a sole trader takes on a subcontractor

The moment you bring in another contractor, you become the principal contractor. Extra duties:

- Plan, manage and monitor the construction phase
- Prepare a construction phase plan (more detail)
- Brief everyone on the plan
- Ensure welfare facilities
- Coordinate the work of all contractors

## What the HSE actually looks for

- A construction phase plan on site, even a short one
- A written risk assessment that reflects what is actually happening
- A toolbox talk or briefing record when there is more than one person working
- Work-at-height controls: scaffold tags in date, ladders tied, harnesses in good condition
- Respiratory protection where there is dust (especially silica)
- Segregated pedestrian and vehicle routes
- Usable welfare provision
- First aid kit and named first aider if appropriate

## Common CDM mistakes sole traders make

1. Believing CDM does not apply to them.
2. No construction phase plan at all.
3. Generic risk assessments that do not reflect the job.
4. Forgetting that domestic client duties transfer.
5. No record of briefings.
6. Out-of-date documents.
7. No emergency arrangements.

## A practical weekly routine

- **Before the job:** short construction phase plan, risk assessment, method statement. Insurance check. Card dates.
- **First day:** walk the area, confirm the plan fits, brief any help, sign the briefing record.
- **During the work:** update the plan if anything changes. Short site diary. Photos of unusual conditions.
- **Weekly:** review the plan, re-brief anyone helping, check equipment.
- **After the job:** file documents by project name and date. Keep at least three years.

## How technology can help

Site Manager AI produces UK-format CDM documents tailored to the job you describe, in minutes. You still sign, edit and take responsibility, but you start from a document that already reflects CDM 2015, COSHH and Work at Height Regulations. See pricing at <https://sitemanagerai.com/pricing/>.

## FAQ

**Does CDM 2015 apply if I am the only person on site?**
Yes. Duties are lighter (no principal contractor role until you hire anyone), but the core duties and the construction phase plan still apply.

**Do I need a construction phase plan for a two-day job?**
Yes. It can be short (one to two pages) and proportionate.

**If I only work for homeowners, do I need to do anything?**
Yes. CDM 2015 transfers the client duties to the contractor when working for a domestic client.

**What if I hire a labourer for one day?**
You become the principal contractor for that project. You need a construction phase plan, brief your labourer, and manage and monitor the work.

**Do I need to notify the HSE?**
Only if the project is notifiable (30+ days with 20+ workers simultaneously, or 500+ person days).

**What paperwork should I always have?**
Construction phase plan, risk assessment, method statement for significant tasks, COSHH if using hazardous substances, proof of public liability insurance.

**Can Site Manager AI produce a CDM-compliant construction phase plan?**
Yes. It generates short, CDM-aligned construction phase plans along with matching RAMS and method statements.

**How long must I keep CDM records?**
At least three years after the end of the project. A health and safety file must be kept for the life of the structure.

**Will an HSE inspector really visit a small domestic job?**
Unannounced visits to domestic projects are less common but do happen, especially after a complaint or a reportable incident.

## Related

- RAMS Template for Bricklayers: <https://sitemanagerai.com/blog/rams-template-for-bricklayers/>
- How to Write a Method Statement (UK): <https://sitemanagerai.com/blog/how-to-write-a-method-statement-uk/>
- Sample RAMS PDF: <https://sitemanagerai.com/sample-rams.pdf>
- Pricing: <https://sitemanagerai.com/pricing/>