Services / Principal designer (CDM and building regulations)
Principal designer (CDM and building regulations)
Most extension and renovation projects with more than one contractor need a principal designer. We take on the role, plan and coordinate health and safety in the design, and make sure the design meets the building regulations dutyholder requirements.
- FreeInitial consultationA conversation about your project, and a first view of what's possible, before any fee is agreed.
- FixedFee for each stageEvery stage is priced in writing before it starts. No hourly billing.
- 3DSee the design firstYour design is shown in 3D before it's submitted, while changes are still easy.
- FreeResubmissionIf planning is refused, we revise and resubmit at no extra design fee. Conditions
What we do
CDM principal designer
Planning, managing and coordinating health and safety during the design stage, under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Building regulations principal designer
The dutyholder role that makes sure the design work complies with the building regulations, where more than one designer is involved.
Pre-construction information
The information your builder needs about the site and its risks before work starts.
Design risk management
Designing out risks where we can, and recording the ones that remain for the builder.
Health and safety file
The file of information you keep at the end of the project, for future maintenance and alterations.
Coordination with the principal contractor
Information shared with your builder so health and safety is planned for construction.
Principal designer
What's included
Priced by the size of the project and the number of designers and contractors involved.
- Appointment in writing as principal designer
- Pre-construction information for your builder
- Design risks identified and reduced
- Building regulations compliance coordinated across designers
- Health and safety file at completion
Before you start
What we need, and what sits outside our fee
- From you: the property address, a few photos, and any existing drawings, planning approvals or surveys you have. We arrange the measured survey with you.
- Not in our fee: council planning and building control fees, and specialist reports a council asks for, such as a tree survey or flood risk assessment, unless your fee proposal lists them.
- Your fee proposal sets out exactly what is included for your project before any work starts.
Common questions
Does my home project need a principal designer?
Under CDM 2015, a domestic project with more than one contractor needs a principal designer and a principal contractor. If you don't appoint them, the duties pass to the designer and contractor in control of each stage. Appointing someone in writing makes responsibilities clear.
What is the building regulations principal designer?
Since October 2023, the building regulations have their own dutyholder roles. Where more than one designer works on a project, a principal designer must plan, manage and monitor the design work so it complies with the regulations.
Can the same company do both roles?
Yes. We usually take on both principal designer roles alongside our design work, so one team is responsible.
Other services
- Free planning check
- House extensions
- Loft conversions
- Upward extensions
- Renovations and internal alterations
- Basement conversions
- Planning permission
- Lawful development certificates
- Pre-application advice
- Building regulations drawings
- Building control applications
- Structural calculations
- Structural surveys and letters of comfort
- Flat conversions
- Lease plans and licence to alter
- Change of use
- New builds
- Interior design
- 3D visualisation
- Energy and retrofit
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
- Accessible home adaptations
- Commercial fit-outs and shopfronts
- Design consultations
- Party wall surveys
- Build over agreements and drainage
- Planning reports and statements
- Amendments, conditions and regularisation
- Planning appeals
- Conservation areas and listed buildings
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- HMO planning and licensing
- Feasibility and site checks
- Measured surveys
- Building surveys
- Drawing reviews and second opinions
- Location and block plans
- Tender and construction support
- Cost management
- Project management
- Contract administration
- Design and build
- Turnkey projects
- Landscape design
Where we work
Principal designer (CDM and building regulations) across London
Local planning points for the boroughs closest to our Cricklewood studio: Ealing, Harrow, Brent, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Haringey, Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea. See all 33 boroughs.