CDM 2015: what small builders and trades need to know
CDM duties apply to construction work, including smaller domestic projects, and responsibilities depend on your role.
Applies to: Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate construction-design-and-management regulations.
Last checked: 3 October 2026
Key points
• CDM 2015 sets legal duties for people involved in construction projects.
• Duties depend on whether you are a contractor, principal contractor, designer or another dutyholder.
• Domestic projects are not automatically outside CDM.
• Planning, competence, cooperation and suitable health-and-safety arrangements matter even on small jobs.
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Small jobs still count
HSE guidance is specifically aimed at small builders, contractors, subcontractors and self-employed people carrying out construction work. The size of the business does not remove the need to manage health and safety.
Know your role
A project may involve clients, designers, contractors, a principal designer and a principal contractor. Your duties change with the role you hold, so identify that early rather than assuming someone else is responsible.
Use HSE guidance as the starting point
For a real project, use current HSE CDM guidance and project-specific risk information. BuildPair guidance is a signpost, not a replacement for competent health-and-safety advice where the work requires it.
Official sources
Use these official sources for the current detail that applies to your job, contract or location.
BuildPair provides general information and signposting, not legal, structural, electrical, gas or building-control approval. Requirements can change and the right answer depends on the work, contract, location and facts.
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