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Principal Contractor Duties and Competence Requirements

A principal contractor is the contractor with control over the building or refurbishment work under the Building Regulations and is appointed by the client.

If there’s more than one contractor working on a project, the client must formally appoint one contractor in writing to take control of the building work and act as the principal contractor. If there is only one contractor working on the project, that contractor automatically takes on the role of the principal contractor and must carry out all the responsibilities assigned to this role.

Duties Of The Principal Contractor

Principal Contractor role and responsibilities as a dutyholder under the Building Safety ActAs a principal contractor, you bear significant responsibilities in overseeing building work and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. Key duties include:

  • Coordination: Ensuring all contractors' work is coordinated to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Compliance: Assessing building work to ensure adherence to building regulations and rejecting non-compliant work.
  • Collaboration: Working closely with the principal designer to manage and coordinate design and building activities.
  • Communication: Facilitating information sharing among stakeholders, including the client, designers, and contractors.
  • Delegation: Delegating tasks while retaining legal responsibility as the principal contractor.

If engaged in higher-risk building work, additional duties include mandatory reporting, maintaining the golden thread of building information, and ensuring design appointments meet competency standards.

As the principal contractor you can delegate certain functions to others, but that does not make them the principal contractor. The legal responsibilities remain with you.

If you cease to be the principal contractor, you are required to provide the client with a document outlining the arrangements you made to fulfill your responsibilities.

If you are appointed to replace a previous principal contractor, you must review any arrangements they put in place to meet their legal duties.

Competence Requirements

Principal contractors must demonstrate competence in:

  • Legal and Contractual Understanding: Knowledge of applicable legislation and obligations related to building safety.
  • Risk Management: Ability to identify and mitigate risks associated with construction activities.
  • Project Management: Proficiency in planning, organizing, and managing construction processes efficiently.
  • Leadership and Communication: Leading project teams effectively, managing changes, and maintaining transparent communication with stakeholders.
  • Quality Management: Ensuring high standards of construction quality and managing deviations effectively.
  • Information Management: Maintaining accurate documentation and utilizing digital systems for information management.

The British Standards Institute’s PAS8672 outlines recommended competence requirements, serving as a guide to assess and demonstrate competence effectively.