Who is considered the Client under this guide?

Under the guide, the Client is the person or organisation that commissions building work, including design, construction, refurbishment or maintenance. If you are a building owner, developer or commissioning work, you are the Client and a Dutyholder under the Act.

Can a Client pass their legal duties to someone else?

No. The guide makes clear that Client duties are non transferable. Even if you nominate someone to make an application or manage part of the process, legal responsibility remains with you.

Do Client duties apply only to Higher Risk Buildings?

No. The guide explains that Client duties apply to all building work requiring Building Regulations approval. Higher Risk Buildings carry additional responsibilities, but the core duties apply to all projects.

What are the Client's main duties at the start of a project?

Clients must make suitable arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring the project. This includes allocating sufficient time and resources and appointing competent Principal Designers and Principal Contractors where required.

What does the guide say about appointing competent teams?

Clients must appoint dutyholders and supply chain members who demonstrate the required Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours. Procurement should prioritise competence and organisational capability, not lowest cost alone.

What are the Client's responsibilities during construction?

Clients must oversee safe construction, ensure compliance with Building Regulations, monitor progress and risks, and maintain clear records of inspections and decisions.

What are the Client's responsibilities after construction?

Post occupation, Clients must ensure the building is maintained safely, appoint competent facilities management teams, keep maintenance and safety records up to date, and act promptly on hazards or defects.

What additional duties apply to Higher Risk Buildings?

For Higher Risk Buildings, Clients must follow the Gateway process, maintain the Golden Thread of information, develop a Construction Control Plan, register the building, prepare a safety case and report relevant safety occurrences.

What happens if a Client gets it wrong?

The guide states that non compliance can result in regulatory action from the Building Safety Regulator, financial penalties and criminal prosecution, as well as reputational and commercial risk.

What makes a Client compliant according to the guide?

A compliant Client ensures applications are complete, competent and evidence based, appoints the correct dutyholders, verifies supply chain competence, coordinates design information properly and understands that legal responsibility always sits with the Client.

Labour Market Intelligence Report 2026

Name: Clients' Guide To The Building Safety Act
Author: BESA

New Research Reveals Growing Skills Pressure Across the Building Services Engineering Sector

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has published its new Labour Market Intelligence Report 2026, providing one of the most detailed pictures ever produced of workforce trends, recruitment challenges and future skills needs across the UK building services engineering (BSE) sector.

The report reveals that the UK BSE workforce currently stands at more than 271,000 people across approximately 48,000 businesses. However, employers are reporting growing pressure in recruiting and retaining skilled workers, particularly in installation, maintenance and apprenticeship roles.

Key Findings from the BESA Labour Market Intelligence Report

- 75% of employers say apprentices and trainees are the hardest roles to recruit

- 66% report ongoing shortages of skilled installation and maintenance personnel

- The sector workforce is expected to grow by 11% over the next five years

- Heat pumps, smart buildings and AI-driven technologies are expected to reshape future job roles

- Employers identify digital literacy, training access and ageing workforce challenges as major concerns

- More than half of employers work within heating systems, with growing demand across ventilation, heat pumps and building controls

Supporting the Future of Building Services Engineering

The research will help shape BESA’s future skills planning, training strategy and policy activity, ensuring the sector is better equipped to meet evolving industry demands.

It also provides valuable insight for:

Employers and contractors
Training providers and colleges
Policy makers and regulators
Manufacturers and supply chain partners
Anyone involved in workforce planning, apprenticeships or skills development within the built environment sector

A summary version of the report and key industry insights will be published soon.

However, for those who want to explore the full findings, detailed analysis and sector recommendations now, the complete report is available to download via the form below.

BESA Skills Advisory Service

BESA is committed to providing up to date, clear and impartial advice and guidance to employers and individuals throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The Skills Advisory Service has been set up to assist those within building engineering services and is free of charge to all. Get in touch, we are here to help whether it be about our online courses, apprenticeships, training or recruitment.

Get Advice

Skills Legacy Programme

Addressing the critical shortage of trainers, assessors, and building safety auditors in the Building Services Engineering sector. Through the Skills Legacy Programme, we are recruiting 100 experienced professionals to mentor and develop the next generation of engineers; ensuring the industry's future is built on a foundation of expertise and safety.

Find out more

BESA Academy

BESA Academy is the trusted learning solution for building services engineers. Our comprehensive offering includes regulatory courses, fully funded training programmes, complimentary online CPD, and expert guidance on skills development and training pathways.

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BESA Labour Market Intelligence Report 2026

New Research Reveals Growing Skills Pressure Across the Building Services Engineering Sector

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