Principal Contractor Duties

Got a bit of a headache trying to understand Principal Contractor duties and responsibilities? We’ve got you covered…

March 19, 2024

Principal Contractors are a legal requirement on every construction project with more than one contractor. But let’s face it: despite their significance, there’s a cloud of confusion that often surrounds the role and what it actually involves. 

Just last month, we shared some of the devastating consequences of overlooking Principal Contractor duties – a reminder that the role is far from trivial. However, recognising the gravity of this role is just the tip of the iceberg in understanding exactly what they do. 

With that said, let’s examine some of the most common misconceptions about Principal Contractors…

“A Principal Contractor is only required for notifiable projects” 

This is an incredibly common misconception. However, it can be a very costly one to fall for. 

Prior to the CDM Regulations of 2015, it was indeed the case that Principal Contractors were only required for notifiable projects. 

But what exactly is a notifiable project? These are construction projects that either last more than 30 working days with over 20 workers on-site at any one time or accumulate over 500 person-days. A “person day” reflects a single person’s workday, which means a project with 20 individuals working for 25 days reaches the 500 person-day threshold.

However, things have shifted dramatically since the CDM Regulations of 2015. Now, any project involving more than one contractor, regardless of its duration of scale, requires the engagement of a Principal Contractor. 

This evolution from the 2007 regulations often leads to confusion, with many still under the impression that their project might not require a Principal Contractor unless it hits specific thresholds. 

“A Principal Contractor is just a check box exercise” 

Another misconception is that the role of Principal Contractors is simply a check box exercise. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Principal Contractors are responsible for a wide range of duties, such as ensuring that health and safety regulations are followed, managing resources, and ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.

Without a competent, experienced and effective Principal Contractor, there can be dire consequences. These consequences involve:

  • Workplace injuries and accidents
  • Fatalities
  • Unlimited fines
  • Custodial sentences of up to two years

“Anyone can carry out Principal Contractor duties” 

Finally, the belief that any individual with a background in the construction industry is equipped to serve as a Principal Contractor overlooks the intricate nature and specific demands of different construction projects. 

The reality is that construction projects can vary immensely in terms of scale, complexity, environmental considerations, regulatory requirements, and the specific risks they present. It’s, therefore, very unusual that one contractor would have the specialist skillset and industry experience to act as the Principal Contractor for every type of project. 

Therefore, when selecting a Principal Contractor for your project, we would always recommend choosing a contractor that has a proven track record of successfully overseeing projects similar to yours in terms of scope and complexity. 

As we highlighted last month, choosing the right Prinicpal Contractor is crucial – and not doing so can leave you open to facing potentially devastating consequences. 

Choose pm Connections for your Principal Contractor duties

Are you still unsure whether your project requires a Principal Contractor? Not quite sure what to look for when selecting your contractor? Want further clarification on how they can oversee your project? 

Please get in touch with our team here at pmConnections on 01925 649818 or by emailing us at info@pmconnections.co.uk

Share Article