Construction comes with many different roles and responsibilities, and it isn’t always obvious where one ends and another begins.
Two that can easily cause confusion are the Principal Designer and CDM Advisor. Both can play an important part in helping a project meet its health and safety responsibilities, but what is the difference between a Principal Designer and CDM Advisor?
The key difference? A Principal Designer is a statutory dutyholder under CDM 2015. A CDM Advisor is not.
So, what does each one actually do and when might you need them?
What is a Principal Designer?
Under CDM 2015, where a project involves, or is likely to involve, more than one contractor, the client must appoint a Principal Designer (PD) as well as a Principal Contractor.
The Principal Designer must be a designer with control over the pre-construction phase and have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience and, where an organisation is appointed, the organisational capability to carry out the role.
Their main responsibility is to plan, manage, monitor and coordinate health and safety during the pre-construction phase.
This means working with the project team so that foreseeable risks are considered as the design develops, ensuring designers understand and carry out their CDM duties and aid communication between the client, designers and Principal Contractor.
What is a CDM Advisor?
A CDM Advisor provides advice and practical support to help clients and project teams understand and meet their responsibilities under CDM 2015.
Unlike the Principal Designer, CDM Advisor is not a statutory dutyholder role under the Regulations, so the services provided can be tailored to the needs of the client and project.
This might include advising a client on their CDM duties, assisting with Pre-Construction Information, reviewing Construction Phase Plans, undertaking site inspections, supporting F10 notifications, reviewing design risk information or helping compile the Health and Safety File.
A CDM Advisor can therefore provide valuable additional expertise and support – but appointing one does not replace the need for a Principal Designer where CDM 2015 requires one.
Principal Designer vs CDM Advisor: What's the Difference?
Although there can be some overlap in the work undertaken, the fundamental difference is the responsibility attached to the role. A Principal Designer is formally appointed by the client and has specific legal duties for managing and coordinating health and safety during the pre-construction phase. A CDM Advisor provides professional advice and support within an agreed scope but does not automatically take on those Principal Designer duties.
Can You Have Both?
Yes. Depending on the project, a client may benefit from both Principal Designer and CDM advisory support. Where possible, the same competent organisation may be able to provide both services.
What matters is that everyone understands who has been appointed to do what, and that the appropriate CDM dutyholders are in place from the outset.
Principal Designer Services from Safety CDM
Safety CDM can now act as Principal Designer under CDM 2015, alongside our established CDM Advisor services.
Our Principal Designer service provides practical support throughout the pre-construction phase, helping to manage design risk, coordinate designers and maintain clear communication between the client, design team and Principal Contractor.
🔗 Find out more about our Principal Designer service and how we can support your project.
Need a Principal Designer for your next project?
Get in touch with Safety CDM to discuss your project and how we can support you.
✔ Construction Phase Plans
✔ Risk Assessments & Method Statements
✔ Pre-Construction Information
✔ Site Audits
✔ Health & Safety Files
✔ Construction Management Plans
✔ NEW CDM Principal Designer
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Safety CDM Ltd act as our CDM Principal Designer?
Yes. We are fully insured and can be appointed as the CDM Principal Designer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Is this different from the Building Safety Act Principal Designer?
Yes. This service relates specifically to the CDM 2015 Principal Designer role. It is separate from the Principal Designer dutyholder role under the Building Regulations.
Can Safety CDM provide both Principal Designer and CDM Advisor services?
Yes. We can provide CDM Advisor support or undertake the statutory Principal Designer role, depending on the needs of your project.
When does a project need a Principal Designer?
A Principal Designer must be appointed where a construction project involves, or is likely to involve, more than one contractor. The appointment must be made in writing by the client.
