Principal Management Services
Commercial & Residential
CDM advisory, site safety inspections, and sub-contractor compliance for commercial new builds, residential developments, and refurbishment projects across the UK.
Our Experience in This Sector
Commercial and residential construction covers some of the most varied H&S challenges in the industry — from high-rise residential developments under the Building Safety Act 2022 to occupied office refurbishments where the public are on the floor above the works. We have worked across new builds, refurbishments, and fit-outs in this sector, providing CDM advisory, site inspections, and sub-contractor compliance support.
Sector-Specific H&S Challenges
- Working at height — from scaffold on new build frames to MEWPs on fit-outs, falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injury in construction. Work at Height Regulations compliance, scaffold inspections, and edge protection management are central to safe delivery in this sector.
- Asbestos on refurbishment projects — any pre-2000 building may contain asbestos-containing materials. CDM pre-construction information must address the asbestos register, survey findings, and management plan. We ensure this is in place before construction begins.
- Public interface and site boundaries — commercial and residential projects in occupied areas require robust pedestrian management, hoarding, and public protection measures. This is a CDM Principal Designer responsibility we take seriously.
- Building Safety Act 2022 implications — residential buildings of 7 storeys or more, or 18 metres or above, are Higher-Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act. We provide Building Regulations Principal Designer appointments under separate letters from CDM appointments, with Gateway submission support for applicable projects.
- Multi-trade sub-contractor management — commercial fit-outs and refurbishments involve high sub-contractor density in constrained spaces. We support principal contractors with RAMS review, supply chain vetting, and CDM compliance auditing.
How We Help
For commercial and residential developers, we provide CDM advisory and Principal Designer support from the design phase through to handover. For principal contractors, our site safety inspections, scaffold inspections, and sub-contractor compliance services provide the independent oversight that reduces risk and supports accreditation.
Our CDM advisory distinguishes clearly between CDM 2015 Principal Designer appointments and Building Regulations Principal Designer appointments — with separate written letters for each — which is essential on residential projects where the Building Safety Act creates additional liability.