Just recd an email from architect saying I need a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor for my project

[-rick-]

Until this thread I hadn't looked at the BSA side of this (have previously looked at the CDM/HSE side).

 

After some looking around it appears the following document is referred to as the way to assess competence for this role:

 

https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/insights/brochures/pas-8672-framework-for-competence-of-individual-principal-contractors/

 

I downloaded it and it's pretty big, obviously not aimed at self builds.

[JohnMo]

1 hour ago, -rick- said:

Possess a thorough understanding of construction processes, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.

You do not need to be a master builder, plumber, electrician, etc etc. you need to have an overview what is being done, why and jointly assess risks with technical experts (trades).

 

Also if you can't meets 4, you can't do 2 for example.

 

Each discipline is the expert, they are called in at appropriate times. You discuss what there plan is; do they need other resources to be provided, i.e. scaffolding in not there or in the way. If the electrician wants to go live you make sure, with him it's safe to do so.

 

If you can't assess, if your competent - good chance you are not. So get someone in.

Edited 11 hours ago by JohnMo

[saveasteading]

48 minutes ago, WannabeBob said:

if you’re self building and not in the industry, realistically you need a main builder. 

Interesting.

It's a good point about the difference between building regs and safety. They shouldn't use the same term.

 

I'd say that competence is required rather than expertise. A lot is common sense.

For building regs it is a contact point and reasonable site management.

 

For safety, a lot can be learnt from hse leaflets, all on line. Eg does the first time self builder know about ladder use?

Does a seasoned builder know it, or care?

 

But it is a serious matter and safety should not be shrugged off.

[WannabeBob]

33 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

 

If you can't assess, if your competent - good chance you are not. So get someone in.

 

Yeah, it sounds like as a self builder unless you’re in the industry, you’ve done it before, or have dedicated enough research or training to assume competency, you’re far more limited in options. 

 

My initial plan of hiring individual trades and doing some non critical bits myself are quickly evaporating. 

[WannabeBob]

1 minute ago, saveasteading said:

For safety, a lot can be learnt from hse leaflets, all on line. Eg does the first time self builder know about ladder use?

Does a seasoned builder know it, or care?

 

But it is a serious matter and safety should not be shrugged off.

With the CDM/HSE aspect, I was just going to stage it such that it was clear who was in control of that phase, i.e. ground works and foundation by the ground works crew, trying not to overlap trades etc.

 

But the BRPC roles require explicit handing over from previous to next appointment, and the new BRPC needs to review the previous stages - not something an electrician would care for?!

[saveasteading]

I'm not going to discourage you engaging someone to do this for you. However don't assume that they will be good at it, or that you won't. Splitting the job up and getting risk assessments from each trade is a simple start. 

Even on big projects I tried to do this as the greatest risk was the interfaces between different trades.

[JohnMo]

28 minutes ago, WannabeBob said:

My initial plan of hiring individual trades and doing some non critical bits myself are quickly evaporating.

There is no reason for them to evaporate. Read, read a lot more. Building a house, isn't rocket science. You do one thing at a time step by step. We did ours during COVID, so made it easy to have single trades on site, because it was that or nothing. 

 

I revised and made sense of drawing most days, to make things easy for the trades. Using nothing fancy, just PDF editing. This helped us as client, make design decisions easier and ahead of the obvious question coming. Most important job, is being a dog's body tidy up after everyone has gone home, get rid of trip hazards, litter etc. double check what's been done is to your satisfaction.

 

But you are there to answer questions, without them being answered in a timely manner means delay.

[WannabeBob]

Thanks! Yeah I’m going to be doing a whole lot more reading and researching, and maybe I can then convince myself I’m competent 🫡