Builders · Safety and insurance

Insurance, safety (CDM 2015) and waste

These are the duties that apply to you whoever the client is. They protect you too.

Information, not legal advice. This guide explains official rules in plain words for England, with links to the sources. Rules change and every job is different, so check the source or get advice for your situation. Last checked 24 October 2026.

Employers' liability insurance

Most businesses with employees must have employers' liability insurance, covering at least £5 million, from an authorised insurer. You can be fined £2,500 for every day you are not properly insured. Some exemptions apply, for example for some family businesses (GOV.UK).

Homeowners are also advised to ask builders about public liability insurance (Citizens Advice). Having the certificate ready helps you win work.

CDM 2015 and domestic clients

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to domestic projects too. For a domestic client, the client duties normally pass to (reg. 7; HSE):

• the contractor, on a single-contractor project
• the principal contractor, where there is more than one contractor
• the principal designer, if there is a written agreement for them to take on the client duties

HSE says that in practice this should involve little more than what contractors normally do to manage health and safety risks (HSE). This includes a construction phase plan before work starts.

Gas and electrical work

Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer (Citizens Advice; Gas Safe Register). Notifiable electrical work needs building regulations compliance, often through a competent person scheme (GOV.UK).

Waste

Construction and demolition waste is business waste. You must complete a waste transfer note for each load that leaves your site, check your waste carrier is registered, and register as a waste carrier yourself if you regularly carry your own waste (GOV.UK). Homeowners are told to check that whoever takes their waste is registered (GOV.UK), so expect them to ask. The public register is on the Environment Agency site.