The RISKS of being a Principle Contractor and Client.....

The RISKS of being a Principle Contractor and Client.....

Author
Discussion

bobo

Original Poster:

1,702 posts

277 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Looks like a big saving on a small development i want to build as opposed to doing it D&B.

What are this risks?

Many thanks


Cerbhd

338 posts

90 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
It depends on your project management skills/experience and the size of the project.
Someone's small is another persons big, ask the wife!!

pghstochaj

2,400 posts

118 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
I think the above responses misunderstand the question.

Get yourself onto a CDM overview course or buy the ACOP. You might also end up being the Principal Designer.

The first point is that you need to be competent to carry out the role.

Busa mav

2,555 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Listen to the previous poster.

Make sure you are properly insured as well , you will also be the main contractor / employer and just pray there isn't an accident on your site.

Cerbhd

338 posts

90 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Didn't 'misunderstand the question' at all, simply saying that if you haven't got the experience or you take on too big a project without that experience, you can get into serious problems.
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
But hey what do I know, go on a quick CDM course and good luck

Busa mav

2,555 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Cerbhd said:
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
That is naieve to say the least.

Elysium

13,755 posts

186 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
bobo said:
Looks like a big saving on a small development i want to build as opposed to doing it D&B.

What are this risks?

Many thanks
The risks are Jail.

The Client must appoint a competent Principal Designer and Principal Contractor. If you appoint yourself and something goes wrong that decision is going to be very difficult to justify if it was purely based on cost savings.

Are you competent enough to perform the duties listed here:

https://www.aisolutions.co.uk/Community/Knowledge/...

How could you prove competence in court if that became necessary? Can you show experience and professional knowledge in this area?

Cerbhd

338 posts

90 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Busa mav said:
Cerbhd said:
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
That is naieve to say the least.
So you don't believe that having experience and knowing the pitfalls of site work reduces risk?

WindyMills

290 posts

152 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
First off, I'm in a bit of a mood - and I realise I will come across as a total dick.

There is no acop to follow - there is HSE guidance L153. Google it, it's free to download. Your duties will be listed there.

A CDM course will give you an overview of CDM.

I'd argue that since you are asking this question - that itself means you probably aren't competent to take on that role.

In practical terms, you run the risk of anything from the HSE inspector deciding you haven't got enough bog roll and charging ~£150/hour for the privilege, right up to the other end of the scale, jail.

I suspect that the initial saving will be wiped out by the time you pay for a consultant to prepare your CPP, RAMS, and get site set up.

How this affects your finance, D&B contract and insurances, I wouldn't know.




227bhp

10,203 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
It's a bit like looking after a whole school full of children on your own after the teachers walked out.

And the dinner ladies.
And the caretaker and Matron too....

Edited by 227bhp on Wednesday 26th October 09:45

Spudler

3,985 posts

195 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
WindyMills said:
I'd argue that since you are asking this question - that itself means you probably aren't competent to take on that role.
This all day long.

Was going to say the exact same thing, but as PH is full of diyers (exceptions know who they are) that think they know the industry inside out...I couldn't be arsed.

roofer

5,136 posts

210 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Principal designer
Pre construction info
CPP
RAM's
Fire Plan

The list is endless, and a minefield for a novice.

Have a free download of the regs and give them a read.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l153.htm

Busa mav

2,555 posts

153 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Cerbhd said:
Busa mav said:
Cerbhd said:
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
That is naieve to say the least.
So you don't believe that having experience and knowing the pitfalls of site work reduces risk?
So we have gone from preventing risk to reducing it now !


Cerbhd said:
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
The OP has no experience and needs to understand what can happen, particularly in the domestic build market.

In a text book / desk bound world you can have all the measures you can dream of in place but you can't teach or buy common sense.



Equus

16,767 posts

100 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Spudler said:
WindyMills said:
I'd argue that since you are asking this question - that itself means you probably aren't competent to take on that role.
This all day long.
Damned right!

Cerbhd

338 posts

90 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Busa mav said:
Cerbhd said:
Busa mav said:
Cerbhd said:
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
That is naieve to say the least.
So you don't believe that having experience and knowing the pitfalls of site work reduces risk?
So we have gone from preventing risk to reducing it now !


Cerbhd said:
Also if you have the experience you wouldn't need to 'pray there isn't an accident on site' as you will take measures to prevent it.
The OP has no experience and needs to understand what can happen, particularly in the domestic build market.

In a text book / desk bound world you can have all the measures you can dream of in place but you can't teach or buy common sense.
Taking measures to prevent risks is a way of reducing risks.
The op has no experience. is exactly what I've been saying since the beginning.
As for the text book comment, this is also what I have been saying, common sense comes from experience.

blueg33

35,574 posts

223 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
You can't prevent a risk, all you can do is reduce a risk. That's what risk assessment is all about.

I am with all of the posters who say "If you have to ask the question then you should not be doing it yourself"

Construction sites are very dangerous places, even the companies with the best processes have accidents/incidents. It makes a lot of sense to pass the risk onto an expert.

As for the metaphor above using a school with no teachers, you need to add in that all of the children are carrying lethal weapons and running around whilst wearing blindfolds"

Busa mav

2,555 posts

153 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
As for the metaphor above using a school with no teachers, you need to add in that all of the children are carrying lethal weapons and running around whilst wearing blindfolds"
biggrinbiggrin

That's not how it happens in a college project though wink