If you’re planning a building project, whether it’s a home extension in Norwich, a new build in Suffolk, or a commercial development in Norfolk, understanding your responsibilities under the Building Safety Act is essential. This act brings stricter rules to ensure buildings are built safer, and there is a golden thread of responsibility when delivering construction projects.
Why This Matters for Homeowners, Developers and Commerical Clients
These rules help homeowners looking at single-storey extensions, bungalow refurbishments, or rural conversions ensure their projects are safe and meet proper standards. The stakes for developers and commercial clients in Norfolk and Suffolk are even higher, especially when working on larger or more complex builds.
If you’re working on a building over 18m high (about six storeys), fire safety and structural risk management are even more stringent requirements. These high-risk buildings face closer scrutiny to ensure they’re safe for the long term.
Your Responsibilities
Whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial client, here’s what you need to do:
Provide Key Information
Share important details about your property with those working on your project. This includes things like existing plans or past building reports.
Appoint Qualified Professionals
You need to hire competent designers, builders, and other contractors. These experts must be capable of completing the work safely and in line with regulations.
Ensure Health and Safety Compliance
As the project owner, you must make sure that work is carried out safely. This might include checking that your builders follow site safety rules.
Support Your Project Team
Help your contractors and architectural designers by giving them the information they need to comply with their own duties under the law.
Key Duty Holders
Clients
Domestic Client
Domestic clients, under the Building Safety Act 2022, are individuals commissioning construction work for personal use, such as home renovations or extensions. They are not acting as part of a business and are not expected to have technical expertise.
You must also support your project team by providing the resources they need to meet their duties. If you don't manage these responsibilities, they automatically pass to the principal designer or contractor. This ensures all projects, from home extensions to new builds in Norfolk and Suffolk, meet legal safety standards.
Commercial Client
Commercial clients commission construction work as part of a business activity, such as property development or office renovations. They have explicit duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the Building Safety Act, including appointing competent professionals, allocating sufficient resources, and managing health and safety risks throughout the project. Commercial clients are expected to actively oversee compliance, ensuring the project team has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver the work safely and effectively.
Principal Designer
If appointed, the principal designer (often an architect or design professional) takes responsibility for planning, managing, and coordinating health and safety during the design phase. They must ensure that risks are identified and mitigated, and that safety considerations are integrated into the project’s design.
Principal Contractor
For construction projects with more than one contractor, the principal contractor becomes responsible for managing health and safety on-site during the build. They ensure workers follow regulations and manage risks associated with the construction work.
Why It Matters
Following these rules isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about making sure your project runs smoothly and safely. Whether you’re building a new home in Suffolk or extending a bungalow in Norfolk, hiring the right professionals and staying on top of your responsibilities means fewer risks, fewer delays, and a better end result.
If you’d like expert advice on your project, working with an experienced architectural designer is a great first step. They’ll help you navigate these regulations and create a safe, well-designed space that stands the test of time.
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