CPP vs PCPP — What's the Difference?
Construction Phase Plan vs Pre-Construction Phase Plan — what's the difference, who writes them, and when are they needed? A CDM 2015 guide for contractors.
5 min read
The Simple Answer
- PCPP (Pre-Construction Phase Plan) — written by the Principal Designer before work starts. It covers design risks and high-level planning.
- CPP (Construction Phase Plan) — written by the Principal Contractor (or contractor) during the work. It's the practical H&S plan for the build.
Who Writes What?
| Document | Written By | When |
|---|---|---|
| PCPP | Principal Designer (architect, engineer, or designer) | Before construction starts |
| CPP | Principal Contractor (main contractor or builder) | Before work starts, updated throughout |
What's in a PCPP?
The PCPP (also called the Pre-Construction Information or PCI) includes:
- Description of the project
- Client requirements and management arrangements
- Environmental restrictions (protected species, TPOs, archaeology)
- Existing site hazards (asbestos, contamination, services)
- Design risks and how they'll be managed
- Health and safety file information
It's mostly information — what the contractor needs to know before pricing and starting work.
What's in a CPP?
The CPP is the contractor's practical safety plan:
- Site rules and induction requirements
- Welfare facilities (toilets, drinking water, rest area)
- Emergency procedures (fire, first aid, accident reporting)
- Site-specific risks and controls
- Method statements and RAMS for key activities
- Site layout and traffic management
- Consultation and communication arrangements
- Monitoring and review procedures
It's a working document — you update it as the job progresses.
Do I Need Both?
If the project is notifiable to HSE (>30 working days OR >500 person-days), yes — you need both under CDM 2015.
For smaller projects, you still need a CPP. The PCPP might be as simple as a brief from the client or designer.
Domestic Projects
For domestic clients (homeowner having work done on their own house), CDM 2015 doesn't apply. But you should still write a CPP as good practice — it shows you've thought about safety and protects you if something goes wrong.
Example Scenario
Project: Single-storey rear extension on a domestic property.
- PCPP: Architect provides drawings, notes asbestos in existing garage roof, warns of foul drain running across site.
- CPP: Builder writes a plan covering welfare (portaloo), emergency contacts, site rules, excavation procedure, asbestos removal by licensed contractor before demolition, services location before digging.
The PCPP told the builder what to watch out for. The CPP is the builder's plan for managing those risks.
Ready to sort your compliance?
The Site Book handles RAMS, CPP, site inductions, and everything else. All in one place.
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