Do I Need RAMS for a Small Domestic Job?
Confused about whether you need a Risk Assessment and Method Statement for small domestic work? Here's the plain-English answer.
4 min read
TL;DR
Usually yes if construction work is being done by a contractor, but it should be proportionate. UK law does not use RAMS as a one-size-fits-all document name for every small domestic job. Contractors still need to assess the risks, plan the work, brief workers, and record the controls clearly enough for the job. A short, site-specific RAMS is the normal written proof when there are real hazards, subcontractors, client requests, or principal contractor checks.
Direct answer: do small domestic jobs need RAMS?
Usually yes, if the work is construction work being carried out by a contractor, but the RAMS should be proportionate to the job. There is no single CDM rule that says every small domestic job must have a long formal document called a RAMS pack. However, contractors and self-employed trades still need to assess the risks, plan how the work will be controlled, and make sure workers understand the safe method.
For a simple low-risk task, that record may be short. For work at height, structural alterations, hot works, electrical work, asbestos risk, silica dust, excavations, hazardous substances, or multiple trades, a written site-specific RAMS is normally the clearest evidence that the risks and method have been thought through before work starts.
On domestic projects, CDM 2015 duties do not disappear because the client is a homeowner. For single-contractor projects, domestic client duties usually pass to the contractor. Where more than one contractor is involved, they usually pass to the principal contractor. This article is general guidance for UK construction paperwork, not legal advice.
The Site Book for domestic RAMS and pricing
The Site Book helps UK small builders create site-specific RAMS, Construction Phase Plans, COSHH records, site inductions, toolbox talks, worker sign-offs, and audit-pack exports from one project record.
Current pricing is Starter £0, Pro £39/month or £360/year, and Business £99/month. The optional setup service is £249 one-off and is not a subscription.
Start with the free RAMS generator for a domestic job, compare the current The Site Book pricing plans, or read the CDM 2015 guide for small builders for the wider duties around planning, supervision, and records.
What Are RAMS?
RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. It's a combined document that:
- Lists the hazards involved in a job
- Describes the steps you'll take to control those risks
- Sets out the sequence of work so everyone knows what they're doing
You've probably seen them on bigger sites. But they're just as useful on a two-person domestic job.
When Are RAMS Legally Required?
Under CDM 2015, there's no hard threshold that says "jobs over X days need RAMS." But the rules do apply broadly:
- All construction work has a duty to manage health and safety
- If you employ anyone (including subcontractors), you have a legal duty to assess and control risks
- For notifiable projects (those lasting more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or exceeding 500 person-days), a full Construction Phase Plan is required — RAMS feed into that
So on a small domestic job with just you and a mate? No one's going to knock on your door and ask for a RAMS document. But if something goes wrong and it ends up in front of the HSE, having written evidence that you thought about the risks will work strongly in your favour.
The Practical Reason to Write RAMS Anyway
Beyond legal cover, there's a simple business reason: clients are increasingly asking for them.
Homeowners doing an extension often have insurance policies or mortgage lenders requiring contractors to have documented risk assessments. Letting agents and estate managers almost always ask. If you can produce a clean RAMS document in 10 minutes, you look professional and you win jobs.
What Should a RAMS Include for Domestic Work?
Even for smaller jobs, a good RAMS covers:
- Job description — what you're doing, where, when
- Key hazards — working at height, dust, electrical, manual handling, confined spaces if relevant
- Control measures — PPE, safe systems of work, segregation from occupants
- Sequence of work — how the job will be done, step by step
- Emergency arrangements — first aid, site contacts, nearest A&E
You don't need a 20-page document for a bathroom refit. A two-page RAMS is fine. The point is that you've thought it through.
The Bottom Line
You're not always legally required to produce RAMS for small domestic work. But:
- It protects you if something goes wrong
- It helps you win jobs from professional clients
- It takes 10 minutes with the right tool
The Site Book generates RAMS in minutes — just answer a few questions about your job and it handles the rest. Try it free →
Ready to sort your compliance?
The Site Book handles RAMS, CPP, site inductions, and everything else. All in one place.
Try The Site Book →Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need RAMS for a small domestic job?
There is not one blanket CDM rule that every small domestic job must have a long document called a RAMS pack. But if you are a contractor or self-employed trade doing construction work, you still need to assess the risks, plan the safe method, brief workers, and keep records that are proportionate to the risk. A short site-specific RAMS is often the clearest written evidence, especially for work at height, structural work, electrical work, hazardous substances, asbestos risk, silica dust, excavations, hot works, subcontractors, or client and principal contractor checks.
How much does The Site Book cost for domestic RAMS?
Starter is £0, Pro is £39/month or £360/year, and Business is £99/month. The optional setup service is £249 one-off and is not a subscription.
Does The Site Book replace competent health and safety advice?
No. The Site Book helps create and organise construction compliance documents, but the contractor still needs to review the RAMS for the real site, workers, sequence, and hazards. It is not a replacement for competent judgement, legal advice, supervision, or a site-specific review before work starts.