What is a Construction Phase Plan (CPP) and Do I Need One?

If you've been asked to provide a Construction Phase Plan (CPP) — or you've heard the term and wondered what it means — this guide is for you.

What Is a Construction Phase Plan?

A Construction Phase Plan is a document required under the CDM Regulations 2015 (Construction Design and Management). It sets out how health and safety will be managed throughout the build.

Think of it as a safety roadmap for the project: who's responsible for what, what the key risks are, and how they'll be controlled from the first day on site to handover.

Who Needs to Write One?

Under CDM 2015, a CPP is required on every construction project — not just large commercial ones. The key duty holder is the Principal Contractor (or the contractor, if there's only one).

For most small domestic projects:

• If it's just you working alone: You still need to manage health and safety, but the paperwork requirements are lighter
• If you're managing other contractors: You're likely acting as Principal Contractor and a formal CPP is required
• If the project is notifiable (over 30 working days with 20+ simultaneous workers, or over 500 person-days): The CPP must be prepared before construction starts and shared with the Principal Designer

For most sole traders doing domestic work, a short, practical CPP is sufficient. You don't need a 40-page corporate document.

What Does a CPP Need to Include?

The HSE's guidance says a CPP should be proportionate to the project. For a domestic job, a basic CPP covers:

1. 1Project description — address, client details, description of work, start and end dates
2. 2Management of the work — who's in charge of H&S on site, how decisions are made
3. 3Arrangements for managing significant site risks — working at height, excavations, asbestos, services
4. 4Site rules — hours of work, welfare, deliveries, access for residents
5. 5Emergency procedures — first aid, fire, accident reporting
6. 6Communication — how contractors/subcontractors will be briefed

That's it for most domestic jobs. Proportionality is the watchword.

What's the Difference Between RAMS and a CPP?

Good question:

• RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) covers a specific task or trade — it's task-level
• CPP covers the whole project — it's site-level

On bigger jobs, individual RAMS documents feed into the overall CPP. On smaller domestic jobs, they often cover similar ground in different formats.

Can I Generate a CPP Quickly?

Yes. The Site Book generates lightweight Construction Phase Plans designed for domestic and small commercial work. Answer a few questions about your project and you'll have a compliant, professional CPP in minutes.

Generate a CPP for your project →