CPP template comparison
The Site Book vs Template.net: CPP Templates Compared
BuildHer generates a site-specific, editable CPP directly from your project data. Template.net offers static Word or PDF downloads that require manual population for every job. For CDM 2015 compliance on live UK sites, the AI-generated CPP is faster and less likely to have blank sections that fail audit.
TL;DR
Template.net offers static CPP Word/PDF downloads that need manual editing for every job. BuildHer generates a site-specific, editable CPP from a short wizard — captures project dates, hazards, and emergency contacts automatically. For CDM 2015 compliance on live UK sites, the AI-generated approach is faster and more audit-ready.
In this guide
What Is a Construction Phase Plan?
A Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is a document required under CDM 2015 Regulation 12 for any construction project in the UK. It sets out how health and safety will be managed during the construction phase — from project start date to handover. Every principal contractor must produce one before work begins on site.
For domestic projects where the homeowner is the client, the contractor automatically takes on the client’s CDM duties, which includes producing a CPP. On commercial or notifiable projects, the principal contractor produces the CPP and must keep it updated throughout the build.
The CPP must cover: the project description and management structure, health and safety arrangements, site rules, emergency procedures, and welfare facilities. A CPP that leaves any of these sections blank or generic risks rejection by building control or the principal designer.
See our guide to the best tools for builders’ paperwork in 2026 for a full comparison of software options, or building control for extensions for what inspectors specifically look for in a submitted CPP.
How Template.net CPP Templates Work
Template.net is a general-purpose document template marketplace. It offers a range of CPP templates in Word and PDF format, typically priced between free and a few dollars for premium downloads. You download the file, open it in Word or a PDF editor, and fill in the blanks.
The templates cover the structural sections required by CDM 2015: project name and description, site address, start and end dates, management roles, hazard identification, emergency contacts, and site rules. The content of each section is blank or contains generic placeholder text.
For a builder working through multiple domestic projects per month, this means re-entering the same information — site address, emergency contacts, hazard list — for every job. There is no wizard, no pre-population, and no version control. Each CPP is a standalone document with no link to the project, the client, or any other compliance paperwork.
Template.net does not provide digital signature functionality. Workers cannot sign the CPP from their phone. There is no audit trail beyond the signed printed copy. For projects where the principal designer requests evidence of worker sign-off, the builder must manage this separately.
How BuildHer Generates Your CPP
BuildHer’s CPP generator works through a project wizard. For a domestic extension, the wizard asks four questions: project address, start date, end date, and client name. For commercial or notifiable projects, the wizard adds sections for management structure, principal designer, sub-contractors, and site-specific hazard categories.
The AI then generates a site-specific CPP pre-populated with the answers. Project dates, the site address, emergency contact defaults, and a hazard list relevant to the declared project type are all inserted automatically. You can review and edit every section before export.
Once complete, the CPP is exported as a PDF and a digital sign-off link is generated. Workers open the link on their phone, read the CPP, and sign with a finger or stylus. The signed PDF is timestamped and stored in Google Drive automatically. The builder gets a notification when every worker on the list has signed.
For builders managing multiple concurrent projects, BuildHer keeps every CPP in one dashboard. You can see which workers have signed, which CPPs are pending review, and export an audit pack for any project in one click. The scheduling and financial management guide covers how the project wizard integrates with Xero and the broader workflow.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The key difference between BuildHer and Template.net is the starting point. Template.net gives you a blank form — you supply all the content. BuildHer gives you a populated document — you review and adjust.
For a builder who knows their project inside out, filling in a Word template takes 30–60 minutes if done properly. The risk is that generic sections get left unchanged — “hazards relevant to this project” stays as placeholder text because the builder is time-pressured. That is the blank-section problem that building control and principal designers flag during audits.
BuildHer’s wizard makes it structurally harder to leave sections blank because the AI populates them from your wizard answers. The 5–10 minute wizard forces you to engage with the project-specific content — not just to navigate past it.
See the guide to RAMS rejected by building control for more on how blank and generic sections cause rejections — the same pattern applies to CPPs.
CDM 2015 Compliance Requirements
CDM 2015 Regulation 12 requires the principal contractor to prepare a CPP before the construction phase begins and to keep it updated as the project develops. The regulation sets out the minimum required content but does not prescribe a format — which is why both a Word template and a software-generated document can satisfy the legal requirement.
The HSE’s guidance on principal contractor duties makes clear that the CPP must be specific to the project — not a generic document that could describe any site. This is the standard that Template.net Word templates struggle to meet without significant manual effort.
For notifiable projects (over 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or over 500 person-days), the CPP must also reference the F10 notification number. Neither Template.net templates nor BuildHer will automatically file the F10 — but BuildHer’s wizard prompts for the F10 reference and inserts it into the CPP automatically once entered.
Our complete guide to Construction Phase Plans covers every Regulation 12 requirement in detail.
Digital Sign-Off and Audit Trails
CDM 2015 does not specify how workers must sign the CPP — ink signature, email confirmation, or digital sign-off are all acceptable. What matters is that you can prove workers were briefed on the CPP before starting work. In practice, building control and principal designers are increasingly asking for timestamped digital records rather than a paper sheet that could have been signed by anyone at any time.
Template.net CPP templates have no built-in mechanism for collecting worker sign-off. You would need to print the document, circulate it on site, collect wet signatures, and then scan or photograph the signed page for your records. This takes time and creates a gap in the audit trail — if the signed page is lost, you have no evidence of briefing.
BuildHer generates a per-worker sign-off link. Each worker receives the link, opens it on their phone, reviews the CPP, and signs. The signed PDF is generated automatically with the worker’s name, timestamp, and IP address recorded. The document is stored in Google Drive and linked to the project in the BuildHer dashboard. If a principal designer or building control officer requests proof of sign-off, you share the link — no searching through site folders.
BuildHer vs Template.net for CPP Creation
Pros
- Site-specific content populated automatically from wizard answers — no blank fields
- Project start/end dates, hazards, and emergency contacts captured once and reused
- Digital worker sign-off from phone — no printing required
- Signed CPP stored in Google Drive automatically
- Wizard covers both domestic (4 questions) and full commercial CDM 2015 requirements
Cons
- BuildHer requires a subscription (from £30/mo) — Template.net downloads are free or low-cost
- BuildHer is purpose-built for CDM compliance — not a general-purpose document editor
- Template.net offers more template variety for non-CDM construction documents
| Feature | BuildHer | Template.net |
|---|---|---|
| Site-specific content | AI-generated from wizard | Blank template — manual fill |
| CDM 2015 wizard | Full commercial + domestic mode | No wizard — Word/PDF only |
| Digital signatures | Worker sign-off from phone | Not supported |
| Project date capture | Start/end dates in wizard | Manual entry per document |
| Google Drive archival | Automatic on sign-off | Manual save |
| Cost | From £30/mo subscription | Free or one-off download |
| Audit trail | Signed PDF + timestamp | None — print and sign only |
“I used to spend 45 minutes filling in a CPP template from scratch for every domestic job. Now the wizard asks four questions and I've got a signed CPP in the client's inbox before I leave site.”
Generate a site-specific CPP in 5 minutes
The Site Book’s CPP wizard captures your project dates, hazards, and emergency contacts — then generates a CDM 2015-compliant CPP ready for digital sign-off. No blank fields. No generic placeholder text.
See how it works →Frequently asked questions
Is a free CPP template from Template.net sufficient for CDM 2015 compliance?
A free Word template can satisfy CDM 2015 requirements if you fill in all the required fields correctly — site address, project duration, hazards identified, emergency procedures, and competent person sign-off. The risk is blank or generic sections, which building control and principal designers flag during audits. A site-specific CPP generated from actual project data is harder to challenge.
Can Template.net CPP templates capture digital worker signatures?
No. Template.net CPP templates are Word or PDF downloads. Digital signature collection requires a separate tool. BuildHer includes digital sign-off: workers receive a link, sign on their phone, and the signed PDF is stored automatically.
Does BuildHer's CPP comply with CDM 2015 Regulation 12?
Yes. BuildHer's CPP wizard covers the requirements of Regulation 12 of CDM 2015: project description, management structure, health and safety arrangements, site rules, emergency procedures, and arrangements for welfare. The full commercial wizard adds principal contractor and sub-contractor management sections.
How long does it take to create a CPP in BuildHer vs Template.net?
For a domestic extension, BuildHer's 4-question wizard takes 5–10 minutes to complete and generates a site-specific CPP immediately. Filling in a Template.net Word template for the same job typically takes 30–60 minutes if you're doing it properly — longer if you're adapting generic hazard language to the specific site.
Can I edit the CPP BuildHer generates?
Yes. The generated CPP is fully editable within BuildHer before you export or share it. You can add custom hazards, adjust site-specific language, and modify emergency contacts. Once you're satisfied, export as PDF or share a digital sign-off link.
Is Template.net good for commercial CDM projects?
Template.net offers Word/PDF templates that cover the structural sections required by CDM 2015, but they are not pre-populated and do not include a commercial management structure wizard. For notifiable projects where the principal contractor role requires detailed documentation, a purpose-built tool reduces the risk of missed sections.
Related guides
What Is a Construction Phase Plan?
Plain-English guide to CPPs: what they are, who needs one, and what goes in them.
Building Control for Extensions
What building control inspectors check on domestic extensions — including CPP format.
RAMS Rejected by Building Control
The six most common rejection reasons and the fixes that get documents signed off fast.
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The Site Book generates a site-specific, CDM 2015-compliant CPP from a short wizard — pre-populated with your project dates, hazards, and emergency contacts. Digital sign-off included. No credit card required.
Sources
- CDM 2015: Construction Phase Plan — The Site Book — The Site Book · Accessed 21 April 2026
- Construction Phase Plan — HSE Guidance — Health and Safety Executive · Accessed 21 April 2026
- CDM 2015 Regulation 12 — Construction Phase Plan — legislation.gov.uk · Accessed 21 April 2026