CPP template comparison
The Site Book vs Template.net: CPP Templates Compared
The Site Book generates a site-specific, editable CPP from your project data. This comparison considers Template.net’s downloadable templates, which need project-specific completion; Template.net also offers online editing. Both approaches need a careful review of the actual site arrangements before work starts.
TL;DR
This comparison covers Template.net's downloadable CPP templates, which need project-specific completion. Template.net also offers an online AI Editor. The Site Book generates an editable CPP draft from project information; check every section against the actual site before use.
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What Is a Construction Phase Plan?
A Construction Phase Plan (CPP) is required for construction work in Great Britain under CDM 2015. Where more than one contractor is involved, regulation 12(1) requires the principal contractor to draw up or arrange the plan before setting up the site. On a single-contractor job, regulation 15(5) places that duty on the only contractor. Northern Ireland has separate CDM 2016 rules.
On domestic projects, the homeowner’s client duties generally pass to the contractor on a single-contractor job, or the principal contractor where more than one contractor is involved. Where more than one contractor is involved, a written agreement may instead transfer those client duties to the principal designer. The CPP author duty remains with the only contractor under regulation 15(5), or the principal contractor under regulation 12(1), whether or not the project is notifiable. Regulation 12(4) requires the principal contractor to review, update and revise the plan as work develops. On a single-contractor job, regulation 15(2) requires the contractor to keep planning, managing and monitoring the work, including reviewing the plan as needed.
Regulation 12(2) requires the CPP to set out health and safety arrangements, site rules and specific measures for any applicable Schedule 3 risks. Regulation 15(6) applies those content requirements to a sole-contractor plan. Add project details, contacts, emergency and welfare arrangements where needed to make the plan useful. Review and correct blank or generic content before work starts.
See our guide to the best tools for builders’ paperwork in 2026 for a software comparison, or building control for extensions for practical building-control coordination on domestic extensions.
How Template.net CPP Templates Work
Template.net is a general-purpose document template marketplace. This comparison looks at its downloadable CPP templates in Word or PDF format. Download terms vary; check the current listing. Template.net also offers an online AI Editor, which is a different workflow from editing a downloaded file.
The templates cover common CPP topics: project description, site address, dates, management roles, hazards, emergency contacts and site rules. A downloaded template still needs to be completed and checked for the actual project.
In a downloaded-file workflow, you check and update each copy for its project. Do not assume that a generic file, an online editor or a generated draft already describes the actual site.
A downloaded CPP file does not itself record a worker briefing. If a project wants that record, keep it separately on paper, by email or with a suitable digital tool. A worker signature on the CPP is not a statutory requirement.
How The Site Book Generates Your CPP
The Site Book’s CPP generator works through a project wizard. For a domestic extension, the lightweight wizard asks about site risks, welfare, site rules and who prepared the plan. The full wizard has separate steps for the project team, site management, risk and safety, welfare and emergencies, optional site photos, and final review.
The generator creates an editable CPP draft from the information supplied. Check every section against the actual project, fill any gaps and correct the draft before export.
After reviewing the CPP and completing any required issue checks, you can export its PDF or choose Share → View only for review or View & Sign for an optional recipient signature. This shared-document signature is separate from automatic worker sign-off tasks; keep any actual worker briefing record separately. With Google Drive connected, the latest generated project PDFs can also be exported to a Drive project folder on demand.
For builders managing multiple concurrent projects, The Site Book keeps project documents together. Review the CPP, share or export its PDF, and keep any separate briefing evidence with the project records. 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 The Site Book and Template.net is the starting point. A downloaded template starts with headings to complete, while The Site Book generates an editable draft from project information. Template.net also has an online editor; whichever route you choose, review and correct the result.
A Word template needs project-specific completion. Generic sections left unchanged may fail to describe the actual site; correct them before work starts. A generated plan also needs a project-specific review.
The Site Book populates a draft from wizard answers, so the site details and the proposed arrangements are easy to review and edit before use.
See the guide to RAMS requests and building control for how to establish who requested a document and what they need before revising it.
CDM 2015 Compliance Requirements
In Great Britain, regulation 12(1) requires the principal contractor on a multi-contractor project to draw up or arrange a CPP before setting up the site. Regulation 15(5) puts that duty on the only contractor for a single-contractor project. Regulation 12(2) requires health and safety arrangements, site rules and specific measures for any applicable Schedule 3 risks; regulation 15(6) applies those content requirements to the sole contractor. Regulation 12(4) requires the principal contractor to review, update and revise the plan as the project develops. The sole contractor continues planning, managing and monitoring work under regulation 15(2).
The HSE’s guidance on principal contractor duties makes clear that the CPP must be specific to the project. A downloaded template needs project-specific completion before use.
Where a project meets the F10 thresholds (over 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or over 500 person-days), the client must notify HSE under regulation 6; domestic client duties transfer as described above. The F10 reference can be recorded in the CPP where useful, but it is not a required CPP field. Neither Template.net nor The Site Book files the F10 automatically. Keep any notification record separately; the CPP wizard has no F10 reference field.
Our complete guide to Construction Phase Plans explains CPP contents and the project-specific arrangements to review.
Sharing and Briefing Records
CDM 2015 does not require workers to sign the CPP or prescribe a sign-off method. A project can use paper, email or a digital acknowledgement to record a briefing. Keep a proportionate record of who was briefed, which plan version was used and when. Such a record does not replace the supervision, information and instruction required for the work, or guarantee acceptance by building control or another dutyholder.
A downloaded Template.net CPP file does not itself collect worker acknowledgements. You can keep a separate paper, email or digital briefing record; printing the plan and collecting signatures is optional.
Once the CPP is ready to issue, choose Share → View only for review or View & Sign to invite an optional signature on the shared document. This does not automatically assign worker sign-off tasks or prove anyone was briefed. Record an actual worker briefing separately where useful for the job.
The Site Book vs Template.net for CPP Creation
Pros
- Editable CPP draft from project information — review every section
- Project details and site arrangements captured in the CPP wizard
- CPP can be shared with a View only or optional View & Sign link
- Latest generated project PDFs can be exported to Google Drive on demand
- Wizard has domestic and commercial modes for project details
Cons
- Starter includes one free project; Pro costs £39 monthly or £360/year (£30/month equivalent). Template.net download prices vary
- The Site Book is purpose-built for CDM compliance — not a general-purpose document editor
- Template.net offers more template variety for non-CDM construction documents
| Feature | The Site Book | Template.net |
|---|---|---|
| Site-specific content | Generated draft from project information | Download requires manual completion |
| CDM 2015 wizard | Full commercial + domestic mode | Online editor also available |
| CPP sharing | View only or optional View & Sign link | Download or edit online |
| Project date capture | Project dates in full wizard | Manual entry per document |
| Google Drive archival | On-demand project export | Manual save |
| Cost | Starter: one free project; Pro: £39/mo or £360/yr | Download terms and prices vary; check current listing |
| Signature vs briefing | Optional shared-document signature; record actual briefing separately | Downloaded file needs a separate briefing record |
Draft a site-specific CPP
The Site Book’s wizard gathers project information and generates an editable CPP draft. Check the risks, welfare, site rules and contacts against the actual job before sharing or export.
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 be a starting point. Under CDM 2015 regulation 12(2), adequacy depends on project-specific health and safety arrangements, site rules and any applicable Schedule 3 measures. Regulation 15(6) applies those content requirements on single-contractor jobs. A signature, template or generated plan alone does not establish compliance or building-control approval.
Can a downloaded Template.net CPP collect digital signatures by itself?
A downloaded CPP template does not collect digital signatures by itself. In The Site Book, you can choose Share → View & Sign for a CPP so a recipient can sign the shared document, or View only for review. This optional signature is separate from the automatic worker sign-off tasks used for other document types. Keep any actual worker briefing record separately; CDM 2015 does not require a CPP signature.
What CDM 2015 Regulation 12 sections does The Site Book's CPP cover?
In Great Britain, regulation 12(2) requires the CPP to set out health and safety arrangements, site rules and specific measures for any applicable Schedule 3 work. Regulation 15(6) applies those content requirements to a single-contractor CPP. The wizard also prompts for project and management details, which you should check against the actual site.
How long does it take to create a CPP in The Site Book vs Template.net?
The Site Book's lightweight wizard asks four questions and generates an editable CPP draft. Completing a downloaded Word template also takes project-specific work. Time for either route depends on the job and how much checking and editing the plan needs.
Can I edit generated CPPs in The Site Book?
Yes. The generated CPP is fully editable within The Site Book before you export or share it. You can add custom hazards, adjust site-specific language, and modify emergency contacts. After checking the draft, export its PDF or share it with View only or View & Sign. A recipient can optionally sign the shared CPP; worker briefing records, if needed, are kept separately.
Is Template.net good for commercial CDM projects?
The Template.net downloads considered here offer headings for common CPP topics, but you must complete them for the project. On multi-contractor work, the principal contractor must arrange the plan under regulation 12(1). Its content must meet regulation 12(2), including applicable Schedule 3 measures. F10 notification, where required, is a separate duty under regulation 6.
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
Practical building-control coordination for domestic extensions, including project-document questions.
RAMS Requests and Building Control
Who actually asked for your RAMS, which function the request belongs to, and what to check before you revise anything.
Stop filling in blank CPP templates.
The Site Book generates a site-specific, CDM 2015-aware CPP from a short wizard. Check and edit the draft against your project before sharing it. Starter includes one free project; no credit card required.
Sources
- Construction Phase Plan Template — Template.net — Template.net · Accessed 20 September 2026
- 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
- CDM 2015 Regulation 15 — Duties of contractors — legislation.gov.uk · Accessed 13 September 2026