Episode 115 - CDM Principal Designer

This episode explores the role, responsibilities, appointment, and conclusion of service for the CDM (Construction Design and Management) Principal Designer, particularly within the UK architectural context. It begins by clarifying who can assume the role, emphasizing the need for relevant design experience and the option to subcontract the role while retaining legal responsibility. The discussion then pivots to the appointment process, highlighting the importance of early engagement and a clearly defined brief, recommending the use of standard forms like the APS or RIBA contracts. More significantly, the episode details the Principal Designer's key duties, including assisting with pre-construction information, preparing the health and safety file, and liaising with the Principal Contractor. The episode further clarifies the differences in responsibilities on commercial versus domestic projects, noting that on domestic projects, the designer often defaults to the CDM Principal Designer role if no formal appointment is made. The episode concludes by outlining the Principal Designer's responsibilities at the end of their appointment, including handing over relevant project information and advising the client on procuring a competent Principal Contractor, and includes a scenario to contextualize the information.