Principal Designer Building Regulations Service

Why Appoint a PDBR?

Appointing a Principal Designer under the Building Regulations (PDBR) is a key step in ensuring your project is, planned, managed and delivered in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

Do You Need a PD and a PDBR?

On many projects, you will need to appoint two separate roles, a Principal Designer under CDM and a Principal Designer under the Building Regulations. While the titles are similar, their legal duties are distinct:

The same individual or organisation can fulfil both roles, provided they hold the necessary competence and are formally appointed to each role separately. The duties under each piece of legislation remain distinct regardless.

When Must a PDBR be Appointed?

Under the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended by the Building Safety Act 2022), a client must appoint a Principal Designer under the Building Regulations (PDBR) where all of the following apply:

• The construction work is subject to compliance with the Building Regulations or Building Control approval
• There is more than one contractor involved in the project
• Design work is being carried out that could affect compliance with the Building Regulations

Types of Work That Typically Require a PDBR

• New buildings — any new construction requiring Building Control approval
• Extensions — additions to existing buildings
• Structural alterations — changes affecting the structural integrity of a building
• Material changes of use — where a building is being repurposed in a way that triggers new regulatory requirements
• Refurbishments and fit-outs — where the works are required to comply with the Building Regulations

When Should the Appointment Be Made?

For a Non-HRB project, legally the appointment must be made for construction work starts on site, but ideally the client should appoint the PDBR before design work begins, or as soon as it becomes clear that the project will involve more than one contractor. Early appointment allows the PDBR to:

• Ensure all designers understand their obligations under the Building Regulations
• Establish clear lines of communication and accountability across the design team
• Influence key design decisions, that may affect building regulations compliance  from the start
• Identify and manage compliance risks before they become costly problems

Important: If a PDBR has not been appointed and the conditions are met, the client (except domestic) themselves takes on the duties of the PDBR by default – making early appointment all the more critical.

How We Can Help

We offer both Principal Designer under the Building Regulations (PDBR) and Principal Designer (CDM) services across a wide range of projects, with competent and experienced team members who are fully equipped to undertake either or both roles.

Our team understands the demands of the Building Safety Act and the responsibilities that come with each appointment. We work closely with clients, designers, and contractors to ensure that both Health and Safety and Building Regulations compliance are properly planned, managed, and monitored throughout the design phase, giving you confidence that your project is in safe hands.

We can support your project in the following ways:

• PD BR only — where you require a standalone appointment to manage Building Regulations compliance during the design phase
• Principal Designer (CDM) only — where you need health and safety coordination during the pre-construction phase
• Both PDBR and PD (CDM) — where a single, competent appointment covers both roles, providing a streamlined and joined-up approach to compliance

Whatever your project requires, we have the expertise and the people to support you from the earliest stages of design through to completion.