Main Contractor Roles and Responsibilities for Developers

Table of Contents

• Main Contractor Role Introduction for Developers
• Main Contractor Roles and Responsibilities
• Principal Contractor Responsibilities Under CDM 2015
• Importance of a Main Contractor
• Duties Checklist
• Competence and Resources
• Construction Phase Plan
• Planning and Managing the Construction Process
• Welfare Facilities and Site Rules
• Collaboration and Communication
• Monitoring and Compliance
• Pre-Construction Phase and Information
• Legal Responsibility and Safety Regulations
• Stages of Construction
• Cooperation Between Contractors
• Safety Responsibilities
• Final Word

Main Contractor Role Introduction for Developers

It is becoming more common for developers to take the reins on all aspects of a project and assume the role of main contractor. However, as developers aren’t by name nor nature main contractors, they sometimes lack the experience and resources required to be consistently successful and efficient. This highlights the importance of understanding main contractor roles and responsibilities. This is not to say that it’s all bad, but as with everything in life, there are definitely some areas for improvement. Namely, the quality of information and how this information is managed throughout the life of the project is really important.

The construction industry has a reputation for being quite traditional and perhaps slightly behind the times, but in reality, it is fast-moving and increasingly more process-driven. For example, when tendering for a project, price used to be the most important factor, yet now the quality section (which can include questions on sustainability, health and safety, and HR practices) is in some cases as important, if not more important, than the price. This highlights a shift in the wider industry and reinforces the responsibility of a main contractor or any organisation that assumes the role to have a positive impact on everything that they do.

Developers are essentially an entity that constructs, redevelops, or refurbishes buildings to make a profit. Often because of their economic motivation, efficiencies fall to the wayside. Yet, it must be remembered that efficiencies can actually drive profits higher and result in happier investors. Essentially, although on the surface it might look like a big investment to set up a project like a main contractor, it can actually result in better profit margins, satisfied clients, and a happier project team who are more likely to want to work with you again.

Here are six places where a developer (or any other entity) acting as a main contractor can make some easy changes, ensuring they fully understand main contractor roles and responsibilities:

• Appointing consultants
• Setting a procurement schedule
• Having a robust construction programme
• Creating an information release schedule
• Creating a construction phase plan
• Creating a risk register

Who is a Contractor?
In construction, a contractor is an organisation or sometimes a person hired by the client to complete the necessary work for a project. Contractors are essential in coordinating various trades and managing the workforce. Since contractors may not possess all the expertise needed, they often appoint subcontractors for specific tasks, leading to the involvement of multiple subcontractors in a project.

Contractors have varying levels of responsibilities and are accountable for a broad range of tasks. This article delves into the different responsibilities of a contractor, particularly focusing on the role of a general contractor.

Main Contractor Roles and Responsibilities

Main contractors (also known as General contractors) play a crucial role in the successful execution of construction projects. They are responsible for numerous details, including finding the right people for the job and managing the overall workflow. Here are some key responsibilities:

• Building Permits Application: Ensuring all necessary permits are obtained before starting construction.
• Property Security: Safeguarding the construction site.
• Providing Facilities: Setting up temporary facilities for workers.
• Waste Management: Handling the disposal of construction waste.
• On-Site Personnel Management: Supervising on-site workers and subcontractors.
• Site Surveying and Engineering: Ensuring accurate site measurements and structural engineering.
• Schedule Monitoring: Keeping track of the project timeline and making adjustments as needed.

General contractors are accountable for the quality of the work delivered. Safety remains a top priority for all involved in the construction project.

Principal Contractor (Main Contractor) Responsibilities Under CDM 2015

The principal contractor has a central role in managing health and safety during the construction phase, primarily achieved by developing a Construction Phase Plan from the pre-construction information identified and collated by the Principal Designer. Under CDM regulations, regulation 13 sets out the duties the principal contractor has during the construction phase. Their main duty is to plan, manage, monitor, and coordinate the work of the phase. Other duties include ensuring suitable site inductions and welfare facilities are provided.

Importance of a Main Contractor

Good management of health and safety on-site is crucial to the successful delivery of a construction project. In liaison with the client and principal designer, principal contractors have an important role in managing the health and safety risks of the construction work. Understanding these main contractor roles and responsibilities is vital for effective project management.

Duties Checklist

Main contractors must:

• Ensure the project is carried out without risks to health or safety.
• Develop and update the Construction Phase Plan.
• Coordinate the implementation of relevant legal requirements.
• Ensure contractor training, information, instruction, and supervision are provided.
• Cooperate with others on site to enable them to perform their duties.
• Draw up and enforce site rules.
• Ensure compliance with welfare requirements throughout the construction phase.
• Liaise with the Principal Designer regarding any necessary information for the Health and Safety File (H&SF).
• Provide site inductions.
• Prevent unauthorised access.
• Facilitate workforce cooperation to promote health and safety measures.
• Consult the workforce on health, safety, or welfare matters.
• Ensure the project notification is displayed on site.

Competence and Resources

As with contractors, the main contractor must verify the competence and resources of their own personnel working on the project and any sub-consultants and subcontractors they engage. The team should be assessed for its capability to perform the main contractor’s duties, taking into account the specific requirements of the project. Understanding the main contractor roles and responsibilities helps in selecting the right team.

Construction Phase Plan

An absolute imperative within these main contractor roles and responsibilities is to prepare the construction phase plan prior to construction commencement and develop, communicate, implement, and amend the plan as necessary. This ensures that the work is performed without risks to health and safety, as far as reasonably practicable.

Planning and Managing the Construction Process

The principal contractor must plan, manage, and monitor the construction work to ensure it is performed safely. This includes:

• Reviewing risk assessments and method statements from contractors.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and standards.
• Monitoring work to ensure the construction phase plan is followed.
• Including emergency arrangements, fire risk assessments, site traffic management, and waste management within the construction phase plan.

Welfare Facilities and Site Rules

The main contractor must ensure that adequate suitable welfare facilities are provided for site personnel. They are also responsible for preventing unauthorised access to the site and ensuring compliance with site rules. Site inductions should highlight any specific risks and control measures. The principal contractor must also ensure that key documents, such as health and safety information, site surveys, and risk assessments, are available to other contractors.

Collaboration and Communication

Effective collaboration and communication are essential for the success of any construction project. The main contractor must ensure:

• Regular consultation with the workforce on health and safety matters.
• Clear communication channels for site rules and safety protocols.
• Coordination with the client and principal designer to manage the impact of construction activities on neighbouring sites.

Monitoring and Compliance

The principal contractor must continuously monitor the work being carried out to ensure compliance with the construction phase plan and site rules. This includes proactive monitoring through site tours, inspections, and audits, as well as reactive monitoring by investigating accidents and incidents. Contractors are required to inform the main contractor of any reportable incidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR).

Pre-Construction Phase and Information

The pre-construction phase is crucial for gathering all relevant pre-construction information. This includes health and safety files, site surveys, and design specifications. The main contractor must liaise with the principal designer and client to ensure all necessary information is collected and assessed. Proper management of pre-construction information helps identify potential risks to health and safety early in the project, allowing for better planning and risk mitigation.

Legal Responsibility and Safety Regulations

The principal contractor has a legal responsibility to ensure all work complies with safety regulations. This includes adherence to building codes and industry standards. They must ensure that all duty holders, including subcontractors and workers, are aware of their responsibilities and comply with safety regulations. Regular training sessions and safety briefings can help maintain high standards of construction site safety and minimise risks to health.

Stages of Construction

Understanding the various stages of construction is essential for a main contractor. The stages typically include:

1. Pre-Construction Phase: Involving planning, design, and procurement.
2. Construction Phase: The actual building process where the main contractor’s duties are most prominent.
3. Post-Construction Phase: Includes inspections, handover, and addressing any defects.

Cooperation Between Contractors

Effective cooperation between contractors is crucial for the smooth progression of a construction project. The principal contractor must ensure that all contractors work together harmoniously, sharing information and coordinating activities to prevent delays and ensure safety standards are maintained. This involves regular meetings, clear communication channels, and a cooperative attitude among all project participants.

Safety Responsibilities

The main contractor is responsible for ensuring the safety of all personnel on site. This includes implementing safety protocols, conducting regular safety talks, and ensuring all workers have the necessary safety tools and equipment. They must also ensure that safety standards are adhered to throughout the entire construction process.

C-Link’s software is built on the understanding of all the problems that arise when procuring. It will simplify this entire procurement process through allowing you to upload project information including specifications and drawings and then creating all the subcontract packages that will be needed for the project. You can then post the project to C-Link’s network of subcontractors and move into the tender stages easily, with an option for the software to produce a tender for you too.

Did you make notes?

Above all, a requirement for all of the documents and strategies described above is communication and collaboration. Collaboration is the new buzz word in the construction industry, working in silos just isn’t as effective as you will inevitably miss out on someone’s expertise or experience that could prove invaluable on your project. For example, ECI phases will allow contractors and trades to have an input into the design, they will share their experience of their niche with you which can only improve the project.

In conclusion, this probably sounds like a lot of paperwork and a lot of (potentially) new things to consider. But the slightly cringy quote that we have probably all been told at one point in our lives springs to mind here: “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”.

Construction is becoming increasingly regulated, but it is important to understand why these regulations and processes are being put in place – because they actually work. Whilst many of these documents and suggestions may appear on the surface to be expensive and unworthwhile investments, they are actually likely to actually save a lot of money in the long run. Efficiencies allow for time savings and therefore increase profit.

Final Word

Providing a specific definition for the role and responsibilities of a contractor can be challenging due to the multifaceted nature of their services in a construction project. However, understanding and implementing the duties and responsibilities outlined in regulations such as CDM 2015 can significantly improve the management of health and safety on construction sites. By ensuring effective planning, monitoring, and collaboration, main contractors can contribute to the successful delivery of construction projects while maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency. Recognising the main contractor roles and responsibilities is key to achieving these goals.

About Mollie Kate Cohen

Mollie is a freelance writer, having started her career as a specialist bid writer. She has a degree in English Literature and History which only solidified her passion for books and writing. She enjoys being challenged and learning new things – hence ending up working in the construction industry!