Guides for builders
Short, plain answers to the paperwork questions that come up on site, each with the official source and the Sitehelm tool that helps.
Health and safety
When do you need an F10?When a construction project must be notified to HSE on an F10 under CDM 2015, who sends it, when, and what goes on site. A plain guide for builders.Construction phase plan for a domestic jobEvery construction job needs a construction phase plan under CDM 2015, domestic work included. What it is, who writes it and what to put in it.How do you write a method statement and risk assessment (RAMS)?How to write RAMS for a construction task: what the law requires, HSE's five risk assessment steps, what a method statement covers, and briefing the crew.What toolbox talk topics should you cover on a building site?What a toolbox talk is, how to run one in 10 to 15 minutes, why to record who attended, and 20 topics tied to the risks on a building site.What do I have to report under RIDDOR on a building site?What a builder must report to HSE under RIDDOR: specified injuries, over-7-day injuries, dangerous occurrences and diseases. Deadlines and who reports.How do you do a COSHH assessment on a building site?How to do a COSHH assessment on a building site: what counts as hazardous, safety data sheets, the steps HSE gives, dust controls, records and reviews.How do you control silica dust on a building site?Respirable crystalline silica on building sites: where it comes from, the 0.1 mg/m3 limit, water, extraction, masks, cleaning and health surveillance.What do builders have to do about hand-arm vibration?Hand-arm vibration for builders: the 2.5 and 5 m/s2 A(8) action and limit values, exposure points, controls, health surveillance and symptoms of HAVS.What asbestos checks do you need before refurbishment or demolition?What asbestos checks to make before refurbishment or demolition: the survey, the duty to manage, suspect material, licensed work and awareness training.What does fire safety on a construction site involve?What CDM 2015 requires on fire during construction, and what HSG168 recommends on hot works, LPG, waste, alarms, escape routes and timber frame.What welfare facilities must a construction site provide?What welfare facilities a construction site must provide under CDM 2015 Schedule 2: toilets, washing, drinking water, changing, lockers and rest.
Inspections, equipment and working at height
How often does a scaffold have to be inspected?How often a scaffold must be inspected under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, who can do it, what the report must say and how long to keep it.When does an excavation have to be inspected under CDM 2015?When a competent person must inspect an excavation under CDM 2015 regulation 22, when the report is due, and the main risks and controls for builders.What are temporary works and who is responsible on site?Temporary works for builders: what counts, CDM 2015 duties, the BS 5975 temporary works coordinator, design, checking, and permits to load and strike.How often does lifting equipment need a thorough examination under LOLER?LOLER thorough examination for builders: 6 and 12 month intervals, first use, exceptional events, reports, defects and how long records are kept.When does site equipment need a PUWER inspection?PUWER inspections for site equipment: when regulation 6 requires one, who inspects, what to record, and how it differs from daily checks and LOLER.How do you use ladders and stepladders safely on site?Using ladders and stepladders safely on site, per HSE: when a ladder is right, pre-use checks, the 1 in 4 angle, securing and three points of contact.
Running the job
What should you record in a site diary?What to put in a site diary: weather, labour, plant, deliveries, visitors, instructions, delays, incidents and progress, and why it matters in a dispute.How do I put together a simple construction programme?Build a simple programme for a small job: list activities, set durations, link them, find the critical path, allow for lead times, update it weekly.How do I write an RFI on a building job?An RFI is a written question to the design team. Raise one when the drawings are unclear, keep it to one question, mark up the drawing and give a date.How do I confirm a verbal instruction in writing?Verbal instructions on site are easy to dispute later. Confirm them in writing the same day: who, when, what, the drawing, and any cost or time effect.What is the waste duty of care for builders in England?Waste duty of care for builders in England: your own waste, checking carriers, waste transfer notes, hazardous waste notes and what householders do.
Contracts, tax and getting paid
What are a payment notice and a pay less notice?A payment notice states the sum due, and a pay less notice cuts it. Who gives each, the 5 and 7 day timings, and what happens if no notice is given.What is retention and when do you get it back?Retention is money held back from each payment until the work is done and defects are fixed. How it is released, how to track it and the planned ban.How do you record daywork so you get paid for it?How to record daywork so it gets paid: get the instruction first, log labour, materials and plant each day, and get the sheet signed straight away.How does the Construction Industry Scheme work for a small builder?CIS for small builders: who registers, the 20%, 30% and 0% rates, verifying subcontractors, monthly returns and deadlines, and what CIS does not cover.When does the VAT domestic reverse charge apply to building work?When the VAT domestic reverse charge applies to building work, when it does not, the 5% disregard, what to put on the invoice and who accounts for the VAT.What does the Party Wall Act mean for a builder?The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 for builders in England and Wales: who serves notice, the notice periods, awards, and schedule of condition photos.
Measuring and estimating
How to measure a PDF drawing to scaleHow to take accurate measurements off a PDF drawing: check the scale and paper size, calibrate from a known dimension, and check before you rely on it.How many bricks and blocks per square metre?A standard UK brick wall takes about 60 bricks per m2 (half-brick) or 120 (one-brick), and blocks about 10 per m2. The sum, waste and openings explained.How to calculate how much concrete you needWork out concrete in m3 for slabs, strip footings and trench fill: worked examples, extra for over-dig and waste, and how to order ready-mix.
Building regulations
Building notice or full plans: which should you use?Building notice or full plans in England: what each is, when a notice is not allowed, timing, inspections and completion certificates.What U-values does an extension need in England?The maximum U-values for new walls, roofs, floors, windows and doors in an extension in England, from Approved Document L Volume 1, and who checks them.Part L photos for new homesWhat the Part L photographic evidence for new homes in England is, what to photograph as the work goes in, and how to get the photos to the assessor.
Run the job, not the paperwork.
Sitehelm PRO is coming soon. The first 500 to sign up get a free 1-year licence, then the founding price of £99/yr for life. 28-day money-back guarantee, and nothing renews unless you choose to.