Subcontractors · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

Pre-Qualification Questionnaire

A questionnaire sent to prospective subcontractors to assess their competence, experience, insurance, and health and safety arrangements before appointment.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CDM 2015 Reg 8 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	CDM 2015 Reg 8 + MHSWR 1999 + HSWA 1974
CDM 2015 duty	CDM 2015 Regulation 8 places a duty on every person who appoints a contractor or designer to satisfy themselves that the appointee has the skills, knowledge, experience, and (where relevant) the organisational capability to fulfil the role. The PQQ is the documented evidence of this pre-appointment check.
What PQQ covers	1. Company details and legal status. 2. Health and safety policy, competence, and track record. 3. Financial standing and references. 4. Insurance details (EL, PL, PI). 5. CIS registration status. 6. CSCS card compliance. 7. Environmental and quality management. 8. Relevant experience and references.
Proportionality	CDM 2015 guidance emphasises that PQQ scrutiny should be proportionate to the scale and complexity of the work. A one-person specialist trade on a domestic project requires less rigour than a major structural subcontractor on a large project.
Accreditation	Recognised accreditation schemes (CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor, Achilles UVDB) can reduce duplication — these schemes pre-assess H&S competence to a defined standard.

1. The PQQ — Competence Verification Before Appointment

The pre-qualification questionnaire is the starting point for every subcontractor engagement. It provides the documented basis for the principal contractor's decision that a subcontractor is competent — meeting the CDM 2015 Regulation 8 duty to verify skills, knowledge, experience, and organisational capability. Without this documented check, the PC has no evidence that it has met its CDM duty, and faces significant exposure if a subcontractor's incompetence leads to injury.

The PQQ is also the first stage of supply chain risk management — identifying early whether a subcontractor has adequate insurance, a suitable H&S track record, financial stability, and the right qualifications. Problems identified at PQQ stage are far easier to address than problems discovered mid-project when a subcontractor is already on site.

Recognised accreditation schemes (CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor) can satisfy CDM H&S competence checks — avoid duplication

2. PQQ — Sections to Cover

Section	Detail
Company details	Legal name, registered address, company number, VAT number, UTR, CIS status.
H&S policy	Copy of current H&S policy. Date signed by director. H&S accreditation (CHAS/SafeContractor/Constructionline).
H&S performance	RIDDOR reportable incidents in last 3 years. Prohibition/improvement notices in last 5 years. HSE prosecutions in last 5 years.
RAMS capability	Ability to produce method statements and risk assessments. Sample RAMS for similar works.
Insurance	Employers Liability (minimum £5m). Public Liability (minimum £5m or as specified). Professional Indemnity (if applicable).
Financial	Latest accounts. Satisfactory credit check result. References from clients for similar work.
Qualifications	CSCS card policy. Key personnel qualifications. Trade body membership.
Experience	Three comparable projects. Client references. Named site manager and H&S contact.
Declaration	Signed by director/principal. Dated.

Common Mistakes

Appointing subcontractors without a completed PQQ

The most common failure is the absence of any pre-appointment competence check — decisions made on price and availability without any documented verification of competence. CDM 2015 Reg 8 imposes a legal duty on the PC to verify competence before appointment. A verbal assurance that 'they're a good firm — I've used them before' is not documented evidence.

Using a PQQ but never reviewing the responses

A PQQ that is completed but filed without review is a form-filling exercise. The PQQ must be reviewed: are the insurance levels adequate? Does the H&S track record raise concerns? Is the accreditation current? Adverse PQQ responses must be followed up before appointment.

Not updating PQQs for returning subcontractors

A subcontractor approved on a previous project may have changed significantly: insurance may have lapsed; key personnel may have left; their H&S record may have deteriorated. PQQs should be refreshed annually or for each new project.

Setting PQQ requirements disproportionate to the contract value

Requiring a sole-trader roofer on a small residential project to provide audited accounts, ISO 9001 certification, and a 5-year RIDDOR history is disproportionate and will exclude competent small businesses. Proportionality is explicitly part of the CDM guidance.

Accepting accreditation certificates that have expired

CHAS, SafeContractor, and Constructionline accreditations have annual renewal dates. An expired accreditation certificate does not meet the CDM competence check requirement. Always check the validity date on the certificate.

3. Frequently Asked Questions

Which accreditation schemes satisfy CDM 2015 H&S competence requirements?▾

The CDM 2015 L153 guidance acknowledges that established third-party accreditation schemes can provide a reasonable basis for competence checks. Widely recognised UK schemes include: CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme); Constructionline; SafeContractor (Alcumus); Achilles UVDB; SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) member schemes. SSIP schemes have a mutual recognition framework — a CHAS certificate should be accepted by a Constructionline registrar and vice versa.

Must a PQQ be completed even for very short-duration work?▾

CDM 2015 Reg 8 applies to all appointments — there is no de minimis threshold. However, the guidance is explicit that the assessment should be proportionate to the work. A one-day specialist task may require only confirmation of basic competence rather than a full multi-section PQQ. The minimum check for any subcontractor should be: confirmation of competence for the specific task; current EL insurance; CDM 2015 Reg 8 compliance.

Can PQQ responses be accepted electronically?▾

Yes. Electronic submission of PQQ responses is standard practice. Many companies use procurement portals (Constructionline online, Bravo Solutions, ProActis) to manage subcontractor PQQs digitally. The key requirement is that responses are genuine, that supporting documents are current originals or certified copies, and that the declaration is signed by an authorised director or principal.

How long should PQQ records be retained?▾

PQQ records should be retained for the duration of the project plus at least 6 years (the standard limitation period for contract claims). For projects where personal injury claims might arise, records should be retained for longer — as personal injury claims can be brought up to 3 years from the date the claimant knew of the injury and its cause. H&S and CDM-related records: retain for minimum 5 years post-project.

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