ClarusDocs
← All documents
Letters

CDM Appointment Letters: Principal Designer, Principal Contractor and Contractor

Written from experience on CTRL, Crossrail and Network Rail

Client asking for CDM appointment letters? Get them today.

These CDM appointment letter templates put the three main CDM 2015 appointments in writing: the Principal Designer, the Principal Contractor and each contractor. Each letter sets out the duties being taken on and ends with a signed acceptance.

Page 1 of the CDM Appointment Letters: Principal Designer, Principal Contractor and Contractor templateSee what you get →

Free: F10 checker →ClarusPM →

Completed except the facts only you know

£49 + VAT

£58.80 inc. VAT

  • Fills in: Appointment letters for your project, with the CDM 2015 duties set out.
  • Stays [TO CONFIRM]: Names, addresses and appointment dates.
  • A competent person must review before use.
  • Company logo in header
  • Delivered in minutes
  • Word document (.docx)
Build mine →

Template

£25 + VAT

£30 inc. VAT

Blank letter — fill in yourself

  • Word document (.docx)
  • Guidance notes included
  • Instant download
  • Use on any project
Who does what under CDM? What the client, principal designer and principal contractor each have to do, with free fact sheets.CDM 2015 explained →F10 notification guide When it’s needed, who sends it and how.Read the guide →

Prices exclude VAT: UK customers pay 20% VAT; VAT is not charged for customers outside the UK.All documents are drafts. Placeholders marked [TO CONFIRM] must be completed with your details. Check it against your contract before it’s sent.

What it's for

On a project with more than one contractor, the client must appoint a Principal Designer and a Principal Contractor in writing (regulation 5). If they do not, the client takes on those duties itself. Clear letters show who is responsible for what and make it harder for duties to fall through the gaps.

When you need it

As early as possible, before the construction phase starts. The Principal Designer is appointed at the design stage, the Principal Contractor before the construction phase begins, and each contractor when their package is let.

Who signs it

The client signs the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor letters. The Principal Contractor signs the contractor letters. Each appointee signs the acceptance block, confirming they have the skills, knowledge, experience and organisational capability for the role.

What's inside

  • Letter 1: appointment of the Principal Designer under regulation 5(1)(a), listing the duties in regulations 11 and 12
  • Letter 2: appointment of the Principal Contractor under regulation 5(1)(b), listing the duties in regulations 12, 13 and 14
  • Letter 3: appointment of a contractor, listing the duties in regulation 15
  • An acceptance block on each letter

FAQ

Do I need these on a single-contractor job?
The Principal Designer and Principal Contractor appointments are needed only where there is, or will be, more than one contractor. A contractor appointment is still good practice.
Can the Principal Contractor appoint contractors?
Yes. Letter 3 is written to be sent by the Principal Contractor to each contractor it appoints.
Where can I find guidance on the duties?
HSE publication L153, Managing health and safety in construction, explains the CDM 2015 duties.
What is [TO CONFIRM]?
Details only you know: the names and addresses of the people you are appointing, and the appointment dates. We never guess these. They appear as highlighted [TO CONFIRM] placeholders, and the pack opens with a list of every one, so you can complete them before the letters are sent.
Can I edit the document?
Yes. Both options are Word documents you can edit freely.
Do I still need to review it?
Yes. A competent person must check every document against the actual site and works before it is used. ClarusDocs gives you a complete first draft, not a substitute for that check.

Related documents

Browse all documents →