Client-side CDM
Meet your CDM duties with confidence
The CDM Regulations 2015 put legal duties on clients of construction work. Onyx gives clear, practical client-side support from the first idea to handover.
Quoted for your project, with the costs explained first
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 place legal duties on clients undertaking construction projects. Whether you are planning a refurbishment, an extension, a maintenance project or a new build, Onyx gives practical client-side CDM support to help you understand your responsibilities, reduce risk and stay compliant throughout the project.
Our role is to give clear, practical advice that helps you make informed decisions and supports safer construction, alongside your project management and design team.
Client-side CDM
The four client responsibilities
Appoint competent duty holders
Make sure the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor are appointed where required, and are up to the job.
Provide pre-construction information
Pass on what designers and contractors need to know about the site and the building.
Allow time and resources
Give the project enough time and resources to be planned and delivered safely.
Make suitable arrangements
Make sure arrangements are in place for managing health and safety throughout the work.
Client-side CDM services
- Client CDM advisor
- CDM duty holder support
- CDM Regulations guidance
- Pre-construction information reviews
- Design risk reviews
- Principal Designer support
- Project risk workshops
- Construction health and safety advice
- Health and safety file reviews
- Client compliance reviews
- Contractor coordination
- Project assurance
When CDM applies
CDM applies to most construction projects, including:
- Refurbishments
- Extensions
- New build developments
- Internal alterations
- Planned maintenance
- Roofing projects
- Building services upgrades
- Compliance improvement works
What you receive
Every project is different, but support may include:
- Independent CDM advice
- Client duty guidance
- Project risk reviews
- Design review support
- Principal Designer liaison
- Compliance reviews
- Meeting attendance
- Practical recommendations
- Executive summary reports
- Ongoing project support
Why it matters
Supporting safer construction
Good CDM is about more than compliance. It is about spotting risks early, communicating well and making sure projects are planned, managed and delivered safely.
Many organisations only deliver construction projects occasionally and may not be familiar with their duties. Onyx works alongside clients, designers and contractors to keep projects moving while meeting the regulations.
FAQs
Client-side CDM: your questions
What are the CDM Regulations?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 set out the legal responsibilities of clients, designers and contractors, so construction projects are planned, managed and delivered safely.
Does every construction project need CDM?
Most construction projects come under the CDM Regulations, although the duties vary with the type, size and complexity of the work.
What are my duties as a client?
Clients must make suitable arrangements for managing health and safety, appoint competent duty holders where required, provide pre-construction information and make sure there is enough time and resources.
Can Onyx act as my client-side CDM advisor?
Yes. Onyx gives independent client-side CDM support to help you understand and meet your legal duties throughout the project.
Do you work alongside Principal Designers and Principal Contractors?
Yes. We work with Principal Designers, Principal Contractors and project teams to support communication, risk management and compliance throughout construction.
Related services
Support at every stage
Ready to understand your estate better?
Book a free estate review. Shaun will look at where you are now, what matters most and where independent assurance can help, with no obligation.


