Free Pre-Construction Information Checklist

Pre-Construction Information Checklist FAQs

• Is this Pre-Construction Information Checklist free?

  Yes. It is free to download, with no sign-up and no email address needed. Select Download the Word checklist and the file downloads straight away.

• What format is the checklist?

  A Microsoft Word document (.docx) of 10 A4 pages, with no macros. It has project details on the first page, a set-up page with responsibility notes, ten numbered review sections, a practical final review, an outstanding actions table, key references and a completed / reviewed record. Each prompt is a Word content control, and each check has tick boxes with space for the evidence, reference or action. The document is not locked, so it can be adapted, printed, or saved as a PDF once completed.

• What is Pre-Construction Information under CDM 2015?

  Information already held by the client, or reasonably obtainable by or on the client’s behalf, that is relevant to the construction work, appropriately detailed and proportionate to the risks. It covers the project, its planning and management, health and safety hazards and how they will be addressed, and relevant information in any existing Health and Safety File (regulation 2(1) (opens in a new tab)).

• Who is responsible for providing Pre-Construction Information?

  The client has the main duty (regulation 4(4) (opens in a new tab)). On multi-contractor projects, the Principal Designer assists the client and, so far as within its control, provides PCI promptly and in a convenient form (regulation 11(6) (opens in a new tab)); the client’s own duty continues. For a domestic client, the duty is carried out by the contractor, the Principal Contractor or, by written agreement, the Principal Designer (regulation 7(1) (opens in a new tab)).

• Is Pre-Construction Information required on a single-contractor project?

  Yes. The client’s Regulation 4(4) duty applies on single-contractor projects too. There is no Principal Designer appointment requirement where there is only one contractor, so the client should liaise with the contractor and any designer to provide the information they need (L153 (opens in a new tab), Appendix 2, paragraph 7).

• What should Pre-Construction Information include?

  Proportionate information about the project, the planning and management of the project, relevant health and safety hazards and how significant hazards are being addressed, and relevant information from any existing Health and Safety File. What is relevant depends on the project; not every project needs every category.

• Does all PCI need to be available before design starts?

  No. Designers should receive relevant information early enough to take it into account, but HSE recognises it may not be possible to provide it all at once; it should then be provided as soon as it becomes available (L153 (opens in a new tab), Appendix 2, paragraph 9(b)).

• Does PCI need to be one document?

  No. CDM 2015 does not prescribe a specific format. The information can be one document or an organised set of information, provided it is relevant, proportionate and usable.

• Does Pre-Construction Information need to be formally approved?

  CDM 2015 does not create a universal requirement for PCI to be formally approved or accepted by the client, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor or another duty holder. Projects may use review or approval processes for contractual or management reasons.

• What happens if information is missing?

  Assess whether the gap is significant and what additional information is reasonably needed, then take reasonable steps to obtain it where necessary, for example through a relevant survey or investigation (L153 (opens in a new tab), Appendix 2, paragraph 8). A gap does not automatically mean a survey must be commissioned: the response should be proportionate. Record who is obtaining it and when it is needed.

• When should designers receive Pre-Construction Information?

  Designers seeking appointment need enough information to understand the work. Appointed designers need relevant PCI early enough to take it into account when preparing or modifying designs, with updates as they become available (regulation 9(2) (opens in a new tab); L153 (opens in a new tab), Appendix 2, paragraphs 9 and 10).

• When should contractors receive Pre-Construction Information?

  Contractors being considered for appointment need sufficient information in time to understand the nature of the work. Appointed contractors need the information to plan, manage and monitor their work (L153 (opens in a new tab), Appendix 2, paragraph 9).

• Is PCI the same as the Construction Phase Plan?

  No. PCI provides a basis for preparing the Construction Phase Plan, which sets out the health and safety arrangements for the construction phase. On multi-contractor projects, the Principal Designer passes relevant PCI to the Principal Contractor for the plan (regulation 12(3) (opens in a new tab)).

• Does PCI need to be updated during the project?

  Yes. PCI should be gathered and added to as the design and planning progress; preliminary information gathered at the start is unlikely to be sufficient (L153 (opens in a new tab), Appendix 2, paragraph 4). CDM 2015 does not set a fixed review frequency, so update and provide information when the project changes.

• What changes for domestic clients?

  The domestic client’s Regulation 4 duties, including the PCI duty, are carried out by the contractor where there is one contractor, or by the Principal Contractor where there is more than one, or by the Principal Designer where there is a written agreement that it will fulfil them (regulation 7(1) (opens in a new tab)). The householder does not administer PCI personally.