CHAS is one of the many prequalification schemes. Others include Achilles Verify and Safe Contractor, but there are dozens of them.
For over two years SiD carried out design practice assessments for CHAS but is no longer directly associated with the scheme and so able to assist you if you need help by putting you in touch with carefully screened consultants who can advise you. Contact us via the box on the right if you want help.
Consultants who provide assistance to companies with such schemes can apply to be included in the list. Contact us for more information.

Why do such schemes exist?

The law requires that anyone appointing a member of the team for construction work must make reasonable checks into their competence before appointment. The schemes carry out basic assessments to reduce administrative overheads for organisations making regular appointments. There is still a legal duty to check competence for the specific tasks to be undertaken.

Why join a scheme?

The reason will be because a client of yours, or a prospective client requires you to do so. It then becomes a contract condition. You may decide to join in the hope that this will give prospective clients more confidence.

What if I belong to CHAS but a client demands another scheme?

You will have to join the second scheme as well. They may ask similar questions of you but often have slightly different requirements and interpret the law in slightly different ways. You may find that both schemes belong to the "Safety Schemes in Procurement "or SSIP group. If this is the case you may only have to pay an admin fee to achieve cross recognition but the rules are not as simple as this would seem and the admin fee is varied from scheme to scheme and the length of registration also varies. You are advised to check carefully. If one of the schemes is not a member of SSIP you will have to go through the assessment process independently.

Need help?

Contact us to be given a list of approved consultants who can help you.