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Pre-construction checklist

The contractor's check that a job is ready to start on site, filled in on a phone in the weeks before the start. It lists each permit and approval with its reference, dates and status (building permit or building regulations approval, planning or zoning, street and right-of-way, utility permits), then the contract, insurance and bonds, drawings issued for construction, surveys and utility locates with the ticket reference, the existing condition of neighbours and the public road with photos, site set-up, safety documents, notifications and the neighbours. It counts what is not ready and gives a ready or not ready result. It is not the client's pre-construction information, and the full record of a neighbouring building belongs in a schedule of condition.

For contracts managers, project managers and site managers at builders and contractors, in the UK or the US, who want one record showing that permits, surveys, set-up and safety documents are in place before the first machine arrives.

Works for the UK and the US. Choose the country on the first page: UK jobs see the CDM 2015 notification thresholds and welfare points, US jobs see the utility locate and jobsite toilet notes.

  • Every permit and approval with issuer, reference, dates and conditions, with those not yet issued counted
  • Utility locate or search reference, plus photos of the marks
  • Existing condition of neighbours and the public road as areas with GPS, photos and a measure from photo
  • UK notification worked out from the CDM 2015 regulation 6 thresholds, with the F10 reference
  • Items not ready counted on each page and overall, with a ready or not ready result
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What should be on a pre-construction checklist?

It is useful when every line has evidence behind it: a permit reference and date rather than a tick, a locate ticket number, photos of the neighbour's cracked wall taken before your first lorry arrived. Anything not ready gets an owner and a date, so the start date is a decision rather than a hope.

Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 27 October 2026 against Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, regulation 6, notification, HSE, F10 notification of construction project, 29 CFR 1926.651, Excavations: specific requirements (eCFR) and 49 CFR part 196, protection of underground pipelines from excavation activity (eCFR).

How to use a pre-construction checklist

Start it when the start date is fixed, and finish it at the last site visit before the start.

  1. Project and country

    Enter the site, client, contractor, scope and planned start, and choose the UK or the US so the right notes show.

  2. Permits and approvals

    Add each permit or approval with who issues it, the reference, the dates, its status and any conditions that affect the start. Attach a copy.

  3. Contract and surveys

    Check the contract, insurance, bonds, drawings and programme. Record the surveys and the utility locate reference, and photograph the existing condition of neighbours and the road.

  4. Site set-up and safety documents

    Check fencing, signs, welfare, temporary power and water, access, storage and waste, then the safety plan, emergency plan, risk assessments and induction.

  5. Notifications and start

    Work out whether a UK project is notifiable and record the F10, or note the first US inspection to book. Record the neighbour letter and the confirmed start date.

  6. Result and sign-off

    Check the items not ready, add an action for each with an owner and date, record the decision and sign.

What makes a pre-construction checklist useful

Permits and approvals: status, reference, dates and conditions that affect the start

Street, highway or right-of-way permit: licence for the new site access crossover on Ashcombe Lane, local highway authority, ref HWY-EXAMPLE-0077, applied 21 Sep, status applied, waiting. Until issued, deliveries use the existing field gate with a banksman. Action: chase by 16 Oct, H. Pritchard.

Fictional example. Record the actual evidence and approved arrangements for your job.

A common recording mistake

Ticking 'permits in place' for the planning approval while a pre-commencement condition, such as tree protection fencing, has not been discharged, so the first day's digging breaches the permission.

What happens next

Close the open actions, record the decision and the confirmed start date, and take the checklist to the pre-start meeting.

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Every question in the pre-construction checklist template

The contractor's checklist before starting on site, for the US or the UK: permits and approvals with references and dates, contract, insurance and bonds, drawings issued for construction, surveys and utility locates with the ticket reference, existing condition of neighbours and the public road with photos, site set-up (fencing, signage, welfare, temporary power and water, access and storage), safety documents, notifications (UK F10 with the CDM 2015 reg 6 thresholds worked out, US building department inspections), neighbours and the start date. Counts what is not ready and gives a ready or not ready result. 9 sections and 147 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.

Make it your own: every question is editable

This is a starting point, not a fixed form. Once it is in your SiteSurvey account you can reword any question, add or remove questions, sections and answer options, and add your own logo, so it fits the way your team works and the jobs you do.

Details you only enter once

Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.

  • Project: the project name
  • Site address: the site address, from the space or the project
  • Client or owner: the project's customer

Project

  • ProjectShort answer

    Filled in from the project in SiteSurvey.

    Fills in from the project name
  • Site addressShort answer
    Fills in from the site address, from the space or the project
  • Client or ownerShort answer
    Fills in from the project's customer
  • Location (GPS)Short answer
  • Checklist date*Date
  • Checked by*Short answer
  • Contractor*Short answer
  • Country*Choose one
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • Other
  • What is being built*Notes

    Buildings, storeys, units, main phases.

  • Planned start on site*Date
  • Planned duration (weeks)Number
  • GuidanceWhat this checklist is for. The contractor's check that everything needed to start on site is in place: permits, contract, insurance, drawings, surveys, site set-up, safety documents and notifications. It does not grant or replace any permit or approval; the issuing authority does that.

Permits and approvals

  • GuidanceEnter each permit and approval this job needs, with the reference and dates. Which ones you need depends on the local authority or building department.
  • Permits and approvals
    Repeat for each permit. Each one asks:
    • Permit or approval*Choose one
      • Building permit (US)
      • Building regulations approval (UK)
      • Planning permission or zoning approval
      • Planning conditions to discharge before starting
      • Street, highway or right-of-way permit
      • Road closure or traffic order
      • Utility connection or work permit
      • Demolition permit
      • Tree work consent
      • Stormwater or erosion control permit
      • Hoarding, scaffold or skip licence
      • Other
    • NameShort answer
      Shown when “Permit or approval” is “Other”
    • Issued byShort answer
    • ReferenceShort answer
    • Status*Choose one
      • Issued or discharged
      • Applied, waiting
      • Not yet applied
      • Not needed
    • AppliedDate
    • IssuedDate
      Shown when “Status” is “Issued or discharged”
    • Expires or must start byDate
    • Conditions that affect the startNotes

      For example working hours, tree protection before any work, inspections to book.

    • Copy of the permit or approvalPhotos
  • Permits listedWorked out by the form
  • Not yet issuedWorked out by the form

Contract, insurance and drawings

  • Contract or order signed by both partiesChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Insurance certificates received and in dateChoose one

    For example contractor's all risks or builder's risk, public or general liability, employer's liability or workers' compensation, as the contract asks.

    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Bonds or guarantees in place, if the contract asks for themChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Drawings issued for construction (latest revision)Choose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Specification and schedules issuedChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Programme or schedule agreedChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Pre-construction information or owner's reports receivedChoose one

    Surveys, asbestos information, existing drawings, ground reports.

    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Subcontracts and orders placed for the first tradesChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Drawing register revisionShort answer
  • First insurance expiry dateDate
  • Not ready on this pageWorked out by the form

Surveys and existing conditions

  • Topographic or measured surveyChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Ground investigation or soils reportChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Buried services located and marked before any diggingChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Overhead lines identifiedChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Trees and protected features identifiedChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Existing condition of neighbours and the public road recorded with photosChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • GuidanceUS. Before opening an excavation, the estimated location of underground utilities is determined and the utility companies or owners are asked to locate them (29 CFR 1926.651(b)). Request locates through the 811 one-call system: federal pipeline rules require an excavator to use an available one-call system before digging (49 CFR 196.103). When you must call, and any exemptions, are set by state law.
    Shown when “Country” is “United States”
  • GuidanceUK. HSE guidance HSG47, Avoiding danger from underground services, sets out three parts of a safe system of work: planning the work, locating and identifying buried services, and safe excavation. Get the utility records and scan before you dig.
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Locate ticket or utility search referenceShort answer
  • Date requestedDate
  • Marks valid until (from the ticket)Date
  • Photos of the locate marksPhotos
  • Existing condition of neighbours and the public road
    Repeat for each area. Each one asks:
    • Area or neighbour*Short answer

      For example No. 14 boundary wall, footway along the site frontage.

    • Location (GPS)Short answer
    • Existing condition*Notes

      Cracks, broken slabs, damaged kerbs, stains. Say where and how big.

    • Largest crack or defect length (mm)Number

      Optional. Measure from photo gives an estimate; use a tape or gauge where it matters.

    • Photos of the existing conditionPhotos
    • Record shared with the owner or authority?Yes or No
  • Areas recordedWorked out by the form
  • Walk Cam: walk the site frontage and neighboursWalk Cam video with voice-to-text

    Optional. Film a guided walk-round on the SiteSurvey app.

  • Not ready on this pageWorked out by the form

Site set-up

  • GuidanceUK. The principal contractor makes sure there is a suitable site induction, steps to keep unauthorised people out, and the welfare in CDM 2015 Schedule 2 throughout the construction phase (reg 13(4)): toilets, washing facilities, drinking water, changing rooms and lockers, and somewhere to rest.
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • GuidanceUS. 29 CFR 1926.51(c) Table D-1 sets toilets at construction jobsites by headcount: 20 or less employees, 1; 20 or more, 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers; 200 or more, 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers.
    Shown when “Country” is “United States”
  • Perimeter fencing or hoarding up and secureChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Site entrance signs (site board, PPE, visitors report to office, emergency contacts)Choose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Welfare: toilets, washing, drinking water, changing and rest areaChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Temporary power, with a safe distribution boardChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Temporary waterChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Site access, haul route and traffic planChoose one

    The traffic management plan form covers the detail.

    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Materials storage and laydown areaChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Site office and first aid pointChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Wheel wash or road cleaning arrangedChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Waste and skip arrangementsChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Most workers on site at onceNumber
  • Toilets providedNumber
  • Photos of the site set-upPhotos
  • Not ready on this pageWorked out by the form

Safety documents

  • GuidanceUK. The principal contractor draws up the construction phase plan during the pre-construction phase and before setting up the site (CDM 2015 reg 12(1)); the client makes sure it is drawn up before the construction phase begins (reg 4(5)(a)). SiteSurvey has construction phase plan, site-specific safety plan and emergency action plan forms for these.
  • Construction phase plan (UK) or site-specific safety plan (US) written for this siteChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Emergency plan: alarm, routes, muster point, hospital routeChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Risk assessments and method statements for the first activitiesChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Site induction readyChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • First aid arrangements and first aidersChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Fire plan and extinguishersChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Environmental and tree protection measures in placeChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Not ready on this pageWorked out by the form

Notifications and neighbours

  • GuidanceUK notification (CDM 2015 reg 6). A project is notifiable if the construction work is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working at the same time at any point, or to exceed 500 person days. The client notifies HSE (online form F10) as soon as practicable before the construction phase begins; for a domestic client the contractor or principal contractor does it. Display the notice in the site office.
    Shown when “Country” is “United Kingdom”
  • Scheduled working days on siteNumber
    Shown when “Country” is “United Kingdom”
  • Most workers at the same timeNumber
    Shown when “Country” is “United Kingdom”
  • Total person daysNumber
    Shown when “Country” is “United Kingdom”
  • Notifiable to HSE?Worked out by the form
    Shown when “Country” is “United Kingdom” and “Scheduled working days on site” is answered
  • F10 submitted?Yes or No
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • F10 referenceShort answer
    Shown when “F10 submitted?” is Yes
  • SubmittedDate
    Shown when “F10 submitted?” is Yes
  • Notice displayed in the site office?Yes or No
    Shown when “F10 submitted?” is Yes
  • GuidanceUS. Inspections are booked with the building department that issued the permit, by the method it sets (phone line, portal or counter). Note the first one here.
    Shown when “Country” is “United States”
  • First inspection to bookShort answer

    For example footing inspection, or building control start notice.

  • How to book itShort answer
  • Neighbours told the start date, working hours and a contactChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Local authority or building department told of the start, where neededChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Utility companies told of connections and diversionsChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • First inspections booked or know how to book themChoose one
    • Acceptable
    • Action needed
    • Not checked
    • Not applicable
  • What needs doing, or why not checkedNotes
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Neighbour letter or meeting dateDate
  • Not ready on this pageWorked out by the form

Start date

  • Confirmed start on site*Date
  • Pre-start meeting date or referenceShort answer
  • Anything that must happen on day oneNotes

Readiness, actions and sign-off

  • Items needing actionWorked out by the form
  • ResultWorked out by the form
  • Actions
    Repeat for each action. Each one asks:
    • Action*Notes
    • PriorityChoose one
      • Before work starts
      • Before the first excavation
      • In the first week
      • Before the next stage
    • Who will do it*Short answer
    • Due byDate
    • Status*Choose one
      • Open
      • In progress
      • Done, checked
    • Photo when donePhotos
      Shown when “Status” is “Done, checked”
  • Actions still openWorked out by the form
  • Decision*Choose one
    • Ready to start
    • Start once the listed actions are done
    • Not ready: do not start
  • Next check or re-inspection dateDate
  • f10_missingWorked out by the form
  • ReadinessWorked out by the form
  • Summary for the clientNotes
  • Checked by nameShort answer
  • Checked by signature*Signature
  • Project manager or contracts manager nameShort answer
  • Project manager or contracts manager signatureSignature

See it filled in

A completed pre-construction checklist report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.

See completed form (PDF) ↗

Pre-construction checklist FAQs

When is a UK project notifiable to HSE?

Under CDM 2015 regulation 6, a project is notifiable if the construction work on site is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers working at the same time at any point, or to exceed 500 person days. The client notifies HSE as soon as practicable before the construction phase begins, using the online F10; for a domestic client the contractor or principal contractor does it. The notice is displayed in the site office. The form works out the result from the figures you enter.

Sources: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, regulation 6, notification and HSE, F10 notification of construction project.

Is this a checklist for applying for a building permit?

No. What you submit with a permit application is set by your local building department or building control body, so use their list. This form records the permits and approvals you already hold or are waiting for, with the reference, dates, status and any conditions that affect the start, and counts any still outstanding before you start on site.

Do I need to locate utilities before starting?

Before opening an excavation in the US, the estimated location of underground utilities is determined and the utility companies or owners are asked to locate them (29 CFR 1926.651(b)). Federal pipeline rules require an excavator to use an available one-call system before excavating (49 CFR 196.103); 811 is the one-call number, and state law sets when you must call. In the UK, HSE guidance HSG47 sets out planning the work, locating and identifying buried services, and safe excavation.

Sources: 29 CFR 1926.651, Excavations: specific requirements (eCFR), 49 CFR part 196, protection of underground pipelines from excavation activity (eCFR) and HSE, HSG47 Avoiding danger from underground services.

Why photograph the neighbours and the road before starting?

So that there is a dated record of cracks, broken kerbs and worn surfaces that were there before your work, in case anyone later says your work caused them. The form records each area with GPS, a description, photos and an estimated size from a photo, and whether the record was shared with the owner. For a full survey of a neighbouring building, use a schedule of condition.

Does the construction phase plan have to be ready before we start?

In Great Britain, yes. The principal contractor draws up the construction phase plan during the pre-construction phase and before setting up the site (CDM 2015 regulation 12(1)). The checklist asks whether it, or a site-specific safety plan on a US job, is written for this site.

Source: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, regulation 12, construction phase plan and health and safety file.

Does a completed checklist mean we are allowed to start?

No. Permission to start comes from the permits, approvals and contract themselves. The checklist shows whether those and the site set-up are in place, counts what is not ready, and records your decision with a signature, photos and a PDF report you can share.

Related

Site inspections softwarePre-construction information templatePre-start meeting templateConstruction phase plan templateSchedule of condition templateSite-specific safety plan template (US)Emergency action plan for construction sitesAll forms in the library

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