UK Construction Accreditation Schemes Compared

Which scheme do you actually need?

Start here: Ring the main contractor or check the tender documents — they'll tell you which badge they accept. In nine out of ten cases, they'll accept any SSIP-approved scheme (CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline, SMAS Worksafe or another member). That means you can hold the cheapest one for your size and be done. You only need a specific badge when a client names it — for example "Constructionline Gold" or "the Common Assessment Standard" — because those wrap extra vetting around the core SSIP health & safety assessment.

The shortlist:

• Public sector / local authority jobs: Usually accept any SSIP scheme. Constructionline is common because the directory is free to search.
• Private main contractors: Often name CHAS or SafeContractor by policy, or accept any SSIP member.
• Tier-1 / high-risk / high-value projects: May require Constructionline Gold or the Common Assessment Standard on top of SSIP.
• Facilities management / reactive maintenance: SMAS Worksafe is widely accepted and often cheapest for smaller firms.

If a tender is asking for "an accreditation", you almost certainly need one SSIP-approved scheme — not all of them. This page lays out what CHAS, SafeContractor and Constructionline actually cost, what they cover, and how to pick the cheapest option that gets you through the gate. We don't sell form-filling and no scheme pays to be listed here.

Last reviewed: 30/06/2026

What are construction accreditation schemes?

They are all ways of proving, on paper, that your health & safety is in order — so a main contractor can tick a box and let you on site. Most of them are SSIP-approved, which is the bit that makes them broadly interchangeable for the core health & safety assessment. Read more on how that recognition works in SSIP mutual recognition explained.

The differences between schemes are mostly about price, what else is bundled in (insurance checks, financial vetting, a public directory listing) and which clients ask for that specific badge by name.

Do I need CHAS or SafeContractor?

Short answer: Either one will satisfy most main contractors who just want "SSIP", so pick the cheapest for your size. The practical difference is price (SafeContractor starts at £419/yr, CHAS at £429/yr for micro firms), turnaround speed, and which badge your client asks for by name.

The schemes UK subcontractors get asked for most, side by side. Figures are typical entry-tier rates for a micro business; your renewal scales with headcount or turnover, and most prices are quoted ex-VAT with a one-off joining fee on top in year one. For the full head-to-head, see CHAS vs SafeContractor vs Constructionline.

Is SSIP enough on its own?

Short answer: For the majority of tenders, yes — one SSIP-approved scheme (CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline, SMAS Worksafe or another member) satisfies the health & safety gate. You only need more when a client demands a specific extra — the Common Assessment Standard, Constructionline Gold, or a named badge — that your current scheme doesn't cover. Read the full detail in do I need more than one accreditation?

SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) is not a scheme you join — it's the umbrella body that keeps the core health & safety assessment consistent across more than 50 member schemes. Because of an agreement called Deem to Satisfy, a valid SSIP certificate from one member is accepted by the others without re-assessment.

That means if a client just wants "SSIP", you can hold the cheapest approved scheme and be done. Where it gets more involved is the bits SSIP doesn't cover — financial vetting, the Common Assessment Standard, and client-specific questionnaires. That residual gap is the whole reason this site exists.

Read more: SSIP accreditation explained, the Common Assessment Standard question set, and CHAS accreditation explained.

How much does each one cost?

• CHAS — Standard from £429/yr +VAT, Advanced from £659, Elite from £909. Priced by headcount. Full breakdown in CHAS cost. See also CHAS accreditation explained.
• SafeContractor — Standard from £419/yr +VAT, with faster-turnaround and assisted plans from £489–£544. Priced by headcount, plus a one-off joining fee. Full breakdown in SafeContractor cost. See also SafeContractor explained.
• Constructionline — from £219/yr, priced by turnover band, across Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers. SSIP is now bundled on every tier — which changes the old advice. See Constructionline Gold vs Silver vs Bronze and Constructionline explained.
• SMAS Worksafe — an SSIP scheme that often comes in cheapest for small firms, from around £345. See what SMAS Worksafe is.

New to these names? Start with the plain-English explainers: what is SafeContractor?, what is SMAS Worksafe?, and CHAS accreditation explained.

How to pick one

1. 1
   Ask the client what they accept. Most main contractors and public buyers will name the scheme(s) they recognise, or simply say "any SSIP". This single answer usually decides it.
2. 2
   Match the cheapest qualifying scheme. If they accept any SSIP member, hold the cheapest one for your size. If they name Constructionline or the Common Assessment Standard specifically, you need that one.
3. 3
   Check what's bundled. A directory listing (Constructionline) or insurance verification can be worth the difference if it saves you a separate step elsewhere.
4. 4
   Diary the renewal. Every scheme is annual. A lapsed certificate can cost you a tender overnight — the single most common avoidable mistake.

Before you pay: watch-outs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need more than one accreditation scheme?

Usually no. If your clients accept "any SSIP" scheme, one SSIP-approved membership covers the core health & safety requirement everywhere, thanks to Deem to Satisfy. You only need a second scheme when a specific client demands a specific badge — for example the Common Assessment Standard — that your current scheme doesn't carry.

Which accreditation is cheapest?

For the smallest businesses, Constructionline's entry tier starts lowest at around £219/year, and SafeContractor's and CHAS's entry tiers start at roughly £419–£429/year +VAT. Because all three price by your size, the cheapest for you depends on your headcount or turnover — get a quote for your actual band.

Is CHAS better than SafeContractor?

Neither is "better" — both are SSIP-approved and both run a full core health & safety assessment, so for satisfying an SSIP requirement they're equivalent. Choose on price for your size, turnaround speed, and which one your clients name.

What is the cheapest construction accreditation?

For the smallest businesses, Constructionline's entry tier starts lowest at around £219/year +VAT, and SMAS Worksafe often comes in around £345/year for firms with 1–5 employees. SafeContractor and CHAS both start at roughly £419–£429/year +VAT. Because every scheme prices by your size (headcount or turnover), the cheapest for you depends on your actual band — always get a quote before comparing.

How long does SSIP accreditation last?

All SSIP-approved schemes renew annually. Your certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, and it's your responsibility to renew before it lapses — a lapsed certificate can lock you out of site overnight. Most schemes send renewal reminders 60–90 days before expiry, but diary the date yourself as a backup.

Can I use one accreditation for multiple clients?

Yes — that's the whole point of SSIP Deem to Satisfy. One valid SSIP certificate is recognised across all member schemes, so you can tender to multiple clients with the same accreditation. The exception is when a specific client demands a specific badge by name (e.g. Constructionline Gold) or an extra tier of vetting that your current scheme doesn't carry. See do I need more than one accreditation? for when you genuinely need a second scheme.