UK Construction Accreditation Schemes Compared

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.

What these schemes actually are

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.

The full comparison

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.

SSIP: the bit that matters

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 and the Common Assessment Standard question set.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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? and what is SMAS Worksafe?

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.