CHAS vs SafeContractor vs Constructionline: Which Should You Get?

All three are SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement)-approved, so for satisfying a basic SSIP requirement they are interchangeable. The honest difference is this: CHAS (the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) and SafeContractor (run by Alcumus) are assessment schemes; Constructionline is a procurement database with a public directory buyers search. Choose on price for your size, turnaround, and — above all — which badge your clients name. Don't pay for more than one unless a client forces you to.

Side by side

What each one is really for

• CHAS (Veriforce CHAS) — a long-established SSIP scheme. Founding SSIP member. Tiers run Standard → Advanced → Elite, with Elite adding the Common Assessment Standard. Priced by headcount. Detail in CHAS cost.
• SafeContractor (Alcumus) — another SSIP scheme, with plans that mostly differ on turnaround speed and assisted support rather than what's assessed. Lowest entry tier of the assessment schemes. Detail in SafeContractor cost.
• Constructionline — a database main contractors and public buyers search to find pre-vetted suppliers. SSIP is bundled on every tier; the higher tiers add standing checks and the Common Assessment Standard. Detail in Constructionline Gold vs Silver vs Bronze.

How to choose without overpaying

1. 1
   Get the requirement in writing. Ask each client which scheme(s) they accept. "Any SSIP" is the magic phrase — it means you can hold the cheapest one.
2. 2
   Price your actual size. CHAS and SafeContractor scale by headcount; Constructionline by turnover. The "from" prices rarely apply once you add staff or revenue.
3. 3
   Avoid duplicate SSIP. If you already hold one SSIP scheme, Deem to Satisfy means a new client should accept it without you buying a second.

Frequently asked questions

Is CHAS or SafeContractor better?

For meeting an SSIP requirement, neither is better — both are SSIP-approved and run a full core health & safety assessment, so they're equivalent on that score. Decide on entry price for your headcount, how fast you need the certificate, and which one your clients name.

Can I use Constructionline instead of CHAS?

If your client accepts "any SSIP" scheme, yes — Constructionline includes SSIP on every tier. If your client specifically names CHAS, you need CHAS. Always confirm what the client will accept before switching.

Do these schemes recognise each other?

Yes, for the core health & safety assessment. All three are SSIP members, so a valid certificate from one is accepted by the others under Deem to Satisfy. That recognition does not extend to financial vetting or the Common Assessment Standard — those are separate.