Which do I need?

Accreditation & tenders for UK subcontractors

Get approved.Get on the list.Get the work.

CHAS, Constructionline Gold, SafeContractor, ISO, NHSS and PQQs, done for you at a fixed price you see before you buy. Written by two site people with 30 years each in construction.

Fixed prices, plus VAT Gap list in 1 working day Assessor queries included
MG
Marsh Groundworks LtdGroundworks · 9 staff · Kent
Example
Supply-chain ready3 of 4 requirements met for the client's tender list
  • CHAS StandardSSIP · renews 14 Mar 2027Approved
  • Constructionline GoldCAS desktop · assessor query answeredIn assessment
  • Public liability insurance£10m · uploaded to 3 portalsDue in 23 days
  • Central Digital PlatformShare code issuedRegistered
  • ISO 9001Not required by this clientNot held
Gap list sentwithin 1 working day
Renewal trackedreminder 60 days out

Illustration with an example firm

Our documents have been accepted on schemes for

National HighwaysNational GridThames WaterUK Power NetworksSouthern ElectricTaylor WoodrowBalfour BeattyMurphyBarhaleSkanskaSurrey CCKent CCLondon boroughs
30years each on site, labourer to contracts manager
12+schemes, portals and standards covered
5 daysto submit an SSIP pack once we have your info
£299 + VATSSIP application for 1–4 staff

The accreditation ladder

Every rung opens a bigger client

Most firms climb in this order. We take you up one rung at a time on one set of policies we keep current, so you never pay twice for the same paperwork.

1Eligible

SSIP health & safety

The baseline councils, housing associations and facilities clients ask for. Recognised across SSIP member schemes.

CHASSafeContractorSMASAcclaim
2On the list

CAS and client portals

What main contractors check before adding you to a supply chain. Many now ask for Constructionline Gold as a minimum.

CL GoldCHAS EliteAvettaRISQS
3Certified

ISO and sector schemes

Management systems for frameworks and larger clients, and NHSS where your activity falls under a highways sector scheme.

ISO 90011400145001NHSS
4Winning work

Tenders and leads

Central Digital Platform, SQ/PQQs, quality answers and a weekly feed of opportunities for your trade and region.

CDPSQ/PQQPPN 006Work Finder

30-second check

Which accreditation do I need?

Tell us who's asking and we'll show you the scheme, our fixed fee and what the scheme charges.

How many staff, including directors?
Already hold an SSIP scheme?

Our recommendation

Our fee only, plus VAT at 20%, added at checkout. Scheme and certification-body fees are paid by you directly to the scheme.

View in price list

Price list · plus VAT

Fixed prices. Bought online.

Pick your staff band and the prices update. Each package page sets out exactly what's covered before you pay.

Headcount sets the starting price. Extra activities, locations and urgent deadlines are priced on the package page.

We complete the application, write any missing policies and answer the assessor's queries within the agreed support period.

SSIP CORE CRITERIA

SSIP application

CHAS Standard, SafeContractor, SMAS Worksafe, Acclaim or Once For All H&S

Buy
PAS 91

Constructionline Bronze or Silver

Question sets, insurances, corporate and professional standing

Buy
COMMON ASSESSMENT STANDARD

Constructionline Gold or CHAS Elite

Full CAS desktop assessment, with Building Safety Act modules where required

Buy
CLIENT PORTALS

Avetta, Builders' Profile, Achilles UVDB or RISQS

Registration, document upload and profile set-up to the client's requirements

Buy
IASME

Cyber Essentials preparation

Questionnaire preparation and evidence checklist. IASME's assessment fee is separate

Buy
DEEMED TO SATISFY

Each extra SSIP scheme

Added alongside another accreditation using fast-track routes

Buy

VAT at 20% is added at checkout.

Policy pack included where missing: H&S policy and arrangements, organisation chart, environmental, quality, equality, modern slavery, anti-bribery and data protection policies, and a training matrix. On its own: £245 + VAT.

What the schemes charge you

Paid by you directly to the scheme or certification body. Typical entry-level fees, ex VAT, checked November 2026. Schemes set their own prices, so check their calculator before you buy.

SchemeUsually asked for byTypical small-firm fee
CHAS Standard / Advanced / EliteCouncils, housing associations, main contractorsfrom £429 / £659 / £909 a year
Constructionline GoldMain contractors (CAS)about £749 a year, lowest turnover band
Cyber EssentialsCentral government and many public contracts£320, 0–9 staff
ISO 9001 certificationFrameworks and larger clientsabout £2,000–£3,500 year one, 1–5 staff
RISQS, Avetta, Achilles UVDBRail, Tier 1 portals, utilitiesBanded by size and services

Monthly retainers · 12-month minimum

Stay approved without thinking about it

Schemes expire, insurances lapse and portals go red. A retainer keeps it all current, with a set monthly allowance so you know exactly what's included.

Compliance Desk

Available
£89 / month + VAT
  • Renewals for the SSIP and Constructionline memberships we maintain
  • Annual policy review
  • Expiry tracking for insurances, cards and certificates
  • Routine updates

ALLOWANCE · about 1 hour a month

Subscribe

Compliance Desk Pro

Most chosen
£179 / month + VAT
  • Everything in Compliance Desk
  • Portal maintenance and short standard questionnaires
  • Full SQ/PQQs at the member rate of £295 + VAT
  • Initial response within 2 working days

ALLOWANCE · about 3 hours a month

Subscribe

Work Finder

Limited places
£299 / month + VAT
  • Everything in Compliance Desk Pro
  • Weekly opportunity alerts for your trade and region
  • 1 expression of interest a month
  • 20 target estimators contacted each quarter
  • Supply-chain portal registrations, number set in your agreement

SEARCHES · Contracts Finder, Find a Tender, Constructionline Marketplace, council portals

Enquire
Joining without an accreditation project: £195 + VAT onboarding Work Finder set-up, covering the capability statement and first portal registrations: £495 + VAT Unused allowance doesn't roll over. Extra work is priced before we start. VAT at 20% is added at checkout.

How it works

From payment to approval

Everything happens online. No site visit or meeting unless you want one.

1

Day 0

Buy online

Pay by card. Your order confirms the scheme, staff band and scope.

2

Day 0

Tell us about your firm

A short intake form: company details, activities, locations and the documents you already have.

3

Within 1 working day

Your gap list

We tell you exactly what's missing and what we'll write for you.

4

Clock starts once we have your info

We do the paperwork

We draft the policies and complete the questionnaire, using delegate access where the scheme allows it.

5

Your sign-off

You approve, we submit

Nothing goes in without your approval. We then answer assessor queries within the support period.

6

Every year

We track the renewal

Your expiry date goes in our diary. Add Compliance Desk to have it handled for you.

When the clock starts. Turnaround runs from the day we have everything we need, and pauses while we're waiting on you. Typical times: SSIP 5 working days, Constructionline Gold or CHAS Elite 10, client portals 7, SQ/PQQs 3.

No surprises

What a fixed price covers

Every package page states

  • The legal entity, schemes and activities covered
  • Whether it's registration only, application completion or audit preparation
  • The documents, questionnaire limits and revision rounds included
  • The information and evidence you need to give us
  • Published charges for extra activities, locations, upgrades and urgent deadlines

Assessor queries and decisions

  • We answer assessor queries and correct our submission within the agreed scope and support period
  • You provide accurate evidence and make any operational improvements the assessor asks for
  • The scheme or certification body makes the decision. Nobody can honestly guarantee a pass
  • We act for one bidder per tender or package and never reuse your pricing, evidence or strategy

Who does the work

Site people, not a call centre

We've each spent around 30 years in construction, from the tools to project management, across Tier 1, 2 and 3 contractors. We know what an assessor or an estimator looks for because we've sat on both sides.

Jon Smith

H&S, quality, ISO, highways and tenders. Labourer to contracts manager.

BEng CivilNEBOSHSMSTSCSCS BlackCITB TW

John Massey

Lifting operations, plant and crane-hire firms.

CPCS A61 Appointed Person

Our documents have been accepted on schemes for

  • National Highways
  • National Grid
  • Thames Water
  • UK Power Networks
  • Southern Electric
  • Taylor Woodrow
  • Balfour Beatty
  • Murphy
  • Barhale
  • Skanska
  • Surrey CC · Kent CC
  • Guildford BC · London boroughs

Shows where documents written by our team have been accepted. Not an endorsement by any of these organisations.

Questions

Before you buy

CHAS or Constructionline: which one do I need?

Ask the client what they accept. Councils and housing associations usually take any SSIP scheme, CHAS being the most common. Many main contractors want Constructionline Gold, which meets the Common Assessment Standard and includes an SSIP. Not sure? Use the checker above, or forward us the client's email and we'll tell you.

Is the scheme fee included in your price?

No. You pay the scheme or certification body directly, so the membership stays in your name. Our price covers the work of getting you through it.

Do you guarantee I'll pass?

No, and be wary of anyone who does. The assessment body makes the decision. We include answering the assessor's queries and correcting our submission within the agreed scope and support period. If the assessor needs you to change how you actually work, that part is yours, and we'll tell you exactly what's needed.

Do I need NHSS?

If your contract includes the Specification for Highways Works and your activity falls under a National Highway Sector Scheme, such as traffic management, fencing, surfacing or landscaping, you'll normally need that scheme, subject to the contract. Not every highways subcontractor needs every scheme. NHSS sits on top of ISO 9001.

CDP registration is free. What's the £195 (plus VAT) for?

Basic registration on the Central Digital Platform is free and you can do it yourself. Our pack prepares and checks the full supplier information buyers rely on: core data, connected persons, exclusions declarations and your share code, plus a standard answer set for future tenders. Since 1 April 2026, suppliers awarded notifiable below-threshold contracts (£12,000 central government, £30,000 sub-central, inclusive of VAT) must register.

Do you use AI to write it?

We work from our own library of policies and answers, written and kept current by us, and tailor it to your firm. Every document is reviewed and signed off by one of us before it reaches you.

Will you work for a competitor on the same tender?

No. We run a conflict check before accepting tender work and act for one bidder per tender or package. Your pricing, evidence and strategy stay yours.

Talk to us

Told you need it by Friday?

Tell us who's asking and by when. We'll reply within one working day with the scheme you need and the fixed price.

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