Do Domestic Jobs Need RAMS?

This is one of the most common questions we get from UK tradespeople. You're a plumber fitting a boiler, an electrician rewiring a house, or a builder doing a kitchen extension—do you really need a Risk Assessment Method Statement?

The short answer: legally, not always—but practically, often yes. Let's break it down.

What the Law Actually Says

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers must carry out risk assessments. If you're self-employed or employ others, you have legal duties to assess risks.

However, here's the nuance:

• Self-employed with no employees: You must assess risks that could affect others (including homeowners), but you don't need to write it down unless... (see below)
• Employers: If you have 5+ employees, you MUST record your risk assessments
• CDM 2015: Applies to ALL construction work, including domestic projects—though domestic clients' duties pass to the contractor

When You Definitely Need RAMS for Domestic Work

1. Working for a Main Contractor or Managing Agent

If a homeowner has hired a main contractor or project manager, they'll almost certainly require RAMS from all trades before allowing you on site. This is standard practice, regardless of project size.

2. Insurance Requirements

Many trade insurance policies require you to maintain risk assessments. Check your policy wording—you might be invalidating your cover without realizing it.

3. High-Risk Activities

Even on small domestic jobs, certain activities always warrant documented risk assessments:

• Working at height (even using a ladder)
• Electrical work
• Gas work
• Working in confined spaces (lofts, crawl spaces)
• Asbestos disturbance risk
• Hot works (soldering, welding)

4. Accreditation Schemes

If you're a member of schemes like TrustMark, Checkatrade, Gas Safe, NICEIC, or similar, your membership conditions likely require documented safety procedures.

What Should a Domestic RAMS Cover?

RAMS for domestic work doesn't need to be complicated. A practical domestic RAMS should include:

Project Details

• Property address
• Description of work
• Expected duration
• Your company details

Risk Assessment

• Hazards specific to the work (electrical isolation, working at height, etc.)
• Hazards specific to the property (asbestos age, access issues, pets, children)
• Control measures you'll implement
• PPE required

Method Statement

• Step-by-step safe working procedure
• Equipment and materials list
• Any isolation procedures
• Waste disposal arrangements

Common Domestic Work Hazards

Residential work has unique hazards that commercial sites don't:

• Occupied properties: Homeowners, children, pets present during work
• Older properties: Asbestos, lead paint, outdated electrical systems
• Access limitations: Narrow staircases, small rooms, limited parking
• Unknown services: Hidden pipes, cables, gas lines
• Customer belongings: Furniture, valuables that need protecting
• Dust and mess: Need to protect living spaces

Template: Quick Domestic RAMS Checklist

Before starting any domestic job, run through this checklist:

• ☐ Identified access and parking arrangements
• ☐ Asked about asbestos (properties pre-2000)
• ☐ Located isolation points (water, electric, gas)
• ☐ Identified who will be present during work
• ☐ Assessed working at height requirements
• ☐ Planned dust/mess containment
• ☐ Confirmed waste disposal route
• ☐ Checked insurance covers the specific work

Protecting Yourself and the Homeowner

Beyond legal requirements, RAMS protect you commercially:

• Disputes: A documented method statement shows you planned the work properly
• Insurance claims: Evidence of risk assessment strengthens your position
• Professionalism: Presenting RAMS builds customer confidence
• Callbacks: Documented procedures ensure consistent quality

Create Domestic RAMS in Minutes

You don't need to spend hours on paperwork for every domestic job. DocGen's AI RAMS generator creates professional, job-specific documentation in minutes. Simply describe your work—boiler installation, rewire, extension—and get a complete RAMS tailored to residential work.

Many of our users are sole traders and small firms who need quick, professional documentation without the admin overhead. Try our free RAMS template to see how easy it can be.