How to Start a Bricklaying & Groundworks Business in the UK (2026)
Bricklaying and groundworks are core construction trades with no licence to start — but groundworks in particular carries real safety duties, because you're often digging near buried services and working under the CDM rules. This guide covers every step in order.
Step 1 — Prove your trade and get site-ready
No legal qualification is required, but an NVQ Level 2 (bricklaying or groundworks) and a CSCS card get you on sites and unlock insurance. Groundworks adds real hazards: striking buried services (follow HSE guidance HSG47), excavations, and plant.
Step 2 — Choose your structure and register with HMRC
Sole trader or limited company, registered within 3 months of trading.
Step 3 — Register for CIS
Both trades sit squarely in construction. As a subcontractor, registering drops your deduction from 30% to 20%; pay subbies and you're a contractor filing monthly.
Step 4 — Understand CDM on bigger jobs
On most construction projects the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply — defining duties for planning, safety and coordination. On larger or multi-contractor jobs you may take on specific CDM roles, so know where you sit.
Step 5 — Get insured & set up
Public liability (essential, often £2m–£5m given the damage potential), employers' liability (legal once you hire), plant/tools cover, a business bank account, waste carrier registration for muck-away, and VAT over £90,000 (mind the reverse charge).
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Needed? |
|---|---|
| Trade licence | ❌ No licence exists |
| NVQ Level 2 + CSCS card | ✅ Expected for site work & insurance |
| HMRC registration | ✅ Sole trader or company |
| CIS registration | ✅ If you subcontract or hire |
| CDM duties | ✅ On most construction projects |
| Public liability insurance | ⚠️ Effectively essential |
| Employers' liability insurance | ✅ Legal if you employ anyone |
| Waste carrier registration | ✅ For muck-away / waste removal |
| VAT registration | ✅ Once turnover > £90,000 |
Start your groundworks business the easy way
Spark builds your exact setup checklist — CIS, the site-safety duties, insurance and waste — in the right order, with deadlines tracked. Free.
Build my free checklist →FAQ
Do I need a licence for bricklaying or groundworks? No — but CIS applies, CDM duties apply on most projects, and a CSCS card is expected on site. What's the biggest groundworks risk? Striking buried services — always locate and follow HSE guidance before digging.
Last reviewed 2026. Confirm current rules on GOV.UK and HSE before acting.