Building Safety Act Principle Designer - what to do if DIY build?

[Reejoc]

Building a small oak framed orangery - completely DIY except for electrician

I wanted to hire a structural engineer to check my design / do beam calcs but they are saying:

"since the BSA can in to play, we would be considered the PD (different to the CDM PD, confusing named the same thing) and as such would have all the obligations including ensure the building meets all regs, including fire, access, etc.

Because of this our insurers ask that we avoid any projects without architects."

This legislation didn't exist the last time I did an extension. Yet more red tape strangling this country and bit of a killer for DIY builds! Any ideas on how to get calcs done, which I'd really like to do for piece of mind?

 

[^woody^]

DIY does not invoke the need for a PD, as there is only one designer and contractor.

Appointing occasional trades or a professional of some sort, does technically create a situation, even if brief of there potentially being more than one contractor or designer. This is a grey area, as the Act is really intended for large commercial projects, and it's unclear if the DIYer is a designer or contractor anyway.

Appointing an SE does not automatically make them the PD, as there is no team of other designers to manage or coordinate. They merely become a designer.