Awareness of the Building Safety Act 2022 continues to rise, but contractors face growing pressures around compliance, competence and client expectations, according to new research from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).

BESA's third annual industry survey, which invited more than 6,000 companies to participate, found that 64% of respondents were confident they could demonstrate their dutyholder responsibilities to a high standard.

Rachel Davidson, BESA’s director of specialist knowledge, stated: “Four years after the Building Safety Act came into force, more firms are building the knowledge and behaviours needed for a safer built environment. This represents real progress. We’re now moving from raising awareness to helping firms meet the assurance challenge in demonstrating their competence and compliance in practice.”

Davidson added: “However, there’s a level of frustration about information overload, commercial pressures and clients who are ‘not on the same page’. There are still firms that are not engaging with the process at any level, but their numbers are shrinking.”

Client behaviour remains a concern

Despite increased awareness, 74% of respondents reported no significant change in client behaviour since the Act came into force. Contractors highlighted ongoing concerns around procurement practices, commercial pressures and clients' understanding of their responsibilities.

To help address these challenges, BESA has published a Client's Guide to the Building Safety Act, outlining key responsibilities and practical requirements.

Smaller businesses face greater challenges

The survey also found that smaller businesses are adapting more slowly, with 21% reporting no significant changes to their practices, compared with just 5% of medium and larger organisations.

Demonstrating competence remains a key concern, with one-third of respondents identifying it as a major challenge and 40% reporting that competence issues arise frequently or occasionally.

Historic compliance and supply chain assurance also present difficulties. Only 30% felt confident they could provide evidence of competence and compliance for projects completed more than ten years ago, while around one-third reported challenges in demonstrating competence across their supply chains.

The findings highlight the need for continued industry collaboration, clearer client responsibilities and consistent approaches to demonstrating competence and compliance.

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