CHAS Accreditation Cost (2026): Full Breakdown for UK Contractors
CHAS accreditation typically costs between £400 and £3,500+ per year, depending on your company size and the level you choose (Standard, Advanced, or Elite).
Additional costs may include training, documentation, and health & safety support.
What Affects CHAS Accreditation Cost?
CHAS pricing is based on:
- Number of employees
- Level of accreditation
- Risk profile of your business
The larger your business and the higher the level, the more you will pay.
CHAS Accreditation Levels Explained
CHAS Standard (Entry Level)
- Health & safety assessment
- SSIP accreditation
Suitable for most small contractors
CHAS Advanced
- Includes Standard
- Adds PAS 91 requirements
Often needed for larger contracts.
CHAS Elite (Highest Level)
- Includes Advanced
- Aligns with Common Assessment Standard (CAS)
- Covers 13 areas, including:
- Health & safety
- Environmental
- Quality
- Financial and governance
Required for many public sector frameworks
CHAS Accreditation Cost Breakdown (Guide Prices)
CHAS Standard:
- 1 person: ~£400+ VAT
- 2–4 people: ~£450+ VAT
- 5–15 people: ~£700+ VAT
- Larger companies: £1,000+
CHAS Advanced:
- 1 person: ~£600+ VAT
- 2–4 people: ~£700+ VAT
- 5–15 people: £1,100+
- Larger companies: £1,800+
CHAS Elite:
- 1 person: ~£850+ VAT
- 2–4 people: ~£900+ VAT
- 5–15 people: £1,300+
- Larger companies: £2,300+
All CHAS certifications must be renewed annually
Other CHAS accreditation Costs
Training
To comply with the standard, you may be required to train your personnel in the following courses if you have not already done so.
- Asbestos: The Control of Asbestos Regulations
- Working at Height The Work at Height Regulations CHAS 2013 Ltd –
- First Aid The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations
- Fire precautions: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
- Noise and vibration: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (NAW Regs) and The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
- Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE Regs)
- Substances hazardous to Health Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs (COSHH)
- Electricity Electricity at Work Regs
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHO Regs)
- Work Equipment Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWE) Regs
Competent person safety advisor
You must employ a competent safety advisor if you employ more than five people. If you are a large organisation, you may already have one. Employing a qualified safety advisor may be prohibitive if you are a small contractor.
We are the remote competent person safety advisor for over eight hundred companies. We can offer this service to you for a fraction of the cost.
Additional Costs to Consider
CHAS is not just the fee—you may also need:
Training Costs
Depending on your work:
- Working at height
- Asbestos awareness
- First aid
- COSHH
- Manual handling
Documentation Costs
If you don’t already have:
- RAMS
- Health & safety policy
- Procedures
Competent Person (Safety Advisor)
UK law requires access to a competent health & safety advisor
This can be:
- In-house (expensive)
- Outsourced (more cost-effective)
How to Reduce CHAS Costs
To keep costs down:
✔ Choose the correct CHAS level
✔ Prepare documents before applying
✔ Keep training up to date
✔ Avoid failed applications (costs time + delays)
✔ Use expert support to get it right first time
Can You Save Money with Other SSIP Schemes?
CHAS is one of several SSIP schemes.
Alternatives include:
Some schemes are cheaper, especially for small businesses.
Please note:
- All SSIP schemes follow the same core criteria.
- Many clients still specify CHAS by name.
Is CHAS Worth the Cost?
CHAS is not legally required…
But it is often commercially essential.
Without it, you may:
- Lose contract opportunities
- Fail pre-qualification
- Be excluded from tenders.
With it, you can:
- Demonstrate compliance
- Win more work
- Reduce repeated assessments
Final Thought
CHAS accreditation costs are not just fees…
It’s an investment in:
- Compliance
- Credibility
- Business growth
Want a Clear Cost Breakdown for Your Business?
Every business is different.
The fastest way to understand your real cost is to:
- Review your size
- Check your documents
- Choose the right level.
CALL Amanda on 0800 031 5404 to get started
Get a price
Related CHAS Guides
- How to get CHAS accreditation
- What is CHAS accreditation
- CHAS assessment criteria checklist
- CHAS accreditation cost
- Common reasons CHAS fails
- CHAS v constructionline
- Do I need to be a CHAS-accredited contractor
- CHAS registration
- CHAS renewal
- SSIP accreditation and CHAS
- CHAS deem to satisfy
- CHAS training guidance
- Quick guide to CHAS
- CHAS support
Frequently asked questions
How much does CHAS accreditation cost?
CHAS accreditation costs vary depending on your company’s size and the level selected. Smaller contractors usually pay less, while larger businesses and higher levels, such as CHAS Advanced or CHAS Elite, cost more.
What affects the cost of CHAS accreditation?
The cost of CHAS accreditation is mainly determined by the number of employees, the chosen accreditation level, your business risk profile, and whether you need additional support with documents, training, or competent person advice.
What are the CHAS accreditation levels?
CHAS offers different levels, including CHAS Standard, CHAS Advanced and CHAS Elite. Standard focuses on health and safety and SSIP. Advanced includes wider checks such as PAS 91. Elite is aligned with the Common Assessment Standard.
Are there extra costs besides the CHAS fee?
Yes. Additional CHAS costs may include training, RAMS, health and safety policies, procedures, insurance updates and competent person support if your current documents or evidence are missing or out of date.
Do I need a competent person for CHAS accreditation?
Yes. CHAS applicants normally need to show they have access to competent health and safety advice. This may be provided by an in-house safety advisor or an outsourced competent person service.
Can I reduce the cost of CHAS accreditation?
You can reduce CHAS accreditation costs by choosing the correct level, preparing documents before applying, keeping training up to date, avoiding failed submissions and considering whether another SSIP scheme is more suitable for your client’s requirements. Get support.
Is CHAS accreditation legally required?
CHAS accreditation is not a legal requirement, but many public sector organisations, main contractors and commercial clients require it before allowing contractors to tender or work on their sites.
Is CHAS worth the cost?
CHAS can be worth the cost if your clients ask for it or if it helps you access tenders and win work. For many contractors, the value lies in proving compliance and being accepted by clients more quickly. If you are not sure, ask.
