Construction, alteration and demolition of structures
Field of activity No. 8 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Specific expertise set by law (education, experience, certification).
- Vázaná živnost
- Field No. 8
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Construction, alteration and demolition of structures is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act, authorising the realisation, reconstruction and demolition of structures as a construction entrepreneur or general contractor. It requires evidencing professional qualification under Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act; the governing framework is Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.
Professional qualification under Section 24 and Annex 2 to Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (within the framework of Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24) – it is sufficient to meet one of the following variants:
1) authorisation or entry in the list of registered persons under Act No. 360/1992 Coll., on the practice of the profession of authorised architects and on the practice of the profession of authorised engineers and technicians active in construction (authorised architects, engineers and technicians active in construction – CKAIT/CKA);
2) university education in a master's study programme and field of study focused on construction or architecture + 3 years of practice in carrying out structures;
3) university education in a bachelor's study programme and field of study focused on construction or architecture + 5 years of practice in carrying out structures;
4) higher professional education in a field of study focused on construction + 5 years of practice in carrying out structures;
5) secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in a field of study focused on construction + 5 years of practice in carrying out structures;
6) documents under Section 7(5)(a) to (e) of the Trade Licensing Act (recognition of professional qualification).
Clean criminal record: yes (Section 6 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). Medical fitness: no. Liability insurance: not required here by law. Professional qualification may also be evidenced through a responsible representative under Section 11 (one person may act as a responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs).
Examples of activities
- realisation of building structures (detached houses, residential and office buildings)
- construction of engineering and transport structures (roads, networks, bridges)
- reconstructions, rebuilds and modernisation of buildings
- carrying out changes to completed structures (extensions, additional storeys, building modifications)
- demolition (pulling down and tearing down) of structures
- activity of a construction entrepreneur as the general contractor of a structure
- providing professional management of the carrying out of a structure (site manager)
- earthworks and excavation works as part of the realisation of a structure
What the trade is and what it is for
The trade Construction, alteration and demolition of structures is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. It authorises you to commercially realise structures, carry out their changes and demolish (tear down) them – in effect, to build a house, reconstruct a building or demolish an old structure. In practice this trade covers the role of the so-called construction entrepreneur and general (main) contractor of a structure, who manages the structure as a whole and is responsible for its realisation.
It is one of the most important construction trades. Without this licence, structures cannot be built as a contractor on the basis of a contract for work – the Building Act assumes that a structure is carried out by a construction entrepreneur who holds a trade licence for the given activity and provides professional management of the carrying out of the structure.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
This trade covers in particular:
- construction of building structures (detached houses, residential, civic and industrial buildings),
- construction of engineering and transport structures (roads, bridges, utility networks),
- changes to completed structures – extensions, additional storeys and building modifications,
- reconstructions and modernisation of buildings,
- demolition of structures (demolition, tearing-down works),
- providing the function of site manager and professional management of the structure.
Where the boundaries lie. This trade is not the same as Project activity in construction (a separate regulated trade in Annex 2), which covers the preparation of project documentation and the design of structures. Construction is about the physical realisation, project activity about the design and documentation. If you want to do both, you need both trades.
Watch also the relationship to craft construction trades (bricklaying, roofing, carpentry, plumbing, the installation of dry construction, etc. from Annex 1). Individual craft works on a structure are notified as the relevant craft trade. The regulated trade “Construction” targets the comprehensive realisation of a structure and its management as a whole, typically in the position of contractor of the work. Some ancillary and finishing construction works, on the other hand, fall under an unqualified (free) trade (field no. 45 of Annex 4 “Preparatory and finishing construction works, specialised construction activities”). If the classification of a specific activity is unclear, always turn to the Trade Licensing Office.
Statutory conditions for obtaining it
You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act – full legal capacity (usually from 18 years of age) and a clean criminal record (for Czech citizens, the office obtains the extract from the Criminal Records itself).
Because this is a regulated trade, you must additionally evidence professional qualification. For this trade it is set out separately in Annex 2 and under Section 24 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (the governing framework is Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24). Unlike craft trades, it cannot be replaced merely by practice – you must meet one of the specific variants:
| Variant | Education / qualification | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | authorisation or entry in the list of registered persons under Act No. 360/1992 Coll. (CKAIT/CKA) | – |
| 2 | university – master's programme, field of construction or architecture | 3 years |
| 3 | university – bachelor's programme, field of construction or architecture | 5 years |
| 4 | higher professional education in a field focused on construction | 5 years |
| 5 | secondary education with the maturita in a field focused on construction | 5 years |
| 6 | documents under Section 7(5)(a) to (e) (recognition of professional qualification) | as recognised |
The required practice is understood as practice in carrying out structures. If you do not meet the professional-qualification conditions yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 – a person who has the qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade (one person may be a responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs).
How to notify the trade step by step
- Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF). As the subject of business, state “Construction, alteration and demolition of structures”.
- Submit the notification. In person at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office / CRM), at a Czech POINT contact point, or electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal.
- Evidence professional qualification – a diploma, certificate, proof of authorisation (CKAIT/CKA) or confirmation of practice, or appoint a responsible representative.
- Pay the administrative fee – CZK 1,000 on first entry into business, electronically CZK 800.
- Wait for the entry. Where the notification is flawless, the Trade Licensing Office enters the trade in the Trade Register and issues an extract within 5 working days. The trade licence arises on the day of notification (once the conditions are met).
You will find the detailed general procedure in the guide how to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- a completed Unified Registration Form (URF),
- proof of professional qualification under Annex 2 (diploma / authorisation / confirmation of practice), and where applicable the documents of the responsible representative and their declaration,
- proof of a clean criminal record (for Czech citizens arranged by the office),
- administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (electronically CZK 800).
Frequently asked questions
Is an apprenticeship certificate enough, as with a craft?
No. This is a regulated trade where qualification is evidenced by specific education in construction or architecture (at least the maturita) and the prescribed practice, or by authorisation. A mere apprenticeship certificate or general practice is not sufficient here.
What if I have neither the education nor authorisation, but want to do business in construction?
You may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification. You then carry on the business yourself, with the responsible representative vouching for the professional management.
Is it the same as project activity in construction?
It is not. Project activity in construction (a separate regulated trade) is about project documentation and the design of structures. Construction is about their realisation and demolition. You need separate trades for both activities.
How much practice must I evidence?
It depends on the education: for a university master's degree in construction/architecture 3 years, for a university bachelor's degree, higher professional education and a secondary school with the maturita 5 years of practice in carrying out structures. With CKAIT/CKA authorisation, practice is not evidenced separately.
When can I start building?
The trade licence arises on the day of notification, provided the conditions are met. The Trade Licensing Office usually issues the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.